We report a new strategy for single supersaturated droplet analysis, i.e., the complicated hygroscopic properties of MgSO4 aerosols under supersaturated state were studied through the micro-Raman observation on an individual MgSO4 droplet deposited on a quartz substrate in a relative-humidity-controlled chamber. Upon reduction of the ambient relative humidity (RH), MgSO4 droplets with tiny volume lost water but did not effloresce. Thus, a detailed spectral evolution of the symmetric stretching vibration band (v1-SO4(2-)) from free ions (at approximately 983 cm(-1)) to monodentate (approximately 995 cm(-1)) and then to bidentate contact ion pairs (CIPs) or more complex chain-structural compositions (approximately 1021 cm(-1)) was observed with the high signal-to-noise (S/N) confocal Raman spectra of the droplet with a diameter of approximately 80 microns. Such a transition process could be well-described by the changes of relative intensity at 983, 995, and 1021 cm(-1). Four steps, i.e., concentrated step, monodentate CIPs step, bidentate CIPs step, and gel step, were roughly observed in the dehumidifying-humidifying cycle according to the intensity ratios of I995/I983 and I1021/I983. Even though the area ratio of the O-H stretching band of water molecules to the v1-SO4(2-) band seemed reversible in the dehumidifying and humidifying processes, the intensity ratios of I995/I983 and I1021/I983 showed a hysteresis in the decomposition of CIPs in the humidifying process with the RH < 40%. The O-H stretching envelope of the MgSO4 droplet was also observed to be sensitive to the structural changes of the hydrogen bonding of water molecules in the four steps. The intensity ratio of Raman scattering for the components with strong hydrogen bonds to those with weak ones, i.e., I3224/I3431, was used to understand the effects of CIPs on the water structures of the first hydration layer of Mg2+. Good consistency on the hysteresis in the humidifying process was also observed from the ratio of I3224/I3431 changing with RH.

Ash deposition experiments at various conversions of a bituminous coal were performed under gasification conditions using a laminar entrained-flow reactor and a deposition probe. Results showed that the particle capture efficiency (a measure of ash deposition propensity) was a function of coal conversion. In particular, the capture efficiency increased dramatically at a critical conversion, which is ascribed to the increase in particle stickiness. To clarify this phenomenon, ash formation experiments were conducted to collect char and ash particles under experimental conditions identical to those in the ash deposition experiments. Collected particles were presumed to have the same properties as the particles approaching the deposition probe in ash deposition experiments. Properties of the particles including internal surface area and morphology were determined by isothermal gas adsorption and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The internal surface area of the particles dropped sharply at the critical conversion, which indicates a char-slag transition. This suggests that the char-slag transition is associated with a drastic increase in particle stickiness. Examination of the particle morphology revealed that physical transformation of mineral-carbon association in the particle has a major impact on particle stickiness during char-slag transition.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are frequently dysregulated and play important roles in many cancers. lncRNA H19 is one of the earliest discovered lncRNAs which has diverse roles in different cancers. However, the expression, roles, and action mechanisms of H19 in retinoblastoma are still largely unknown. In this study, we found that H19 is downregulated in retinoblastoma tissues and cell lines. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function assays showed that H19 inhibits retinoblastoma cell proliferation, induces retinoblastoma cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, we identified seven miR-17-92 cluster binding sites on H19, and found that H19 directly bound to miR-17-92 cluster via these seven binding sites. Through binding to miR-17-92 cluster, H19 relieves the suppressing roles of miR-17-92 cluster on p21. Furthermore, H19 represses STAT3 activation induced by miR-17-92 cluster. Hence, our results revealed that H19 upregulates p21 expression, inhibits STAT3 phosphorylation, and downregulates the expression of STAT3 target genes BCL2, BCL2L1, and BIRC5. In addition, functional assays demonstrated that the mutation of miR-17-92 cluster binding sites on H19 abolished the proliferation inhibiting, cell cycle arrest and cell apoptosis inducing roles of H19 in retinoblastoma. In conclusion, our data suggested that H19 inhibits retinoblastoma progression via counteracting the roles of miR-17-92 cluster, and implied that enhancing the action of H19 may be a promising therapeutic strategy for retinoblastoma.

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Objective To assess the effects of eLongTermCare (eLTC), a telehealth program implemented by an integrated health system in 45 nursing homes across the Midwest, on the use of acute hospital services and total expenditures for Medicare residents. Data Sources Minimum Data Set, Medicare fee‐for‐service claims, and enrollment data from 2013 to 2018. Study Design We used a longitudinal difference‐in‐differences design to estimate the changes in outcomes for treatment beneficiaries before and after participating in the eLTC program, relative to changes for the matched comparison beneficiaries over the same period. We measured outcomes over a 24‐month follow‐up period, including total Medicare spending, emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and the likelihood of readmission. Data Collection/Extraction Methods Using administrative data, we identified treatment beneficiaries who stayed at participating nursing facilities during the program period and matched comparison beneficiaries with similar baseline characteristics from non‐participating facilities in the same geographic locations. Principal Findings For long‐term care residents, the eLTC program led to an estimated reduction of 73 ED visits per 1000 beneficiaries (p < 0.01, 8.6% effect) over the two‐year follow‐up period. The estimated effects for this group were concentrated among beneficiaries who entered the nursing home after program startup, with sizable reductions in hospitalizations, ED visits, and spending. For skilled care residents, the program was associated with an estimated reduction of 85 ED visits per 1000 beneficiaries (p = 0.03, 9.7% effect), but had no discernible effect on their hospitalizations or total Medicare spending. Conclusions Telehealth can be a valuable tool for nursing homes to enhance care coordination and provide timely access to care, leading to lower spending for nursing home residents. Future research needs to explore payment methods that encourage telehealth expansion in nursing homes.