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\"Part biography, part commentary, and part exposition, this book provides principles for everyday living and puts forth a fresh new take on the notion of leadership as, being other-centred so that we can all be the best that we can be!\"--Backcover.

When face-centered cubic (FCC) metals and alloys with low stacking fault energy (SFE) are irradiated by high-energy particles or deformed at high speed, stacking fault tetrahedra (SFTs), which are a type of vacancy cluster defect, are often formed. Therefore, SFTs were expected to form in the CoCrFeMnNi equiatomic high-entropy alloy (HEA). However, no SFT was observed in the CoCrFeMnNi HEA with high-speed plastic deformation even after annealing at 873 K. To elucidate this mechanism, the binding energy of vacancy clusters in the CoCrFeMnNi HEA was calculated based on first principles. The binding energy of the di-vacancy cluster was positive (average of 0.25 eV), while that of the tri-vacancy cluster was negative (average of − 0.44 eV), suggesting that the possibility of formation of a tri-vacancy cluster was low. The inability to form a cluster containing three vacancies is attributed to the excellent irradiation resistance of the CoCrFeMnNi HEA. However, if an extra vacancy is added to a tri-vacancy cluster (with negative binding energy), the binding energy of the subsequent tetra-vacancy cluster may become positive. This suggests that it is possible to form vacancy clusters in the CoCrFeMnNi HEA when high-energy ion or neutron irradiation causes cascade damage.

Lanthanum substituted Ni-Zn ferrite nanoparticles (Ni0.5Zn0.5LaxFe1-xO4; 0.00 ≤x≤ 1.00) synthesized by sol-gel method were presented. X-ray diffraction patterns reveal the typical single phase spinel cubic ferrite structure, with the traces of secondary phase for lanthanum substituted nanocrystals. In addition, the structural analysis also demonstrates that the average crystallite size varied in the range of 21-25 nm. FTIR spectra present the two prominent absorption bands in the range of 400 to 600 cm-1 which are the fingerprint region of all ferrites. Surface morphology of both substituted and unsubstituted Ni-Zn ferrite nanoparticle samples was studied using FESEM technique and it indicates a significant increase in the size of spherical shaped particles with La3+ substitution. Magnetic properties of all samples were analyzed using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The results revealed that saturation magnetization (Ms) and coercivity (Hc) of La3+ substituted samples has decreased as compared to the Ni-Zn ferrite samples. Hence, the observed results affirm that the lanthanum ion substitution has greatly influenced the structural, morphology and magnetic properties of Ni-Zn ferrite nanoparticles.

Introduction Intercropping has the function of promoting plant growth, improving yield and quality. Platycodon grandiflorus ( P. grandiflorus ) is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb; continuous cropping obstacles significantly inhibit its yield and quality. However, few study have established about P. grandiflorus interaction of various crops. This study provides a theoretical foundation to explore the most effective intercropping method, enhance soil utilization efficiency, and increase the yield and quality of P. grandiflorus . We conducted field experiment, P. grandiflorus monoculture (JG-JG), P. grandiflorus and Achyranthes bidentata intercropping (JG-NX), P. grandiflorus and Saposhnikovia divaricata intercropping (JG-FF), P. grandiflorus and Glehnia littoralis (JG-SS) intercropping. Additionally, we included three main intercropping crops with P. grandiflorus , Zea mays (JG-YM), Setaria italica (JG-GZ), and Glycine max (JG-DD). The soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activity, soil microorganisms, the yield and secondary metabolite content in the roots of P. grandiflorus were determined. The results showed that intercropping significantly increased the yield and quality of P. grandiflorus , and significantly reduced the incidence rate of root rot. The intercropping system enhances the physical and chemical properties of soil, soil enzyme activity, and soil microbial diversity. JG-SS intercropping significantly increased the abundance of bacteria and fungi, stimulated soil microbial communities, promoted plant growth, significantly increased yield and content of platycodin D, enhanced the complexity of microbial co-occurrence networks. This study could provide a sustainable planting system for the cultivation of P. grandiflorus , particularly the system JG-SS. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

