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Carrollian amplitude is the natural object that defines the correlator of the boundary Carrollian field theory. In this work, we will elaborate on its proper definition in general dimensions. We use the vielbein field on the unit sphere to define the fundamental field with non-vanishing helicity in the local Cartesian frame which is the building block of the Carrollian amplitude. In general dimensions, the Carrollian amplitude is related to the momentum space scattering matrix by a modified Fourier transform. The Poincaré transformation law of the Carrollian amplitude in this definition has been discussed. We also find an isomorphism between the local rotation of the vielbein field and the superduality transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of triphenol‐diamine‐type hyperbranched benzoxazines are synthesized by using polyformaldehyde, 1,1,1‐tri(4‐hydroxyphenyl) ethane, and primary amines such as p‐phenylenediamine, 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylmethane, polyetheramine, and bifuranocyclic diamine via Mannich condensation. Then, copolymers with bifunctional benzoxazine (BA‐a) are prepared to obtain superior properties. The polymerization behavior of the copolymers examined using a differential scanning calorimeter and a Fourier transform infrared indicates that the introduction of hyperbranched benzoxazines facilitates the benzoxazine curing reaction, decreasing the onset and peak temperatures of the curing process. Thermogravimetric analysis results suggest the cured hyperbranched benzoxazine demonstrates good thermal stability and can improve the heat resistance of benzoxazine. In addition, dynamic mechanical analysis suggests the glass transition temperature of the copolymers with BA‐a was increased after copolymerization, thus making all the copolymers obtain higher service temperatures. The test results from the universal testing machine and the fracture morphologies of copolymers indicate the hyperbranched benzoxazines with branched structures cause dendritic folds to appear on the surface of copolymers upon polymerization, preventing rapid cracking and spreading of the thermoset resin by dissipating more impact energy through this irregular dendritic appearance, thus obtaining strength and toughness superior to that of BA‐a resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we derive the Carrollian amplitude in the framework of bulk reduction. The Carrollian amplitude is shown to relate to the scattering amplitude by a Fourier transform in this method. We propose Feynman rules to calculate the Carrollian amplitude where the Fourier transforms emerge as the integral representation of the external lines in the Carrollian space. Then we study the four-point Carrollian amplitude at loop level in massless Φ4 theory. As a consequence of Poincaré invariance, the four-point Carrollian amplitude can be transformed to the amplitude that only depends on the cross ratio z of the celestial sphere and a variable χ invariant under translation. The four-point Carrollian amplitude is a polynomial of the two-point Carrollian amplitude whose argument is replaced with χ. The coefficients of the polynomial have branch cuts in the complex z plane. We also show that the renormalized Carrollian amplitude obeys the Callan-Symanzik equation. Moreover, we initiate a generalized Φ4 theory by designing the Feynman rules for more general Carrollian amplitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This present investigation reports, for the first time, the properties of the polybenzoxazine bio-based furfurylamine reinforced using the hybrid short carbon fibers and tungsten particles. The results revealed good compatibility between the matrix and the filers using scanning electron microscopy, due to the use of the silane treatment that led to enhanced interfacial bonding. In addition, the mechanical data disclosed that the bending and impact values were respectively increased to 210 MPa and 9 KJ/m2 for the composites containing 20%wt of the short carbon fibers and 20%wt tungsten particles. The hybrid composite shielding properties were evaluated using the cobalt-60 as an irradiation source, and the nuclear results depicted that the half-value length and the tenth-value length were increased as compared to those of the pure polymers. Based on the thermal stability studies, the reinforced hybrid composites also showed excellent thermal resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of oral bovine serum albumin (BSA) on plasma amino acid profile and growth performance in blunt snout bream fed high‐fat and high‐energy diets. A total of 360 fish (average weight: 45.84 ± 0.07 g) were randomly divided into three groups in four replicates and fed with the control, high‐fat diet (HFD), and high‐energy diet (HED), respectively. After 12 weeks of feeding, fish were orally administered with 10% BSA for 10 h, with the blood and liver sample obtained at 10 h. The results showed no remarkable difference (p > 0.05) in final weight, weight gain rate, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency ratio, and daily growth rate among dietary treatments. However, fish fed HFD and HED obtained significantly higher energy and nitrogen retention content than the control. Plasma valine and histidine content were more prevalent in fish fed the control diet than in HFD and HED groups. However, BSA significantly enhanced this content with higher values observed in arginine and alanine content than in control diets at 10 h. Significantly higher liver and plasma Aspartate aminotransferase, Xanthine oxidase, and Glutamate dehydrogenase content were found in the HFD than in the control group. However, the administration of BSA at 10 h improved these parameters similar to the control. Meanwhile, protease, Lipase, aminopeptidase N, carboxypeptidase A, and Na+ K+‐ATPase were influenced significantly (p < 0.001) by sampling time, dietary treatments, and their interaction. Fish fed with the HFD and HED significantly downregulated (p < 0.05) the akt, bcat2, 4e‐bp1, s6k1, and tor expression compared to the control. However, BSA administration at 10 h improved these genes similar to the control. This study indicated that oral BSA administration could benefit plasma amino acid through the TOR signaling pathway in blunt snout bream fed high‐fat and high‐energy diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six new species of Cryptochironomus Kieffer, 1918, C. absum Liu, sp. nov., C. beardi Liu, sp. nov., C. dentatus Liu, sp. nov., C. ferringtoni Liu, sp. nov., C. parallelus Liu, sp. nov. and C. taylorensis Liu, sp. nov., are described and illustrated based on adult males. The specimens were collected from various water systems in the United States and preserved by Dr. Leonard Charles Ferrington Jr. An updated key to adult males of all known Cryptochironomus species in the Nearctic region is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a sensor of cellular energy changes and controls food intake. This study investigates the effect of a high‐calorie diet (high fat diet [HFD], high carbohydrate diet [HCD] and high energy diet [HED]) on appetite and central AMPK in blunt snout bream. In the present study, fish (average initial weight 45.84 ± 0.07 g) were fed the control, HFD, HCD and HED in four replicates for 12 weeks. At the end of the feeding trial, the result showed that body mass index, specific growth rate, feed efficiency ratio and feed intake were not affected (p > 0.05) by dietary treatment. However, fish fed the HFD obtained a significantly higher (p < 0.05) lipid productive value, lipid gain and lipid intake than those fed the control diet, but no significant difference was attributed to others. Also, a significantly higher (p < 0.05) energy intake content was found in fish‐fed HFD, HCD and HED than those given the control diet. Long‐term HFD and HCD feeding significantly increased (p < 0.05) plasma glucose, glycated serum protein, advanced glycation end product, insulin and leptin content levels than the control group. Moreover, a significantly lower (p < 0.05) complex 1, 2 and 3 content was found in fish‐fed HFD