TlP5\mathrm{TlP_5}: An unexplored direct band gap 2D semiconductor with ultra-high carrier mobility

Two-dimensional materials with a proper band gap and high carrier mobility are urgently desired in the field of nanoelectronics. We propose a novel two-dimensional crystal monolayer $\mathrm{TlP_5}$, which is dynamically and thermodynamically stable and possesses a direct band gap of 2.02 eV with high carrier mobilities (13960 $\mathrm{cm^2\ V^{-1}s^{-1}}$ for electrons and 7560 $\mathrm{cm^2\ V^{-1}s^{-1}}$ for holes), comparable to that of phosphorene. The band gap value and band characteristics of monolayer $\mathrm{TlP_5}$ can be adjusted by biaxial and uniaxial strains, and excellent optical absorption over the visible-light range is predicted. These properties, especially for the balanced high mobilities for not only the electrons but also the holes, render monolayer $\mathrm{TlP_5}$ an exciting functional material for future nanoelectronics and optoelectronic applications.Comment: 5 figures, 1 tabl

The effects of Transtheoretical Model-based interventions on smoking cessation in Taiwan: A longitudinal study

Session presented on Saturday, July 23, 2016 and Sunday, July 24, 2016: Purpose: The adverse effects of cigarette smoking have caused a noticeable increase in smoking-related diseases and death globally. The purpose of this study is to assist smokers in smoking cessation with interventions based on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) and to evaluate the effects of TTM-based interventions on knowledge about the hazardous effects of smoking, attitude toward smoking, and movement through stages of change. Methods: In this quasi-experimental longitudinal study, a structured questionnaire was administered pre-intervention (pretest, Time 1), post-intervention (3 months, Time2), and at follow-up (6 months, Time 3). Participants aged 18 years and older were recruited in a regional hospital in Taiwan and divided into 2 groups (experimental group, n = 100; comparison group, n = 100). The interventions involved 6 counseling sessions in 3 months with the implementation of recommendations from a textbook of smoking cessation therapy edited by the Health Promotion Administration (2013), Taiwan. The intervention effect was assessed using the generalized estimating equation (GEE) model with robust standard error and exchangeable working correlation matrix for the adjustment of time. The intervention effect was verified when a significant two-way interaction effect(s) (of time by treatment) emerged, which indicates that a difference exists from pretest to posttest between groups. The TTM stage at each time-point between the study groups was compared using Fisher\u27s exact test. Results: The experimental and comparison groups were homogeneous in the basic variables of demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and disease history. The experimental group showed a greater improvement than the comparison group in scores on knowledge of cigarette smoking. The groups significant differed between Time 1 and Time 3 for the stages of precontemplation, contemplation, and action (P \u3c .01). Conclusion: A TTM-based smoking cessation intervention significantly increased knowledge of the hazardous effects of smoking and resulted in improvement in stages of change at a 6-month follow-up among smokers

Tetra­aqua­bis(2-oxo-1,2-dihydro­quinoline-4-carboxyl­ato-κO 4)nickel(II)

In the title compound, [Ni(C10H6NO3)2(H2O)4], the central NiII atom is located on an inversion center and coordinated in a slightly distorted octa­hedral geometry by two O atoms from two 2-oxo-1,2-dihydro­quinoline-4-carboxyl­ate ligands and four water mol­ecules, all of which act as monodentate ligands. The crystal structure features an extensive network of inter­molecular hydrogen-bonding inter­actions (O—H⋯O and N—H⋯O) and offset face-to-face π–π stacking inter­actions [centroid–centroid distances = 3.525 (3) and 3.281 (5) Å]

Effects of Yulin Tong Bu formula on modulating gut microbiota and fecal metabolite interactions in mice with polycystic ovary syndrome

BackgroundPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovarian dysfunction and polycystic ovarian morphology. Gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolite are associated with PCOS clinical parameters. Yulin Tong Bu formula (YLTB), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been recently indicated to be capable of ameliorating polycystic ovary symptoms and correcting abnormal glucose metabolism. However, the therapeutic mechanism of YLTB on PCOS has not been fully elucidated.MethodsA pseudo sterile mouse model was established during this four-day acclimatization phase by giving the animals an antibiotic cocktail to remove the gut microbiota. Here, the therapeutic effects of YLTB on PCOS were investigated using dehydroepiandrosterone plus high-fat diet-induced PCOS mice model. Female prepuberal mice were randomly divided into three groups; namely, the control group, PCOS group and YLTB (38.68 g·kg-1·day-1) group. To test whether this effect is associated with the gut microbiota, we performed 16S rRNA sequencing studies to analyze the fecal microbiota of mice. The relationships among metabolites, gut microbiota, and PCOS phenotypes were further explored by using Spearman correlation analysis. Then, the effect of metabolite ferulic acid was then validated in PCOS mice.ResultsOur results showed that YLTB treatment ameliorated PCOS features (ovarian dysfunction, delayed glucose clearance, decreased insulin sensitivity, deregulation of glucolipid metabolism and hormones, etc.) and significantly attenuated PCOS gut microbiota dysbiosis. Spearman correlation analysis showed that metabolites such as ferulic acid and folic acid are negatively correlated with PCOS clinical parameters. The effect of ferulic acid was similar to that of YLTB. In addition, the bacterial species such as Bacteroides dorei and Bacteroides fragilis were found to be positively related to PCOS clinical parameters, using the association study analysis.ConclusionThese results suggest that YLTB treatment systematically regulates the interaction between the gut microbiota and the associated metabolites to ameliorate PCOS, providing a solid theoretical basis for further validation of YLTB effect on human PCOS trials