Spark discharge plasma is an efficient means to activate methane. In this work methane was converted to olefins via a two stage recycle-plasma-catalyst reactor. A recycle spark discharge plasma reactor was employed in the first stage to actively convert methane to a mixture comprising mainly acetylene and hydrogen. The mass transfer in the pulsed spark discharge channel was strengthened by recycling part of plasma effluent to the entrance, which improved the reactivity and energy efficiency of the plasma reactor. Pd and Ni based MgAl 2 O 4 supported catalysts were employed in the second stage to selectively hydrogenate acetylene in the plasma reactor effluent. With the conversion of methane of 73 % the integration of recycle plasma and catalyst reactor may obtain a ethylene yield of 55 and 35 % on 0.3 wt% Pd-0.6 wt% Ag/MgAl 2 O 4 and 2.5 wt% Ni-7.5 wt%-Zn/MgAl 2 O 4 catalysts, respectively. Other than ethylene about 23 % of methane was transformed to C 3 –C 5 light olefins over cheap 2.5 wt% Ni-7.5 wt% Zn/MgAl 2 O 4 catalysts. Graphical Abstract

Despite centuries of investigation, bubbles continue to unveil intriguing dynamics relevant to a multitude of practical applications, including industrial, biological, geophysical, and medical settings. Here we introduce bubbles that spontaneously start to ‘gallop’ along horizontal surfaces inside a vertically-vibrated fluid chamber, self-propelled by a resonant interaction between their shape oscillation modes. These active bubbles exhibit distinct trajectory regimes, including rectilinear, orbital, and run-and-tumble motions, which can be tuned dynamically via the external forcing. Through periodic body deformations, galloping bubbles swim leveraging inertial forces rather than vortex shedding, enabling them to maneuver even when viscous traction is not viable. The galloping symmetry breaking provides a robust self-propulsion mechanism, arising in bubbles whether separated from the wall by a liquid film or directly attached to it, and is captured by a minimal oscillator model, highlighting its universality. Through proof-of-concept demonstrations, we showcase the technological potential of the galloping locomotion for applications involving bubble generation and removal, transport and sorting, navigating complex fluid networks, and surface cleaning. The rich dynamics of galloping bubbles suggest exciting opportunities in heat transfer, microfluidic transport, probing and cleaning, bubble-based computing, soft robotics, and active matter. Bubbles, long studied for their diverse dynamics across industrial, biological, and medical applications, continue to reveal unexpected behaviors. This study introduces galloping bubbles, a novel self-propulsion mechanism driven by shape oscillations in a vibrated fluid chamber, offering potential for applications in fluid transport, cleaning, and active matter.

Background:Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) to intranuclear particles are found in the blood of people with and without autoimmune diseases. To our knowledge, only 1 past genome-wide association study (GWAS) has sought to identify genetic factors related to ANA positivity, reporting association with HLA-DR in a Japanese population (Terao C, Arthritis Rheum, 2014). Dissecting the genetic basis for ANA positivity would allow new insights into autoimmunity susceptibility.Objectives:We conducted a genome-wide association study for ANA positivity.Methods:We used data from the Mass General Brigham Biobank, containing linked electronic health records and genotyping (Illumina’s Multi-Ethnic Genotyping Array or Global Screening Array chips) for >65,000 consented patients. We identified subjects with genotyping and results for either hep2 or ML immunofluorescence ANA assays (1989-2022). ANA+, those with ≥1 result of ≥ 1:40 titer, were compared to ANA-, those with no positive ANA results. After quality control, we imputed using the Haplotype Reference Consortium, excluding variants with imputation score <0.5. Classical HLA alleles and amino acids for HLA genes were imputed with SNP2HLA using TopMed HLA data as reference. We restricted analyses to those with predicted European ancestry (1000 Genomes EUR group; 82% of biobank subjects). Diagnostic codes identified 8 autoimmune diseases: systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), scleroderma (SSc), Sjögren’s syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD), multiple sclerosis (MS), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and autoimmune thyroid disease (ATD). GWAS for ANA + vs – was done in PLINK2, with logistic regression adjusted for age, sex and 4 genetic principal components. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) block was defined as r2>0.5 using EUR information. We also tested for associations with ANA ≥ 1:80, excluding anti-nucleolar or anti-centromere patterns, excluding those with autoimmune diseases vs. ANA-, and HLA alleles and amino acids.Results:We studied 12,875 subjects with ANA and genotyping results: 7,035 ANA + (≥ 1:40) vs. 5,840 ANA -. The female/male ratio was similar in both groups: 62.9% female in ANA+ vs. 62.1% in ANA- (p 0.39). Patients who were ANA+ were older than the ANA- (56.1 ± 15.8 vs. 52.1 ± 15.2 years, p<0.0001). Of ANA+ patients, 33% had ≥1 of the 8 autoimmune diseases, as did 19% of ANA- patients. Overall, SLE, RA, SSc, Sjogren’s syndrome, MCTD, MS, PBC and ATD were present in 538, 1425, 159, 370, 65, 354, 63 and 408 subjects (with ANA+ proportions 71%, 55%, 78%, 74%, 82%, 55%, 63%, and 62% respectively). 8,073,314 SNPs with MAF>=0.01 were included. The strongest GWAS association with ANA+ ≥1:40 (vs. ANA -) was for rs3134951 on chromosome 6 in the HLA region (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.3, p 1.6×10-9) (Figure 1). Within the HLA region, HLA-DQB1:0201 allele had the strongest association (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2-1.3, p 9.2×10-11). We identified two suggestive novel loci for ANA +, one in LOC105373419 (rs60343674) on chromosome 2 and the other in ABHD5 (rs12489159) on chromosome 3. (Figure 1) HLA-DRB1:03 and HLA-B:08 alleles, not in strong LD, each had significant associations (Figure 2). Repeated GWAS for ≥1:80 titer and ≥ 1:80 excluding anti-centromere and anti-nucleolar patterns vs. ANA - showed similar, but stronger signals for rs3134951 on chromosome 6 (p=5.6×10-13 and p=2.3×10-14, respectively). GWAS excluding those with known autoimmune diseases had weaker signal for rs3134951 (p=2.6×10-7). This SNP, rs3134951 at 6p.21.32, is intergenic and associated with 2 genes, FKBPL and PRRT1, previously associated with SLE (Yin X, Annals Rheum Dis, 2020).Conclusion:HLA-DRB, HLA-DQB1 and HLA-B, and newly identified rs3134951 at 6p.21.32 are genetic factors predisposing to ANA positivity in this European ancestry population. We are pursuing stratified analyses by ANA pattern and titer, sex, and autoimmune disease.REFERENCES: NIL.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of Interests:Jing Cui: None declared, Jeong Yee: None declared, Emily G. Oakes: None declared, Hongshu Guan: None declared, Liming Liang: None declared, Karen Costenbader Bristol Myers Squibb, Glaxo Smith Kline, Cabaletta Bio, Merck, Gilead,