and HCD than in the control, but no differences (p > 0.05) were attributed to those in HED. Fish‐fed HED significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) hypothalamic ampα 1 and ampα 2 expression, whereas the opposite trend was observed in the hypothalamic mammalian target of rapamycin than those in HFD and HCD compared to the control. However, hypothalamic neuropeptide y, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (pparα), acetyl‐coa oxidase and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 were significantly upregulated (p < 0.05) in the HCD group, while the opposite was seen in cholecystokinin expression compared to those in the control group. Our findings indicated that the central AMPK signal pathway and appetite were modulated according to the diet's energy level to regulate nutritional status and maintain energy homoeostasis in fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study developed a recombinant Bacillus subtilis to carry the LGSPDVIVIR peptide (cmP4) isolated from the hydrolyzed products of cottonseed meal with excellent antioxidant and immune-enhancing properties in vitro. It was carried as a tandem of five cmP4 peptides (cmP4') to be stably expressed on a large scale. Then, its effectiveness was evaluated in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) based on growth performance, redox defense, and innate immunity. A total of 280 crabs (mean body weight: 41.40 ± 0.14) were randomly assigned to seven diets including a control one (without B. subtilis) and six experimental ones with different doses (107,108, and 109 CFU/kg) of unmodified and recombinant B. subtilis, respectively, for 12 weeks. Each diet was tested in four tanks of crabs (10/tank). In terms of bacterial dosages, the final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), hemolymph and hepatopancreatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), lysosome (LZM), acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and hepatopancreatic transcriptions of cat, mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase (mtmnsod), thioredoxin-1 (trx1), and prophenoloxidase (propo) all increased significantly with increasing B. subtilis dosages, while hemolymph and hepatopancreatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the transcriptions of toll like receptors (tlrs), NF-κB-like transcription factor (relish), and lipopolysaccharide-induced TNF-α factor (litaf) all decreased remarkably. In terms of bacterial species, the recombinant B. subtilis group obtained significantly high values of FW, WG, hemolymph, and hepatopancreatic activities of SOD, CAT, LZM, ACP, and AKP, and the transcriptions of mtmnsod, peroxiredoxin 6 (prx6), and propo compared with the unmodified B. subtilis, while opposite results were noted in hemolymph and hepatopancreatic MDA content and the transcriptions of tlrs, relish, and litaf. These results indicated that dietary supplementation with 109 CFU/kg of recombinant B. subtilis can improve the growth performance, redox defense, and nonspecific immunity of E. sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypoxia is the most significant factor that threatens the health and even survival of freshwater and marine fish. Priority should be given to the investigation of hypoxia adaptation mechanisms and their subsequent modulation. Acute and chronic studies were designed for the current study. Acute hypoxia comprised of normoxia dissolved oxygen (DO) 7.0 ± 0.5 mg/mL (N0), low-oxygen 5.0 ± 0.5 mg/mL(L0), and hypoxia 1.0 ± 0.1 mg/mL (H0) and 300 mg/L Vc for hypoxia regulation (N300, L300, H300). Chronic hypoxia comprised of normoxia (DO 7.0 ± 0.5 mg/mL) with 50 mg/kg Vc in the diet (N50) and low oxygen (5.0 ± 0.5 mg/mL) with 50, 250, 500 mg/kg Vc in the diet (L50, L250, L500) to assess the effect of Vc in hypoxia. The growth, behavior, hematological parameters, metabolism, antioxidants, and related inflammatory factors of channel catfish were investigated, and it was found that channel catfish have a variety of adaptive mechanisms in response to acute and chronic hypoxia. Under acute 5 mg/mL DO, the body color lightened (P < 0.05) and reverted to normal with 300 mg/mL Vc. PLT was significantly elevated after 300 mg/L Vc (P < 0.05), indicating that Vc can effectively restore hemostasis following oxygen-induced tissue damage. Under acute hypoxia, the significantly increased of cortisol, blood glucose, the gene of pyruvate kinase (pk), and phosphofructokinase (pfk), together with the decreased expression of fructose1,6-bisphosphatase (fbp) and the reduction in myoglycogen, suggested that Vc might enhance the glycolytic ability of the channel catfish. And the enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and the gene expression of sod rose significantly, showing that Vc might improve the antioxidant capacity of the channel catfish. The significant up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (tnf-α), interleukin-1β (il-1β), and cd68 under acute hypoxia implies that hypoxia may generate inflammation in channel catfish, whereas the addition of Vc and down-regulation of these genes suggests that Vc suppresses inflammation under acute hypoxia. We found that the final weight, WGR, FCR, and FI of channel catfish were significantly reduced under chronic hypoxia, and that feeding 250 mg/kg of Vc in the diet was effective in alleviating the growth retardation caused by hypoxia. The significant increase in cortisol, blood glucose, myoglycogen, and the expression of tnf-α, il-1β, and cd68 (P < 0.05) and the significant decrease in lactate (P < 0.05) under chronic hypoxia indicated that the channel catfish had gradually adapted to the survival threat posed by hypoxia and no longer relied on carbohydrates as their primary source of energy. While the addition of Vc did not appear to increase the energy supply of the fish under hypoxia in terms of glucose metabolism, but the significantly decreased expression of tnf-α, il-1β, and cd68 (P < 0.05) also were found, indicating that chronic hypoxia, similar acute hypoxia, may increase inflammation in the channel catfish. This study indicates that under acute stress, channel catfish withstand stress by raising energy supply through glycolysis, and acute hypoxic stress significantly promotes inflammation in channel catfish, but Vc assists the channel catfish resist stress by raising glycolysis, antioxidant capacity, and decreasing the production of inflammatory markers. Under chronic hypoxia, the channel catfish no longer utilize carbohydrates as their primary energy source, and Vc may still effectively reduce inflammation in the channel catfish under hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to explore the interaction between dietary leucine and isoleucine levels on whole-body composition, plasma and liver biochemical indexes, amino acids deposition in the liver, and amino acid metabolism of blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala). The test fish (average weight: 56.00 ± 0.55 g) were fed one of six diets at random containing two leucine levels (1.70% and 2.50%) and three isoleucine levels (1.00%, 1.20%, and 1.40%) for 8 weeks. The results showed that the final weight and weight gain rate were the highest in the fish fed low-level leucine and high-level isoleucine diets (P > 0.05). Furthermore, the crude lipid content was significantly adjusted by diets with diverse levels of leucine and isoleucine (P < 0.05). In addition, interactive effects of these two branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) were found on plasma total protein, blood ammonia, and blood urea nitrogen of test fish (P < 0.05). Additionally, the liver amino acid profiles were significantly influenced by the interactive effects of the two BCAAs (P < 0.05). Moreover, interactive effects of dietary leucine and isoleucine were significantly observed in the expressions of amino acid metabolism-related genes (P < 0.05). These findings suggested that dietary leucine and isoleucine had interaction. Meanwhile, the interaction between them was more conducive to the growth and quality improvement of blunt snout bream when the dietary leucine level was 1.70% and isoleucine level was 