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Nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) are the most important and largest class of immune receptors in plants. The Pi36 gene encodes a canonical CC-NBS-LRR protein that confers resistance to rice blast fungal infections. Here, we show that the CC domain of Pi36 plays a role in cell death induction. Furthermore, self-association is required for the CC domain-mediated cell death, and the self-association ability is correlated with the cell death level. In addition, the NB-ARC domain may suppress the activity of the CC domain through intramolecular interaction. The mutations D440G next to the RNBS-D motif and D503V in the MHD motif autoactivated Pi36, but the mutation K212 in the P-loop motif inhibited this autoactivation, indicating that nucleotide binding of the NB-ARC domain is essential for Pi36 activation. We also found that the LRR domain is required for D503V- and D440G-mediated Pi36 autoactivation. Interestingly, several mutations in the CC domain compromised the CC domain-mediated cell death without affecting the D440G- or D503V-mediated Pi36 autoactivation. The autoactivate Pi36 variants exhibited stronger self-associations than the inactive variants. Taken together, we speculated that the CC domain of Pi36 executes cell death activities, whereas the NB-ARC domain suppressed CC-mediated cell death via intermolecular interaction. The NB-ARC domain releases its suppression of the CC domain and strengthens the self-association of Pi36 to support the CC domain, possibly through nucleotide exchange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One-dimensional copper sulfide (CuS) wires were realized by the acrylamide-assisted hydrothermal process using Cu(NO3)2 and thiourea (NH2CSNH2) as reactants at 100 °C. A copper sulfide/carbon nanotube (CNTs) composite was fabricated as a similar method with the addition of CNTs. The samples are characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and Raman scattering spectra, respectively. The influence of reaction temperature and amine on the morphologies of CuS nanocrystals was investigated. As anode materials for sodium-ion batteries, the electrochemical studies show that the CuS/CNT composite electrode delivers a higher reversible capacity of 428.1 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 for the 100th cycle, because CNTs can be a conductive agent to provide a fast path for electron transportation, compared with the bare CuS wires (280 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles). The synthesis results indicate that the amine-directed synthesis strategy of copper sulfide could be extended for the preparation of other metal sulfide nanostructures. Further, the incorporation of the CNT matrix into the copper sulfide is an effective approach to enhance the electrochemical performance of CuS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the reaction mechanism of sludge, slag, lime, and fly ash in high temperature environments, the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test was hereby implemented to study the effect on curing age, curing temperature, slag content and fly ash content about the strength of sludge. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the microscopic composition of the substance, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to analyze the mineral composition at the micro level to further disclose its reinforcement mechanism. The experimental results demonstrate the difference in the strength measured by different dosage of curing agent, and results indicate that the strength of high temperature curing sample was obviously higher than that of low temperature curing sample. When the curing temperature rises, the pozzolanic reaction and hydration reaction between materials are accelerated, and a certain amount of gel products are produced, playing a precipitation and bonding role between particles. The 28 days and 90 days strengths of the sludge samples with 20% fly ash and 80% slag dosing at 40°C were 1139 KPa and 1194 KPa, which were 1.4 and 1.1 times of that of pure cement solidified sludge. At 60°C, the strength of 14 days, 28 days and 90 days were 802 KPa, 1298 KPa and 1363 KPa, which were 1.1, 1.5 and 1.3 times of that of pure cement solidified sludge. Under the influence of an alkaline environment, the silicon-aluminum grid structure was interconnected into a denser network structure, and the compressive strength of lime-activated fly ash-slag was thus continuously enhanced. Affected by the high temperature, lime-activated fly ash-slag solidified sludge could significantly improve the middle and late strength of the sample. The research showed that the new solidification material can replace partly the concrete curing agent, thereby alleviating the carbon emission and environmental pollution problems arising from cement solidified sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The layered nickel-cobalt-manganese LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 (LNCM) was investigated as commercializable and high reversible capacity cathode material by more and more investigators in recent years. In this paper, the LiNi1/3Co1/3−xMn1/3YxO2 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.10) samples were successfully obtained by a ball milling combined with calcination method. The synthesized LNCM nanocomposites are characterized by different analytical methods. The effect of amount of Y ions doping on the lithium storage performance of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 was also studied systematically. The Y3+ ions replace the part of Co ions, reducing cation mixing and increasing the diffusion coefficient of Li+ ions in the lattice. It causes the unit cell volume to become larger, and the structure of the material becomes more stable in the intercalation and de-intercalation process of Li+ ions. These test results show that LiNi1/3Co1/3−0.05Mn1/3Y0.05O2 (Y-0.05 LNCM) sample behaves best electrochemical properties with the specific capacity of 174.8 mAh g–1 at 0.5 C after 100 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reveal the mechanism of the influence of the curing temperature on the strength of lime activated fly ash-GGBS cured silt soil, the curing of dredged silt was carried out by using fly ash and GGBS as the curing agent and lime as the activator. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) experiments were carried out, and the micro-analysis of the cured silt was carried out by experimental methods including scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests, X-ray diffraction (XRD), etc. to reveal the mechanism of the curing temperature on the dredged silt. According to the test results, the hydration reaction and pozzolanic reaction between lime-fly ash-GGBS and silt soil were promoted with the increase of the curing temperature. when the curing temperature of the sample reached 40 ℃, a large amount of gel products such as hydrated calcium aluminate (C–A–H) and hydrated calcium silicate (C–S–H) were generated, which enhanced the bonding force between soil particles and filled up the inter-particle pore space, thereby improving the UCS of the sample. The results of SEM confirmed that C–A–H and C–S–H were the main substances for the construction of cured silt skeleton. C–S–H and C–A–H were detected by XRD. The results of the study fill the gap in the effect of curing temperature on the direction of lime-activated fly ash-GGBS cured silt soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZSSG (ZnSSe/rGO) composites are prepared by a hydrothermal method. The structure, morphology and material properties are investigated by various tests. Compared to ZnSe, the diffraction peaks of ZnSSe are moved to a larger angle and located between cubic phase ZnSe and cubic phase ZnS. The photocurrent density of ZSSG20 with 20 wt.% graphene is 2.17×10−5 A cm−2, which is 8.9 times higher than that of pure ZnSSe. ZSSG20 has the minimum charge transfer resistance and highest carrier density. The decreased fluorescence intensity in PL spectra indicates that graphene can effectively prevent the recombination of electron‐hole pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Grain size and weight determine rice yield. Although numerous genes and pathways involved in regulating grain size have been identified, our knowledge of post‐transcriptional control of grain size remains elusive. In this study, we characterize a rice mutant, decreased grain width and weight 1 (dgw1), which produces small grains. We show that DGW1 encodes a member of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) family protein and preferentially expresses in developing panicles, positively regulating grain size by promoting cell expansion in spikelet hulls. Overexpression of DGW1 increases grain weight and grain numbers, leading to a significant rise in rice grain yield. We further demonstrate that DGW1 functions in grain size regulation by directly binding to the mRNA of Grain Width 6 (GW6), a critical grain size regulator in rice. Overexpression of GW6 restored the grain size phenotype of DGW1‐knockout plants. DGW1 interacts with two oligouridylate binding proteins (OsUBP1a and OsUBP1b), which also bind the GW6 mRNA. In addition, the second RRM domain of DGW1 is indispensable for its mediated protein‐RNA and protein–protein interactions. In summary, our findings identify a new regulatory module of DGW1‐GW6 that regulates rice grain size and weight, providing important insights into the function of hnRNP‐like proteins in the regulation of grain size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Brassinosteroids (BRs) are a class of steroid phytohormones that control various aspects of plant growth and development. Several transcriptional factors (TFs) have been suggested to play roles in BR signaling. However, their possible relationship remains largely unknown. Here, we identified a rice mutant dwarf and low‐tillering 2 (dlt2) with altered plant architecture, increased grain width, and reduced BR sensitivity. DLT2 