Background: CD133 and CD44 are putative cancer stem cell (CSC) markers in colorectal cancer (CRC). However, their clinical significance is currently unclear. Here, we evaluated primary CRC cell isolates to determine the significance of several CSC markers, including CD133 and CD44, as predictors of tumourigenesis and prognosis. Methods: CD133- and CD44-positive cells from fresh clinical samples of 77 CRCs were selected by flow cytometric sorting and evaluated for tumourigenicity following subcutaneous transplantation into NOD/SCID mice. Cancer stem cell marker expression was examined in both xenografts and a complementary DNA library compiled from 167 CRC patient samples. Results: CD44 + , CD133 + and CD133 + CD44 + sub-populations were significantly more tumourigenic than the total cell population. The clinical samples expressed several transcript variants of CD44. Variant 2 was specifically overexpressed in both primary tumours and xenografts in comparison with the normal mucosa. A prognostic assay using qRT–PCR showed that the CD44v2 high group ( n =84, 5-year survival rate (5-OS): 0.74) had a significantly worse prognosis ( P =0.041) than the CD44v2 low group ( n =83, 5-OS: 0.88). Conclusions: CD44 is an important CSC marker in CRC patients. Furthermore, CRC patients with high expression of CD44v2 have a poorer prognosis than patients with other CD44 variants.

Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) is a polymer widely used for insulation in high voltage outdoor insulators and cables. It is well accepted that appropriate addition of micron particles to form a composite can enhance its insulation performance. This work reports improvement on the dielectric breakdown strength, tracking failure time, mechanical properties and volume resistivity of EPDM composites co-filled with boron nitride (BN) micron and nano–particles. Test specimens were fabricated by melt-blending and hot press techniques. AC breakdown tests were performed as per IEC60243-1 Standard. The tracking test was performed following IEC 60587 Standard and volume resistivity measurement as per ASTM D257. Experimental results show improvement in electrical properties with increasing particle loading up to a certain dosage but enhancement in the mechanical properties is observed up to 30 wt% particles addition. The co-filled composite exhibits considerably higher dielectric breakdown strength (89.24 kV/mm) and volume resistivity (~ 5.0 × 1015 Ω cm) relative to Micro-20 wt%. The tracking failure time of the co-filled is much improved due to excellent resistance against dry band arcing and thermal accumulation in the discharge region. Moreover, co-filled composites show improvement in mechanical properties as compared to the micron–filled counterparts. The improved thermal conductivity, better thermal stability and overall higher surface area of the particles are possible factors which impart better performance to the co-filled composites.