1.40%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kulun complex, mainly composed of Late Paleozoic meta-volcanic rocks, has been newly discovered in Kulun Qi area on the border between Liaoning and Inner Mongolia in the east part of the northern margin of North China Plate. The profile survey confirms the rock association of Kulun complex including tuff, andesite and metasedimentary rock. The zircon LA-ICP-MS U-Pb isotope test for the tuff shows 391.0±3.7 Ma, indicating the formation age of Middle Devonian. The geochemical characteristics show that the complex was formed in later island arc environment. The tectonic evolution process of the Paleozoic accretionary orogenic belt in the east part of the northern margin of North China Plate is established through the study of the newly discovered Middle Devonian Kulun complex and related Paleozoic sedimentary events, magmatic events and deformation, combined with the research results of the Paleozoic complex, magmatic rocks and volcanic sedimentary strata in the area. The orogenic belt has experienced the Silurian active continental margin stage, Devonian arc-continental collision stage, Carboniferous-Middle Permian active continental margin stage and Late Permian collision orogenic stage. The Silurian Fangjiatun and Xibiehe rock formations were formed in the back-arc basin environment, indicating the study area was in the active continental margin environment during the Ordovician-Silurian. The volcano-sedimentation of the Devonian Kulun complex is the result of arc-continent collision, accompanied by magmatic activity under extensional background. The study area underwent pull-apart again under the post-collision extension background, and received the deposits of Baijiadian rock formation and Jiujuzi rock formation in the Carboniferous-Middle Permian, leading to the formation of the volcanic island arc of Tongjiatun rock formation. In the Late Permian, continent-continent collision occurred with the closure of Paleo-Asian Ocean, and the post-orogeny continued to the Triassic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, an isothermal compression molding process was used to develop enhanced green composites made from alkali‐treated pine nut shell particles (TPS) reinforced in fully bio‐driven benzoxazine (VB) and epoxy (EP) copolymer. Reinforcement with varying weight percent (wt%) of bio‐filler enhanced the properties of composites. Composites showed a rise of 75.9 MPa, 5.8 GPa, and 5.1 kJ/m2 in flexural strength, modulus, and impact strength, respectively. Thermal stability shows that composites can endure higher temperatures and hence be classified as flame‐retardant materials. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) confirms that composites exhibit higher storage modulus, which was elevated to 77.6% compared to the unfilled copolymer. FTIR spectroscopy analyzed the structure of copolymerized composites. Further, finite element analysis (FEA) was observed for the prepared composites. A transversely isotropic composite material model was created with the properties of composites, and stress analysis was observed. FEA outcomes are in good agreement with experimental findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding thermal degradation mechanism is significant for designing and preparing phthalonitrile with ultra-high heat resistance. Here, the phthalonitrile modified by Si–B–C–N precursor with excellent heat resistance was prepared and its thermal degradation behavior and mechanism was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) combined with three degradation models of Friedman, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa methods. The results show that phthalonitrile/Si–B–C–N precursor blend resin with 16.7 mass% Si–B–C–N precursor has high breaking temperature ranges of aromatic ether bonds and the bonds between benzene and triazine from 450 to 550 °C and from 450 to 600 °C, respectively. Such good thermal resistance for phthalonitrile/Si–B–C–N precursor blend was attributed to the formation of active heat-resistant phases of phthalonitrile resins, binary continuous phases containing both phthalonitrile resin and Si–B–C–N precursors, and continuous inorganic phase derived from Si–B–C–N precursor. Furthermore, under N2 atmosphere, the degradation processes of phthalonitrile/Si–B–C–N precursor blends could be evaluated by the three methods of Friedman method, Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose method and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method, while under the air atmosphere, that could be better evaluated by the Friedman method. This work provides some insights for designing and preparing high heat resistance phthalonitrile resin serving at high-temperature (from 500 to 900 °C) environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By adhering to green chemistry principles, unique and enhanced benzoxazine composite is made from renewable vanillin and furfuryl amine. The bio‐benzoxazine poly(V‐BZF) structure was confirmed by 1H NMR and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy spectroscopy. Enhanced composites were developed successfully by blending different chemical‐treated almond shell particles with poly(V‐BZF). Differential scanning calorimetry results reveal that novel benzoxazine's curing temperature was low and slightly reduced by incorporating chemically treated fillers. The lowest polymerizing temperature was recorded as 215°C for the blend of alkali‐treated particles. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrates that composites exhibited superior thermal characteristics, and chemical treatment positively impacts filler material. The limiting oxygen index value classifies poly(V‐BZF) composites as flame‐retardant and extinguishing. Approximately a 47.56% increase in tensile strength and a 28.9% increase in modulus were recorded with the incorporation of silane‐treated filler. Flexural tests demonstrated that composites with silane‐treated particles showed maximum flexural strength of 101.5 MPa and a modulus of 4112.6 MPa. The impact strength of composites increased to 73.3%, expanding benzoxazine's manufacturing applications. In addition, the specimen was designed to have composite properties and stress analysis was performed in two Multiphysics software packages. In all, this work confirms that adopting environmentally‐friendly methodologies and surface modification of filler can yield superior composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary organ for absorbing dietary fat is the gut. High dietary lipid intake negatively affects health and absorption by causing fat deposition in the intestine. This research explores the effect of a high-fat diet (HFD) on intestinal microbiota and its connections with endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation. 60 fish (average weight: 45.84 ± 0.07 g) were randomly fed a control diet (6% fat) and a high-fat diet (12 % fat) in four replicates for 12 weeks. From the result, hepatosomatic index (HSI), Visceralsomatic index (VSI), abdominal fat (ADF), Intestosomatic index (ISI), mesenteric fat (MFI), Triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) content were substantially greater on HFD compared to the control diet. Moreover, fish provided the HFD significantly obtained lower superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities. In contrast, an opposite result was seen in malondialdehyde (MDA) content in comparison to the control. HFD significantly altered intestinal microbiota in blunt snout bream, characterized by an increased abundance of Aeromonas, Plesiomonas proteobacteria, and firmicutes with a reduced abundance of Cetobacterium and ZOR0006. The transcriptional levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (grp78), inositol requiring enzyme 1 (ire1), spliced X box-binding protein 1 (xbp1), DnaJ heat shock protein family (Hsp40) member B9 (dnajb9), tumor necrosis factor alpha (tnf-α), nuclear factor-kappa B (nf-κb), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (mcp-1), and interleukin-6 (il-6) in the intestine were markedly upregulated in fish fed HFD than the control group. Also, the outcome was similar in bax, caspases-3, and caspases-9, ZO-1, Occludin-1, and Occludin-2 expressions. In conclusion, HFD could alter microbiota and facilitate chronic inflammatory signals via activating endoplasmic reticulum stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article published in the journal ZooKeys. The authors of the original article made errors in the key provided for identifying six new species of Cryptochironomus Kieffer from the Nearctic region. In this corrigendum, the authors revise the key to Nearctic males of Cryptochironomus. The errors were pointed out by Dr. Martin Spies, and the authors express their gratitude for his input. The document provides a table categorizing different species of the genus Chironomus based on specific characteristics, along with references for further information. The document does not contain conflicts of interest, ethical statements, or funding information. The authors have contributed equally to the document, and their ORCID identifiers are provided. The data supporting the findings of the study are available in the main text. [Extracted from the article]