encodes a GIBBERELLIN INSENSITIVE (GAI)‐REPRESSOR OF GAI (RGA)‐SCARECROW (GRAS) TF that is mainly localized in the nucleus and has weak transcriptional activity. Our further genetic and biochemical analyses indicate that DLT2 interacts with two BR‐signaling‐related TFs, DLT and BRASSINAZOLE‐RESISTANT 1, and probably modulates their transcriptional activity. These findings imply that DLT2 is implicated in a potentially transcriptional complex that mediates BR signaling and rice development and suggests that DLT2 could be a potential target for improving rice architecture and grain morphology. This work also sheds light on the role of rice GRAS members in regulating numerous developmental processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on CEO‐TMT interface perspective, this study investigates the impact of CEO‐TMT faultline on corporate green innovation and the contextual role of Confucian culture. The empirical results show that CEO‐TMT knowledge‐based faultline is positively associated with corporate green innovation, resource‐based faultline is negatively correlated with green innovation, and the impact of identity‐based faultline is insignificant. Furthermore, when companies are more influenced by Confucian culture, the positive effect of CEO‐TMT knowledge‐based faultline is more pronounced. In contrast, the negative impact of CEO‐TMT identity‐based faultline is restrained, and CEO‐TMT identity‐based faultline is related to a higher level of green innovation. The study not only enriches the research of CEO‐TMT interaction in the field of green innovation but also provides theoretical reference and guidance for corporate green innovation practice under the context of the green transformation of economic structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lipid metabolism has a crucial role in neural repair in neurodegenerative diseases. We recently revealed that lipogenesis-mediated interleukin-33 (IL-33) upregulation lead to blood–brain barrier (BBB) repair after ischemic stroke. However, manipulating the key enzyme fatty acid synthase (FASN) to enhance lipogenesis was very challenging. Glyceryl triacetate (GTA) was used as a donor of acetate and precursor of acetyl coenzyme A, the key substrate for de novo lipogenesis catalyzed by FASN. Therefore, we hypothesized that GTA would promote lipogenesis the peri-infarct after ischemic stroke and contribute to the BBB repair through IL-33. Methods: Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed on C57BL mice and GTA was gavage administrated (4 g/kg) on day 2 and 4 after MCAO. Lipogenesis was evaluated by assessment of the protein level of FASN, lipid droplets, and fatty acid products through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in the peri-infarct area on day 3 after MCAO, respectively. BBB permeability was determined by extravasation of Evans blue, IgG and dextran, and levels of tight junction proteins in the peri-infarct area on day 7 after MCAO, respectively. Infarct size and neurological defects were assessed on day 7 after MCAO. Brain atrophy on day 30 and long-term sensorimotor abilities after MCAO were analyzed as well. The inhibitor of FASN, C75 and the virus-delivered FASN shRNA were used to evaluate the role of FASN-driven lipogenesis in GTA-improved BBB repair. Finally, the therapeutic potential of recombinant IL-33 on BBB repair and neurological recovery was evaluated. Results: We found that treatment with GTA increased the lipogenesis as evidenced by lipid droplets level and lauric acid content, but not the FASN protein level. Treatment with GTA increased the IL-33 level in the peri-infarct area and decreased the BBB permeability after MCAO. However, infarct size and neurological defect score were unchanged on day 7 after MCAO, while the long-term recovery of sensorimotor function and brain atrophy were improved by GTA. Inhibition of lipogenesis using C75 or FASN shRNA reversed the beneficial effect of GTA. Finally, exogenous IL-33 improved BBB repair and long-term functional recovery after stroke. Conclusion: Collectively, we concluded that treatment with GTA improved the BBB repair and functional recovery after ischemic stroke, probably by the enhancement of lipogenesis and IL-33 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/NiO heterostructures were successfully prepared by a simple one-step solvothermal method. The morphology of Fe3O4/NiO heterostructures is flower-like spheres composed of nanosheets with a thickness of 10–20 nm. As anode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the electrochemical performance of the Fe3O4 and Fe3O4/NiO heterostructures are comparatively investigated. At current density of 100 mA g−1, the Fe3O4/NiO heterostructures can maintain 1021 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. The discharge capacity can still maintain at 500 mAh g−1 and the coulomb efficiency is always stable at 99.6% after 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1. The Fe3O4/NiO heterostructures also have lower impedance and better rate capability, compared with the bare Fe3O4 electrode. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of the Fe3O4/NiO heterostructures can be further improved when the new binder CMC-Li is used. At 100 mA g−1, it can still maintain 1544 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles. These loose-layered nanosheets can effectively alleviate the volume expansion of materials in the process of charge and discharge. Meanwhile, the large surface area can provide more reaction sites. The ultra-thin nanosheet can also reduce the diffusion distance of lithium ions, so that the Fe3O4/NiO heterostructures have excellent performance in lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FeS2/CoS and FeS2/CoS/C composites were synthesized by solvothermal method and following vapor phase vulcanization at mild temperature with binary oxide CoFe2O4 as precursors. All FeS2/CoS composites prepared at different molar ratios of Fe3+ and Co2+ ions exhibit the similar morphology of solid microspheres. As anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), the as-prepared FeS2/CoS and FeS2/CoS/C composites show higher reversible capacity and better cycling performance, compared with the bare FeS2 and CoS. Among them, the FeS2/CoS composite with molar ratio of Fe3+ and Co2+ of 2:1 exhibits the high reversible capacity of 1150 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 100 mA g−1 and even 610 mAh g−1 at 1.0 A g−1 after 900 cycles. This strategy for synthesizing the heterogeneous structure of binary sulfide can effectively improve the kinetic which thus enhance the electrochemical performance of materials. This work can provide an effective method and idea for the preparation and modification of FeS2 and other transition metal sulfide anode materials for LIBs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemic stroke is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The current treatment fails to achieve satisfactory results, because interventional therapy as first-line treatment management has a strict time window. In recent years, a large number of studies have confirmed that adenosine, as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, has a protective effect on cerebral ischemic injury. Nevertheless, direct administration of adenosine has many side effects. Previous studies showed that adenosine exerted neuroprotective effects mainly through adenosine receptor A1 (A1 receptor). Therefore, further study on the mechanism of A 1 receptor induced neuroprotection may find new targets for stroke treament. Mitochondrial biogenesis (MB) is a therapeutic target for ischemic stroke, and the nuclear-encoded peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) is a major regulator of MB. However, the influence of A1 receptor on MB and PGC-1α is unclear. In this study, using the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of mice, we evaluated the temporal and spatial effects of A1 receptor after ischemic stroke and verified the neuroprotection of A1 receptor. Neurological scores were used to assess functional changes in mice. At the same time, we observed the effect of activating A1 receptor on MB and PGC-1α, and the effect of knockdown PGC-1α on A1 receptor induced MB in vitro. WB and immunofluorescence were used to detect relevant indicators of MB. In addition, we downregulated PGC-1α in vivo to observe the effects on A1 receptor induced MB and neuroprotection. The findings indicated that A1 receptor was increased and mainly expressed on neurons in the penumbra, further activated A1 receptor after stroke had neuroprotection. In vitro, activation of A1 promotes MB and increases the expression level of PGC-1α, while downregulation of PGC-1α partially reverses the effect of A1 receptor after OGD/R. Down regulation of PGC-1α in the penumbra neurons can reverse the effects of activation of A1 receptor on MB and neuroprotection. Taken together, these findings indicated that A1receptor promotes MB and improves neurological function after ischemic stroke via PGC-1α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a common but serious complication in septic survivors and often causes long-term cognitive impairments. The role of RIPK3-participated necroptosis in SAE remains obscured. STING is a key molecule in regulating necroptosis and apoptosis. However, there is uncertainty as to the mechanisms of STING in CLP-induced SAE. The aim of this study was to investigate whether STING is involved in the underlying mechanism of SAE. Methods: The contextual fear conditioning test (CFCT) assesses cognitive impairment. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used to notice the necroptosis. Western blotting and immunofluorescence labeling were applied for the observation of related proteins. Results: The phosphorylated STING in the hippocampal neuron of SAE mice was significantly elevated. Knocking down STING inhibited necroptosis and attenuated cognitive impairment in SAE mice. Moreover, RIPK3−/− mice had less cognitive deficit in the SAE model. However, STING overexpression did not deteriorate cognitive impairment in RIPK3−/− mice with SAE, indicating that STING is upstream involved in necroptosis. Furthermore, PERK inhibition ameliorated cognitive deficits through a STING-dependent pathway in SAE mice. Conclusion: PERK-STING-RIPK3 pathway facilitates cognitive impairment by inducing neuronal necroptosis in the pathology of SAE, which provided a new therapeutic target in SAE treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ubiquitin‐specific proteases (UBPs) process deubiquitination in eukaryotic organisms and are widely involved in plant development and responses to environmental stress. However, their role in cell death and plant immunity remains largely unknown. Here, we identified a rice lesion mimic mutant (LMM) and cloned its causative gene, LMM22. Both dysfunction and overexpression of LMM22 gave rise to the hypersensitive response‐like cell death, reactive oxygen species bursts, and activated defence responses. LMM22 encodes an active UBP that is localised to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and displays a constitutive expression pattern in rice. LMM22 interacts with SPOTTED LEAF 35 (SPL35), a coupling of ubiquitin conjugation to ER degradation domain‐containing protein that is known to participate in ubiquitination and the regulation of cell death and disease response in rice. Additional analyses suggest that LMM22 can positively regulate and stabilise the abundance of SPL35 protein likely through its deubiquitination activity. These data therefore improve our understanding of the function of UBP in rice innate immune responses by demonstrating that LMM22 functions as a critical regulator of SPL35 in cell death and disease resistance. Summary statement: This study shows that the active UBP LMM22 regulates cell death and plant immunity in rice by interacting with and stabilising a CUE domain‐containing protein (SPL35). These findings illuminate on the role of OsUBP‐mediated deubiquitination in rice immune responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MoSe2/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite was synthesized by a hydrothermal method and followed by annealing in Ar gas using Na2MoO4·2H2O, CN2H4Se, and NH2OH·HCl as reactants in the presence of CNTs. The products were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that the introduction of CNTs plays a crucial role in the morphology and electrochemical performance as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The MoSe2/CNT electrode exhibits a high reversible capacity of 1140 mAh g−1 and 1014 mAh g−1 at the current density of 100 mA g−1 for LIBs and SIBs, respectively. The MoSe2/CNT electrode exhibits higher capacity, better cycling stability compared with the bare MoSe2. The MoSe2 and MoSe2/CNT composite behave good electrochemical properties may be due to their flower-like nanosheets, well-stacked layers, and 3D CNTs networks. The results suggest that the MoSe2/CNT composite could be a promising anode material for LIB and SIB applications. Moreover, our present work provides a new approach for the fabrication of well-crystalline MoSe2 material and further applications in lithium/sodium storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newborn neurons from the subventricular zone (SVZ) are essential to functional recovery following ischemic stroke. However, the number of newly generated neurons after stroke is far from enough to support a potent recovery. Adiponectin could increase neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the effect of adiponectin on the neurogenesis from SVZ and the functional recovery after ischemic stroke was unknown, and the underlying mechanism was not specified either. The middle cerebral artery occlusion model of mice was adopted and adiponectin was administrated once a day from day 3 to 7 of reperfusion. The levels of BDNF and p-STAT3 were detected by western blotting on day 7 of reperfusion. The virus-encoded BDNF shRNA with GFAP promoter and a STAT3 inhibitor Stattic were used, respectively. Neurogenesis was evidenced by the expression of doublecortin and 5-bromo-2ʹ-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labelling and brain atrophy was revealed by Nissl staining on day 28 of reperfusion. Neurological functional recovery was assessed by the adhesive removal test and the forepaw grip strength. We found that adiponectin increased both the doublecortin-positive cells and NeuN/BrdU double-positive cells around the injured area on day 28 of reperfusion, along with the improved long-term neurological recovery. Mechanistically, adiponectin increased the protein levels of p-STAT3 and BDNF in astrocytes on day 7 of reperfusion, while silencing BDNF diminished the adiponectin-induced neurogenesis and functional recovery. Moreover, inhibition of STAT3 not only prevented the increase of BDNF but also the improved neurogenesis and functional recovery after stroke. In conclusion, adiponectin enhances neurogenesis and functional recovery after ischemic