This report introduces a young adult who has been in bed for more than ten years with end-stage hemophilic arthropathy. He didn't have access to factor VIII (FVIII) in the early stage of hemophilia due to the high costs of clotting replacement therapy. As a result, he is experiencing some difficulties, such as joint contracture, muscular atrophy, severe pain, and poor function of cardiopulmonary. He came to visit us for a comprehensive rehabilitation program, and, finally, he achieved the basic goal of self-care in daily life. Key clinical message: Hemophilic arthropathy is a permanent joint disorder, particularly in hemophilia patients suffering from frequent and repetitive hemarthrosis. During the course of 20–40 years, more than half of the people diagnosed with hemophilia will eventually develop a severe form of it, with muscle atrophy, joint contracture, and limited functional activities. If conservative management fails, surgical options should be considered, including arthroscopic synovectomy, open synovectomy, and total joint arthroplasty. It puts a heavy burden on the family and society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct Carrollian scalar field theories in general dimensions, mainly focusing on the boundaries of Minkowski and Rindler spacetime, whose quantum flux operators form a faithful representation of Carrollian diffeomorphism up to a central charge, respectively. At future/past null infinity, the fluxes are physically observable and encode rich information of the radiation. The central charge may be regularized to be finite by the spectral zeta function or heat kernel method on the unit sphere. For the theory at the Rindler horizon, the effective central charge is proportional to the area of the bifurcation surface after regularization. Moreover, the zero mode of supertranslation is identified as the modular Hamiltonian, linking Carrollian diffeomorphism to quantum information theory. Our results may hold for general null hypersurfaces and provide new insight in the study of the Carrollian field theory, asymptotic symmetry group and entanglement entropy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One chromone (1), together with four known alkaloids, were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus Aspergillus sp. ZJ-68. Their structures were elucidated by a combination of HRESIMS and NMR spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 showed strong anti-inflammatory activity in vitro by inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW264.7 cells with an IC50 value of 4.094 ± 0.8 μM, which was better than positive drug indomethacin (IC50=35.8 ± 0.5 μM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reduce the gravitational theory in an asymptotically flat spacetime to future null infinity. We compute the Poincaré flux operators at future null infinity and construct the supertranslation and superrotation generators. The generators are shown to form a closed symmetry algebra by including a generalized gravitational duality operator. We could regard all the generators as the Hamiltonians with respect to the symmetry transformation in the boundary field theory. Our construction of the generators may relate to the BMS fluxes defined in the literature by adding counterterms to the Bondi mass and angular momentum aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new alkaloid (3), together with three known compounds, were isolated from the Thespesia populnea endophytic fungus TM-Y1-1. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods. The absolute configuration of compound 3 was determined for the first time by ECD calculation and DP4+ analysis. All compounds were evaluated for antimicrobial activity. The results showed that compounds 1 and 2 both exhibited moderate inhibitory activity against banana Colletotrichum gloeosporioides with MIC value of 31.25 μg/ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel boron‐containing hyperbranched benzoxazine (HB‐B) was synthesized from the reaction of triethanolamine borate (BAE), bisphenol‐A, and paraformaldehyde via Mannich condensation. The chemical structures of BAE and HB‐B were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). Afterward, the boron‐containing hyperbranched benzoxazine/epoxy resin copolymers (E51/HB‐B) were prepared. The curing behavior of ‐B and E51/HB‐B was studied by FT‐IR and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The thermal stability and flame retardancy properties of the cured HB‐B and E51/HB‐B were evaluated by thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), limited oxygen index (LOI), UL94 rating test, and microscale combustibility calorimeter experiments (MCC). The initial thermal decomposition temperature and glass transition temperature steadily dropped with increasing HB‐B content, while the char yield kept rising. The LOI value of the E51/HB‐B‐12 wt% was 31.8%, meeting the UL94 V‐0 specification. The result of heat release capacity (HRC) decreased by 20.4%. Moreover, the mechanical properties were also improved, and the tensile strength of E51/HB‐B copolymer was increased by 88.5%. Finally, the fracture morphology of E51/HB‐B was characterized by SEM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symbiocladius rhithrogenae (Zavřel, 1924) is redescribed based on adult males from China. Some morphological differences between the Chinese and European populations are given. The first DNA barcodes of S. rhithrogenae are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rapid flooding process of a damaged ship, the air trapped in a damaged cabin will be compressed into an air cushion, which causes the air cushion effect (ACE). The ACE has a significant influence on the flooding process of an airtight cabin. In this paper, a three-cabin model is designed according to a parent ship, and a series of model experiments are carried out. First, the air-tightness ratio is defined by combining various air vents with different opening areas, and the flooding model experiments of different air-tightness ratios are carried out. The heeling and trimming angles of the model, the overpressure of the air cushion, and the water height inside the flooding cabin are recorded and analyzed, and the characteristics of ACE are summarized. Second, different forms of air vents with a same air-tightness ratio are designed, and the influence of the air vent distribution on the flooding process is analyzed. With the quasi-static method used for comparisons, the numerical results are compared with the experimental ones to check the effectiveness of the quasi-static method on the rapid flooding problems. The research on ACE can guide the design of ship subdivisions and provide a reference for the rescue of shipwreck accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we reduce the electromagnetic theory to future null infinity and obtain a vector theory at the boundary. We compute the Poincaré flux operators which could be generalized. We quantize the vector theory, and impose normal order on the extended flux operators. It is shown that these flux