stroke via STAT3/BDNF pathway in astrocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most current traffic safety evaluations using traffic conflict techniques are based on the principles of vehicle dynamics and kinematics. In these evaluations, a lack of consideration of the coupling mechanism among drivers, road users and the road environment leads to a large limitation in the practical application of such evaluations. In this paper, we firstly considered the driver characteristics in traffic conflicts and introduced the electric field model to establish the psychological field model of a driver in a conflict environment and to obtain the psychological field strength of the driver. Secondly, based on the classification criteria of traffic conflict severity, the psychological field strengths of drivers in different traffic conflict scenarios were categorized, and the range values of psychological field strengths of different severity levels were obtained. Finally, the analysis of the experimental results showed that the mean value and standard deviation of the drivers' mental field strengths were the largest in the opposite-direction conflict, indicating the largest dispersion of the field strengths; in the construction conflict, the mean value and standard deviation of the drivers' mental field strengths were the smallest, indicating the smallest dispersion of the field strengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given that battery-powered electric vehicles and other power equipment put forward higher requirements for long recharge mileage, the development of high-performance lithium batteries (LBs) has become necessary. Accordingly, one of the effective ways to achieve this is to increase the cell voltage and energy density of LBs. However, these high-cell-voltage and high-energy-density LBs face the challenges of severe electrolyte decomposition and electrode corrosion in a high-voltage environment. In this review, the issues associated with the electrolyte for high-cell-voltage and high-energy-density LBs are comprehensively reviewed in terms of the types of electrolytes and electrolyte additives, their functional mechanisms and their performance validation. Also, we focus on electrolyte ion solvation and the internal solvent structure based on both solution chemistry and solvation theory. Both the high concentration strategy and solvent modification are identified to be effective in improving the performance of high-cell-voltage and high-energy-density LBs. In addition, the selection of new organic lithium salts instead of traditional lithium salts and electrolyte additive design have also been identified to be important ways. To facilitate further research and development, herein, some technical challenges are analyzed and the future research directions for overcoming the discussed challenges are also proposed. This review may provide theoretical support for electrolyte design and additive selection for high-cell-voltage and high-energy-density LBs in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic-rich soil is a typical special soil often encountered in foundation treatment. Previous research has revealed that Portland cement (PC) not only pollutes the environment but is significantly affected by organic matter during its hydration and cementation. Although quicklime (CaO)-GGBS binder (CG) is an effective alternative to PC, its efficiency in treating organic-rich soils has not been studied. In this study, organic-rich soil was treated with two binders of CG and PC. The physical, mechanical, and chemical characteristics of the stabilized soils were tested at various organic contents, binder contents, and curing ages. The results show that the cracks in two treated soils increase with the increase in organic content and the reduction in binder content. CG-treated soils are more likely to shed big lumps after damage than PC-treated soils. The unconfined compressive strength (qu) and deformation modulus (E50) of stabilized soils increase with the increasing curing age and binder content but the decreasing organic content. The E50 of PC-treated soil is about 22~73 times qu, and the E50 of CG-treated soil shows an excellent linear relationship with qu. The moisture content of two treated soils increases as the organic content grows, but it falls as the curing age and binder content increase. The soil pH rises with the increasing organic content and binder content, but it declines with increased curing age. The strength development of organic-rich soils treated by the CG binder has an evident attenuation with the organic content. Given its possible environmental benefit, alkali (especially low calcium)-activated binder is appropriate for practical engineering with modest strength needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Pollen development includes a series of biological events that require precise gene regulation. Although several transcription factors (TFs) have been shown to play roles in maintaining pollen fertility, the major regulatory