operators generate the supertranslation and superrotation. When work out the commutators of these operators, we find that a generalized electromagnetic duality operator should be included as the generators to form a closed symmetry algebra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth retardation and prolonged marketing cycle have been noticed in the practical aquaculture of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) fed with artificial feed. Plant protein hydrolysates contain a large number of small peptides and free amino acids, which can improve the growth performance of aquatic animals. However, the potential mechanisms are still not well elucidated. In this research, the influences of cottonseed meal protein hydrolysate (CPH) on the growth, feed utilization, muscle growth, and molting performance were investigated in E. sinensis. A total of 240 crabs (mean body weight 37.32 ± 0.38 g) were individually randomly distributed to six diets supplemented with 0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, 1.6%, and 3.2% of CPH for 12 weeks. These findings indicated that the addition of CPH at 0.4% significantly increased the survival rate, body protein gain, apparent protein utilization, trypsin and pepsin activities, and the methyl farnesoate content. When the dose reached 0.8%, the weight growth ratio, meat yield, ecdysone concentration, and the transcription of the ecdysteroid receptor all significantly increased, while the transcriptions of both myostatin and molt-inhibiting hormone significantly decreased. When CPH was added at 1.6%–3.2%, the feed conversion ratio, body crude protein content, Na+/K+-ATPase activity, and the molting ratio were all significantly improved, while the opposite was true for the transcription of the transforming growth factor-β type I receptor. The investigation results indicated that when added above 0.4%, CPH could stimulate the growth performance of E. sinensis and promote the muscle growth and molting performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to understand the effects of glycyrrhetinic acid, berberine, and resveratrol on growth and inflammatory signalling in channel catfish fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Fish (average weight, 20 ± 0.15 g) were distributed randomly in 15 tanks (11 fish per tank). Fish were allocated randomly to five experimental diets: (control diet (ND); high-fat diet (HFD); high-fat diet + 0.3 mg/kg glycyrrhetinic acid (HFD + GA); high-fat diet + 50 mg/kg berberine (HFD + B); and high-fat diet + 400 mg/kg resveratrol (HFD + R). Each diet was tested in triplicates for eight weeks. The final body weight (FBW), body weight gain (BWG), specific growth rate (SGR), and condition factor (CF) were significantly lower in fish fed HFD. In contrast, opposite trends were observed in the feed conversion ratio (FCR), hepatosomatic index (HSI), visceralsomatic index (VSI), and mesenteric fat index (MFI). Fish fed HFD showed a higher trend (P < 0.05) in plasma glucose, cortisol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), liver total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), while opposite trends were found in total protein (TP) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). These parameters were all enhanced by feeding the additive-supplemented diets. Liver superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), plasma lysozyme (LYM), myeloperoxidase (MPO), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), acid phosphatase (ACP) activities, and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels were all lower in fish fed HFD as compared to the control group. However, supplementing GA, berberine, and resveratrol restored these parameters to similar levels to the control group. Upregulated gene expression of interleukin 1β (IL-1ß), nitric oxide (NOS), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), X box-binding protein 1 (XBP1s), coupled with tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), was observed in fish fed HFD, whereas reverse trends were observed in the additive-supplemented groups as compared to the control group. Overall, glycyrrhetinic acid, berberine, and resveratrol could reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation and enhance the immune response in channel catfish fed HFD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The leakage currents are appropriate for determining the contamination level of insulators in the power distribution system, which are efficiently cleaned or replaced during the maintenance schedule. In this research, the hybrid convolution neural network and gated recurrent unit model (CNN-GRU) are developed to categorize the leakage current pulse of the 15 kV HDPE insulator in the transmission towers in Taiwan. Many weather parameters are accumulated in the online monitoring system, which is installed in different transmission towers in coastal areas that suffer from heavy pollution. The Pearson correlation matrix is computed for selecting the high correlative features with the leakage current. Hyperparameter optimization is employed to decide the enhancing framework of the CNN-GRU methodology. The performance of the CNN-GRU is completely analyzed with other deep learning algorithms, which comprise the GRU, bidirectional GRU, LSTM, and bidirectional LSTM. The developed CNN-GRU acquired the most remarkable improvements of 79.48% CRE, 83.54% validating CRE, 14.14% CP, 20.89% validating CP, 66.24% MAE, 63.59% validating MAE, 73.24% MSE, and 71.59% validating MSE benchmarks compared with other methodologies. Therefore, the hybrid CNN-GRU methodology provides comprehensive information about the contamination degrees of insulator surfaces derived from the property of leakage currents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 4,4′‐Diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM) was exploited as hardener for diglycidyl ether of daidzein (DGED) and epoxy resin mixture (E‐D). The composites were produced by blending with different contents of ammonium polyphosphate (APP) and expandable graphite (EG) into E‐D resin, named E‐D/A‐E composites. Firstly, E‐D/A‐E blends were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and DSC to evaluate their curing behavior. The TGA was performed on the E‐D/A‐E composites to analyze their thermal stability, and the thermal properties of the composites were enhanced by adding APP‐EG (A‐E) flame retardants. The mechanical properties and the fractured surfaces of the E‐D/A‐E composites were studied by tensile, impact tests and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, through torch burning test, limiting oxygen index (LOI), vertical burning (UL‐94) and micro‐calorimetry tests, the influence of A‐E flame retardants contents on flammability of composites were evaluated. The results showed that the UL‐94 V‐0 rating was obtained for the E‐D/A‐E composites and the composites exhibited a self‐extinguishing phenomenon. When A‐E flame retardants content reached 9.1 wt%, the LOI value reached 34.5%, and total heat release (Total HR) was reduced by 20.2% compared with E‐D/A‐E 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of new psychoactive substances (NPS) is an active and cutting‐edge topic in forensic science. With the emergence of a large number of NPS, their timely identification to prevent spread can pose a challenge to clinical and forensic toxicology laboratories. Three emerging NPS had been identified in recently seized materials, including two synthetic cannabinoids [N‐(1‐amino‐3‐methyl‐1‐oxobutan‐2‐yl)‐1‐(4‐fluorobutyl)‐1H‐indazole‐3‐carboxamide (4F‐AB‐BUTINACA) and N‐(1‐amino‐3‐methyl‐1‐oxobutan‐2‐yl)‐1‐phenethyl‐1H‐indazole‐3‐carboxamide (AB‐PHETINACA)] and a ketamine‐like substance [2‐(2‐fluorophenyl)‐2‐(ethylamino) cyclohexan‐1‐one(2F‐NENDCK)]. The three compounds were first identified by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT‐IR), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐QTOF‐MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). These data may assist forensic analysts in analyzing the same substances or their homologous compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is aimed at evaluating the effects of leucine supplementation on muscle fibers growth and development of blunt snout bream through a feeding trial and a primary muscle cells treatment. An 8-week trial with diets containing 1.61% leucine (LL) or 2.15% leucine (HL) was conducted in blunt snout bream (mean initial weight = 56.56 ± 0.83 g). Results demonstrated that the specific gain rate and the condition factor of fish in the HL group were the highest. The essential amino acids content of fish fed HL diets was significantly higher than that fed LL diets. The texture (hardness, springiness, resilience, and chewiness), the small-sized fiber ratio, fibers density, and sarcomere lengths in fish all obtained the highest in the HL group. Additionally, the proteins expression related with the activation of the AMPK pathway (p-Ampk, Ampk, p-Ampk/Ampk, and Sirt1) and the expression of genes (myogenin (myog), myogenic regulatory factor 4 (mrf4) and myoblast determination protein (myod), and protein (Pax7) related to muscle fiber formation were significantly upregulated with increasing level of dietary leucine. In vitro, the muscle cells were treated with 0, 40 and 160 mg/L leucine for 24 h. The results showed that treated with 40 mg/L leucine significantly raised the protein expressions of BCKDHA, Ampk, p-Ampk, p-Ampk/Ampk, Sirt1, and Pax7 and the gene expressions of myog, mrf4, and myogenic factor 5 (myf5) in muscle cells. In summary, leucine supplementation promoted muscle fibers growth and development, which may be related to the activation of BCKDH and AMPK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High performance polymer composites are essential materials in nuclear applications where many components can receive high ionizing rays doses such as gamma-rays. In this work, two composites named E51WB and E51WB2 based on epoxy (E51) and tungsten borides (WB and WB2) were manufactured at room temperature and then exposed to gammarays doses up to 2000 KGy. The goal of this study was to investigate and compare the impact of gamma-rays on the chemical structure, mechanical and thermal properties of E51WB and E51WB2 composites using FTIR, SEM, TGA and tensile tests. As the results, the char yield (Yc) for E51WB gradually increased from 40 to 46% at 0, 1000 and 1500 KGy, then slightly drop to 44% at 2000 KGy. The E51WB sample displayed the strain value of 2.3% at 0 KGy, and it increased to 4.7 and 5 % at 1000 and 1500 KGy, respectively, while at 2000 KGy it decreased to 3.5%. This may be due to phenomena such as hydrogen abstraction, disproportion, degradation or the formation of new bonds. The comparison of the TGA results of E51WB and E51WB2 at 1000 and 1500 KGy respectively, leads to the conclusion that E51WB2 is thermally more resistant. In addition, by comparing the tensile strength of these two samples at the same irradiation doses, it can be stated that the E51WB2 composite is stronger than its counterpart E51WB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highly prevalent in an ageing society. The increased incidence and mortality rates of CVD are global issues endangering human health. There is an urgent requirement for understanding the aetiology and pathogenesis of CVD and developing possible interventions for preventing CVD in ageing hearts. It is necessary to select appropriate models and treatment methods. The D‐galactose‐induced cardiac ageing model possesses the advantages of low mortality, short time and low cost and has been increasingly used in the study of cardiovascular diseases in recent years. Therefore, understanding the latest progress in D‐galactose‐induced cardiac ageing is valuable. This review highlights the recent progress and potential therapeutic interventions used in D‐galactose‐induced cardiac ageing in recent years by providing a comprehensive summary of D‐galactose‐induced cardiac ageing in vivo and in vitro. This review may serve as reference literature for future research on age‐related heart diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a coordinated control strategy to solve the coupling problem between the multi-axle steering system and the active suspension system of emergency rescue vehicles. Firstly, an eleven-degree-of-freedom coupling model of an emergency rescue vehicle is established. Secondly, a dual sliding mode (DSM) controller is designed for the multi-axle steering system and a dual linear quadratic regulator (DLQR) controller is designed for the active suspension system. Finally, the coordinated control strategy is designed, and the weight values are selected using the fuzzy algorithm. Results show that compared with the individual control, the root mean square (RMS) value of the body roll angle, roll angle acceleration, and yaw angle acceleration with coordinated control are reduced by 16.89%, 29.08%, and 27.75%, respectively. The proposed coordinated control strategy effectively improves the handling stability and ride comfort of the vehicle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The randomly‐oriented glass fibers (GF) reinforced composites with Bisphenol A–amine based benzoxazine (BA‐a) and bio‐based eugenol‐based phthalonitrile (EPN) copolymer were developed by an isothermal compression molding technique. The silane coupling agent‐treated GF (TGF) reinforced composites showed much better impact strength as compared to as‐received GF reinforced composites. A rise of 95.2 MPa, 5.5GPa, 69.1 MPa, and 2.5GPa in flexural strength, flexural modulus, tensile strength, and Young's modulus were observed, respectively. The DMA results confirmed that the storage modulus (E') and glass transition temperature (Tg) were gradually increased and the damping factor decreased as the TGF reinforcement was raised from 0 to 40 wt%. E' and Tg values were 3.09 GPa and 27°C, respectively, higher than the recorded values for the neat copolymer. The 40 wt% TGF reinforced poly(BA‐a/EPN) composite showed the maximum thermal stability values of 475.4, 507.3°C, and 75.43% for T5, T10, and Yc, respectively. The LOI values confirm that the TGF/copolymer composites have self‐extinguishing properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polybenzoxazine (BA‐a) based nanocomposites with varying amounts of Bi2O3 particles reinforcement (10, 20, and 30 wt%) were produced. The structures of the Bi2O3 before and after surface silane treatment, as well as the structures of the BA‐a matrix and its nanocomposites, were all evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The thermal stability of the samples was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the resistance to bending was studied using the three‐point bending test. Then, an artificial neural network approach was used to estimate the thermal degradation and flexural strengths of the polybenzoxazine matrix and its nanocomposites. The results of the TGA analysis showed that when Bi2O3 content increased, the char yield (Yc) of the nanocomposites also increased from 27.98% to 43.53% for the experimental data and from 27.95% to 43 0.57% for the prediction, with all SDs less than 0.02. Moreover, both the experimental and predicted values of the flexural strengths for the unfilled BA‐a displayed 100.40 and 102.96 MPa, respectively and these values increased to 119.65 and 114.95 MPa when 10 wt% of fillers were incorporated into the matrix. However, for higher filler contents, 20 and 30 wt%, these values decreased to 112.94 and 108.01 MPa for the experiments, and 106.35 and 103.20 MPa for the prediction, respectively. The very small deviations (<0.05) between the experimental and predicted values demonstrated that the prediction approach using the artificial neural network is reliable and accurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, both pelleted feed (PF) and extruded feed (EF) have been widely adopted in the aquaculture industry. However, limited information is available comparing their utilization efficiencies and meanwhile interpreting the underlying mechanisms. This study aimed to compare the utilization efficiencies of both PF and EF by blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) based on growth performance, digestive capacities, and endocrine functions. Two