networks underlying tapetum development and pollen wall formation are largely unknown. Herein, we report that ABERRANT MICROSPORE DEVELOPMENT1 (AMD1), a protein annotated previously as unknown protein, is required for tapetum development and pollen exine patterning in rice (Oryza sativa L.). AMD1 encodes a grass‐specific protein exhibiting transactivation activity in the nucleus and is spatiotemporally expressed in the tapetum and microspores during pollen development. Further biochemical assays indicate that AMD1 directly activates the transcription of DEFECTIVE POLLEN WALL (DPW) and POLYKETIDE SYNTHASE2 (OsPKS2), which are both implicated in sporopollenin biosynthesis during exine formation. Additionally, AMD1 directly interacts with TAPETUM DEGENERATION RETARDATION (TDR), a key TF involved in the regulation of tapetum degradation and exine formation. Taken together, we demonstrate that AMD1 is an important regulatory component involved in the TDR‐mediated regulatory pathway to regulate sporopollenin biosynthesis, tapetum degradation, and exine formation for pollen development. Our work provides insights into the regulatory network of rice sexual reproduction and a useful target for genetic engineering of new male‐sterile lines for hybrid rice breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes can cause vascular remodelling and is associated with worse outcome after ischaemic stroke. Pioglitazone is a commonly used anti‐diabetic agent. However, it is not known whether pioglitazone use before ischaemia could reduce brain ischaemic injury. Pioglitazone was administered to 5‐week‐old db+ or db/db mice. Cerebral vascular remodelling was examined at the age of 9 weeks. Expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ), p‐PPARγ (S112 and S273), nucleotide‐binding domain (NOD)‐like receptor protein 3 (Nlrp3), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) was evaluated in the somatosensory cortex of mice. Neurological outcome was evaluated 24 h after brain ischaemia. Results showed that early pioglitazone treatment provided a long‐lasting effect of euglycaemia but enhanced hyperlipidaemia in the db/db mice. Diabetic mice exhibited increased vascular tortuosity, narrower middle cerebral artery (MCA) width and IgG leakage in the brain. These changes were blocked by early pioglitazone treatment. In diabetic animals, PPARγ expression was reduced, and p‐PPARγ at S273 but not S112, Nlrp3, IL‐1β and TNF‐α were increased in the somatosensory cortex. PPARγ decrease and Nlrp3 increase were mainly in the neurons of the diabetic brain, which was reversed by early pioglitazone treatment. Pioglitazone attenuated the aggravated neurological outcome after stroke in diabetic mice. But this protective effect was abolished through restoring cerebral inflammation by intracerebroventricular administration of IL‐1β and TNF‐α in pioglitazone‐treated diabetic mice before MCAO. In summary, early pioglitazone treatment attenuates cerebral vascular remodelling and ischaemic brain injury possibly via blocking chronic neuroinflammation in the db/db mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement solidification was a widely used method to broaden the resource utilization of dredged sludge. However, the organic matter in sludge limit the application of cement solidification. The fulic acid (FA) was used to simulate the natural organic matter in sludge. With the increase in FA content, the sludge gradually changed from low-liquid-limit clay to high-liquid-limit clay. The unconfined compression test showed that the strength of cement-solidified dredged sludge (CDS) decreased with FA content. The influence mechanism of the FA on cement solidification was revealed by a water content test, a hydration heat test, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. FA hindered the conversion of pore water to combined water and reduced the hydration heat inside CDS. The FA in sludge weakened the internal bond within CDS by hindering the development of C-S-H gel from spheroidal to flake. At the same time, the final amount of hydrates such as C-S-H, C-A-H and AFt also decreased in the CDS containing FA. The weakening mechanism of FA on the strength of CDS can be attributed to three aspects: (1) FA adsorbed on the surface of cement minerals and hindered the contact between cement minerals and pore water; (2) acidic FA reduced the pH of the pore liquid in CDS; (3) the carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups of FA adsorbed calcium ions in pore liquid through ion coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) is potentially beneficial for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal cerebral ischemia but inevitably increases the risk of cerebral hemorrhage and breast cancer when used for a long period of time. Genistein, a natural phytoestrogen, has been reported to contribute to the recovery of postmenopausal ischemic stroke with reduced risks. However, the underlying mechanism of genistein-mediated neuroprotection remains unclear. We reported that genistein