feeds with identical formulas were prepared and named PF and EF. Fish were randomly distributed into two groups, including one that fed the PF continuously, and one that offered the EF continuously. The whole feeding trail lasted 8 weeks. The results showed that the protein efficiency (PER), retention of nitrogen and energy (NRE and ERE), viscera index (VSI), apparent digestibility of dry matter, protein, carbohydrate, and gross energy, whole-body crude protein and energy contents, intestinal enzymatic activities of protease, amylase, and Na+,K+-ATPase, intestinal villi length, crypt depth, muscular layer thickness, and the transcriptions of leptin (LEP) and cholecystokinin (CCK) of the EF group were all significantly higher than those of the PF group, while the opposite was true for feed intake and feed conversion ratio. These findings suggested that compared with PF, EF could improve the feed utilization and nutrient retention of blunt snout bream by enhancing the intestinal digestive and absorptive functions but reduce the feed intake through the stimulation of both LEP and CCK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, hazelnut shell (HS) particles were added to the bisphenol‐A aniline‐based benzoxazine (BA‐a) matrix and micro‐sized HS particles of varying weight percent (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%) were successfully blended with BA‐a resin. The effects of reinforcing HS particles to the neat matrix were studied. The curing behavior, mechanical properties, and thermal degradation of the composites were performed using differential scanning calorimetry, tensile and impact tests, and thermogravimetric analysis. Glass transition temperature (Tg) was lowered to 16°C which is 4% less than the neat matrix, increase in char yield (Yc) was recorded in composites. Tensile and impact strength of the prepared composites was improved significantly. There was 82.6% increase in Young's modulus and 74.1% increase in the tensile stress for the BA‐a/HS composite containing 25 wt% HS particles. Meanwhile, the impact strength of the composites was elevated, and a maximum of 207% increase in impact strength was observed without sacrificing other properties of the matrix. Additionally, finite element analysis was carried out on a cantilever beam designed in CATIA V5 with the properties of neat BA‐a and HS filled composites. The stress analysis was observed on different HS filled composites, showing better results for HS filled composites as compared to neat polymer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel autocatalytic phthalonitrile monomer [4,4′‐(((((oxy‐bis [4,1‐phenylene]) bis (azanediyl)) bis (methylene)) bis (2‐methoxy‐4,1‐phenylene)) bis (oxy)) diphthalonitrile, OPD] is obtained by nucleophilic substitution of 4‐nitro‐phthalonitrile and bisphenol compound [4,4′‐(((oxy bis [4,1‐phenylene]) bis (azanylylidene)) bis (methanylylidene)) bis (2‐methoxyphenol)]. Bisphenol compound is a reductant with secondary amine groups of Schiff base derived from the reaction of vanillin and 4,4′‐diaminodiphenylether. The OPD monomer has a self‐catalytic polymerizing reaction. OPD monomer has good processability, and the processing window was 130°C. Moreover, OPD polymer [poly(OPD)] shows higher glass‐transition temperature (345°C). The 5% and 10% thermal decomposition temperatures of poly(OPD) and char yield at 800°C are 407, 451°C, and 69%, respectively. To further improve the properties of poly(OPD), the OPD monomer was modified by multi‐functional fluorene‐based benzoxazine monomers (MFFB) due to their excellent reaction activities. The results showed that OPD/MFFB systems had high reaction activities. The similar thermal stabilities between OPD and MFFB can give stable and excellent thermal stability to the poly(OPD/MFFB). Compared with poly(OPD), the Tg values of poly(OPD/MFFB) were significantly increased, and their stiffness values were reduced. The tensile, flexural, and impact properties for poly(OPD/MFFB) were improved significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phthalonitrile resins were an important kind of matrix with high thermal stability. Novel organic–inorganic hybrid composites were prepared by employing 4,4′‐(1,3‐phenylenebis[oxy]) diphthalonitrile (DPN) modified with polyborosilazane ceramic precursor (PBSN) in this work to explore the methods for synthesis of phthalonitrile resin with good processability as well as high heat‐resistance. The maximal glass transition temperature (Tg) and 10% weight loss temperatures were about 615.0 and 608.1°C (N2), respectively. The detailed thermal oxygen decomposition processes and mechanisms were studied and Avrami‐Erofeev models were used for decomposition kinetic analysis of the hybrid matrix. According to the result of the scanning electron microscope, the PBSN was completely integrated into the phthalonitrile resin, and the heat‐resistant structure (SiO, BN and BO) could improve the heat resistance of DPN. The hybrid matrix could be used for heat‐resistant materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated the effects of dietary cholesterol (CHO) on growth, molting performance, CHO deposition, and lipid metabolism of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis). Six diets were formulated to contain 0% (control), 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.8%, and 1.6% CHO and were administered to E. sinensis 43.35 ± 0.05 g , for 16 weeks. From our results, crabs fed with 0.2% and 0.4% CHO diet, the final body weight (FBW), and weight gain ratio (WGR) increased significantly and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) decreased significantly compared with that of the control group. Furthermore, the molting performance of E. sinensis was significantly improved in crabs fed 0.2% CHO. Meanwhile, 0.2% CHO tends to upregulate molt-promoting genes and downregulate the expression of molt-inhibiting genes. It indicated that CHO might improve the molting performance of crabs by regulating ecdysteroid signal pathway transduction. In addition, dietary CHO can significantly increase the content of CHO in the hepatopancreas, muscle, and hemolymph. Moreover, dietary CHO increases the content of triglyceride (TG) in the hepatopancreas and hemolymph. The gene-related lipid metabolism shows that CHO may increase the lipid content by promoting lipid synthesis and inhibiting lipolysis. According to the results of this study, the dietary CHO requirement of E. sinensis is 0.27% for growth requirement and 0.45% for tissue CHO deposition based on the broken-line model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rheotanytarsus muscicola species group is generally considered to be a taxonomically difficult group of non-biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae). In this study, we review the R. muscicola species group based on the adult males from China using morphology and DNA barcodes. Rheotanytarsus ferringtoni Lin & Yao sp. n. is described and figured, and four species (Rheotanytarsus falcipedius Kyerematen, Andersen & Sæther, 2000; Rheotanytarsus fluminis Kawai & Sasa, 1985; Rheotanytarsus illiesi Siebert, 1979; and Rheotanytarsus photophilus Goetghebuer, 1921) new to China are redescribed, figured and discussed. An updated key to known adult males of the R. muscicola species group is presented. Our study shows concordance between morphological species concepts and DNA barcodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new kind of autocatalytic phthalonitrile monomer (PN) containing siloxane segments and secondary amino groups (TSOP) was synthesized from bisphenol compound and 4-nitrophthalonitrile using K2CO3 as a catalyst. Bisphenol was a reducing agent with a Schiff base containing secondary amine groups produced by the condensation reaction of 1,3-bis(3-amino-propyl)-1,1,3,3-tetra-methyl disiloxane and vanillin. The curing behaviors, kinetics, and thermal and thermomechanical characteristics of the TSOP monomer and its polymer (poly(TSOP)) were analyzed by torque rheometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravity analysis (TGA), and dynamic thermal mechanical analysis (DMA), respectively. The non-isothermal curing kinetics results indicated that the cyano addition polymerization of the TSOP monomer was a self-catalytic reaction. The active hydrogen atoms from the secondary amino groups in the TSOP monomer could accelerate the crosslinking polymerization reaction of cyano groups, producing a decline in the curing temperature and a rise in the curing rate. Meanwhile, the TSOP monomer had a low melting temperature (77 °C) and a wide process window (110 °C) due to the introduction of flexible siloxane segments. The poly(TSOP) having phthalocyanine and a triazine ring exhibited a higher glass transition temperature (Tg) of 348 °C and good thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of xylooligosaccharide (XOS) supplementation on growth, intestinal enzyme, antioxidant and immune‐related genes in common carp Cyprinus carpio fed a high‐fat diet (HFD). One hundred and ninety two fish with an initial weight of 19.61 ± 0.96 g were allocated into 24 tanks (eight fish per tank in four replicate) and were fed the control diet, HFD, HFD with 0.5%, 1%, 2% and 3% XOS supplementation. From the result, fish offered HFD with 1% XOS supplementation significantly obtained a higher body mass index and feed efficiency ratio, whereas condition factor was higher in fish fed HFD supplemented with 2% XOS but no difference was attributed to other supplemented group compared to control group. Also, fish fed HFD supplemented with 1%–2% XOS significantly improved protease, lipase, creatine kinase and sodium/potassium ATPase activities compared to other groups. Fish offered HFD were significantly lower in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), myeloperoxidase, acid phosphatase, lysozyme activities and immunoglobulin content, but the opposite result was found for aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase activities, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and cortisol content as compared with the control. However, this effect was reversed with HFD supplemented with XOS. Also, interleukin 1β, interleukin 8, tumour necrosis factors, interferons, caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 in the intestine were all up‐regulated in the HFD group, while the reverse pattern was found in SOD, GPX, lysozyme‐C, complement 3 and mucin 5b (muc5b), than the control group. These effects were all enhanced by feeding the XOS diet, especially those fed 1%–3% supplementation. In conclusion, XOS inclusion can improve the growth, digestive enzymes, antioxidants and immune response of common carp fed HFD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing need for high thermal and mechanical resistant lightweight syntactic foams demands the designing of new materials. Herein, we report the successful fabrication of lightweight and high thermal resistance syntactic foams with excellent thermal and good mechanical properties. For this end, 10–50 wt% hollow glass microsphere (HGMS) containing polybenzoxazine based syntactic foams were prepared by using bisphenol‐A‐aniline (BA‐a) and phenol‐diaminodiphenylmethane (P‐ddm) benzoxazine via curing at 10 MPa compression molding. The curing behavior, tensile, flexural, compressive, and impact strength, thermal properties, and fracture morphology of the syntactic foams were studied by DSC, universal material testing machine, and drop hammer impact testing machine, TGA, and SEM, respectively. The curing temperatures of BA‐a and P‐ddm benzoxazine resins were slightly increased after blending the HGMS. The highest decline (59%) in the density and highest void contains (13.17%) was recorded for the poly(P‐ddm/HGMS50) sample. The excellent specific mechanical properties of the syntactic foams were observed on the 30 wt% HGMS loading. The thermal conductivity of the foams was gradually decreased and the lowest values of 0.106 and 0.0985 W/m.K were observed for poly(BA‐a/HMGS50) and poly(P‐ddm/HGMS50) sample, respectively. Furthermore, a gradual improvement in the thermal properties was observed as the loading of HGMS increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A12-week experiment was conducted to evaluate the influences of thiamine ongrowth performance, and intestinal mitochondrial biogenesis and function of Megalobramaamblycephala fed a high-carbohydrate (HC) diet. Fish (24·73 (sem 0·45) g) were randomly assigned to one of four diets: two carbohydrate (CHO) levels (30 and 45 %) and two thiamine levels (0 and 1·5 mg/kg). HC diets significantly decreased DGC, GRMBW, FIMBW, intestinal activities of amylase, lipase, Na+, K+-ATPase, CK, complexes I, III and IV, intestinal ML, number of mitochondrial per field, ΔΨm, the P-AMPK: T-AMPK ratio, PGC-1β protein expression as well as the transcriptions of AMPKα1, AMPKα2, PGC-1β, mitochondrial transcription factor A, Opa-1, ND-1 and COX-1 and 2, while the opposite was true for ATP, AMP and reactive oxygen species, and the transcriptions of dynamin-related protein-1, fission-1 and mitochondrial fission factor. Dietarythiamine concentrations significantly increased DGC, GRMBW, intestinal activities of amylase, Na+, K+-ATPase, CK, complexes I and IV, intestinal ML, number of mitochondrial per field, ΔΨm, the P-AMPK:T-AMPK ratio, PGC-1β protein expression as well as the transcriptions of AMPKα1, AMPKα2, PGC-1β, Opa-1, ND-1, COX-1 and 2, SGLT-1 and GLUT-2. Furthermore, a significant interaction between dietary CHO and thiamine was observed in DGC, GRMBW, intestinal activities of amylase, CK, complexes I and IV, ΔΨm, the AMP:ATP ratio, the P-AMPK:T-AMPK ratio, PGC-1β protein expression as well as the transcriptions of AMPKα1, AMPKα2, PGC-1β, Opa-1, COX-1 and 2, SGLT-1 and GLUT-2. Overall, thiamine supplementation improved growth performance, and intestinal mitochondrial biogenesis and function of M. amblycephala fed HC diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles have been widely used in the improvement of the mechanical and thermal properties of the epoxy matrix. In this study, the room temperature curing agent composed of acrylic acid and 2,4,6‐trimethyl‐m‐phenylenediamine was mixed with different concentrations of CeO2 nanoparticles into the epoxy resin (E51) to obtain a nanocomposite that can be rapidly molded and cured. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were used to study the curing behavior of nanocomposites and E51 with the synthesized hardener. Through tensile, flexural, and impact tests, the influence of the nanoparticles content on the mechanical and thermal properties of the prepared composites was discussed. The results showed that the curing process was completed in 4 h. An increase of 78.4% in tensile strength, 81.7% in flexural strength, and 122.0% in elongation were obtained for the cured nanocomposite having 5 wt% CeO2 loading compared to the neat resin. Thermogravimetric analysis result showed that the thermal stability increased with increasing of CeO2 nanofillers content. Finally, the scanning electron microscope revealed the fracture surface morphology of the composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evolutionary analysis of Prodiamesinae has long been impeded by lack of information, and its phylogenetic relationship with Orthocladiinae remains questionable. Here, ten complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of Orthocladiinae sensu lato were newly sequenced, including three Prodiamesinae species and seven Orthocladiinae species. Coupled with published mitogenomes, a total of 12 mitogenomes of Orthocladiinae sensu lato were selected for a comparative mitogenomic analysis and phylogenetic reconstruction. Mitogenomes of Orthocladiinae sensu lato are conserved in structure, and all genes arrange the same gene order as the ancestral insect mitogenome. Nucleotide composition is highly biased, and the control region displayed the highest A + T content. All protein‐coding genes are under purifying selection, and the ATP8 evolves at the fastest rate. In addition, the mitogenomes of Orthocladiinae sensu lato are highly conserved, and they are practically useful for phylogenetic inference, suggesting a re‐classification of Orthocladiinae by sinking Prodiamesinae as a subgroup of Orthocladiinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]