exerted significant neuroprotective effects by enhancing the expression of neuronal G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in the ischemic penumbra after cerebral reperfusion in ovariectomized (OVX) mice, and this effect was achieved through GPER-mediated inhibition of nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation. In addition, we found that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) was the pivotal molecule that participated in GPER-mediated inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in OVX mice after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Our data suggest that the neuronal GPER/PGC-1α pathway plays an important role in genistein-mediated neuroprotection against I/R injury in OVX mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical solidification based on cement is one of the most widely used methods to treat marine dredged silt (DS) with very poor engineering properties. This study investigated the strength and microstructure of cement-solidified salt-rich dredged silt (CSDS) modified by nanoparticles. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) test showed that the UCS of CSDS containing 9% NaCl was obviously lower than that without NaCl. Furthermore, the detrimental effect of chloride salt on the UCS increased with its content significantly. The nano-SiO2 (NS) used as cement additives can significantly improve the UCS of CSDS and adding 8% NS can reduce cement usage by at least 40%. Compared with NS, the nano-MgO (NM) mainly improved the early UCS of CSDS within 7 days. The needle-like Friedel's salt (the reaction product of chloridion with cement) and lamellar brucite (expansive mineral) were clearly detected by the X-ray diffraction test. The calcium silicate hydrate and magnesium silicate hydrate mainly contributed to construct the skeleton, which was confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy images. The NS and NM with high reactivity can be used as effective cement additives to overcome the negative effect of chloride salt, so as to increase the strength of CSDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs) are widely distributed in plant cells. Fasciclin‐like AGPs (FLAs) belong to a subclass of AGPs that play important roles in plant growth and development. However, little is known about the biological functions of rice FLA. Herein, we report the identification of a male‐sterile mutant of DEFECTIVE EXINE AND APERTURE PATTERNING1 (DEAP1) in rice. The deap1 mutant anthers produced aberrant pollen grains with defective exine formation and a flattened aperture annulus and exhibited slightly delayed tapetum degradation. DEAP1 encodes a plasma membrane‐associated member of group III plant FLAs and is specifically and temporally expressed in reproductive cells and the tapetum layer during male development. Gene expression studies revealed reduced transcript accumulation of genes related to exine formation, aperture patterning, and tapetum development in deap1 mutants. Moreover, DEAP1 may interact with two rice D6 PROTEIN KINASE‐LIKE3s (OsD6PKL3s), homologs of a known Arabidopsis aperture protein, to affect rice pollen aperture development. Our findings suggested that DEAP1 is involved in male reproductive development and may affect exine formation and aperture patterning, thereby providing new insights into the molecular functions of plant FLAs in male fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of sludge with different consistency limits solidified by cement was investigated. The results showed that under the condition of constant initial water content, a higher liquid index of soil resulted in higher UCS. A novel strength-evaluation model based on the ratio of the liquid index to the cement content was developed, and the prediction deviation of the model was within 30%. The influence mechanism of the consistency limit of sludge on the cement solidification was revealed by scanning electron microscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry, X-ray diffractometer and thermogravimetric analysis. For the cement-solidified dredged sludge (CDS) with a lower liquid index, a large amount of hydrate was interlaced with each other and wrapped soil particles, promoting the formation of a dense structure. For the CDS with a higher liquid index, hydrates such as C-S-H and ettringite challenged each other to play the role of "cementing particles" and "filling pores", resulting in the formation of the porous structure. The mineralogical analyses confirmed that more C-S-H gels and ettringites were generated in the CDS with a lower liquid index, but less calcite was formed due to its denser structure. In engineering applications, reducing the liquid index by adjusting the consistency limit can improve the strength performance of CDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement-stabilized dredged sediment (CDS) when used as a new road construction material cannot only solve the problem of abandoned sediment disposal, but also effectively save natural soil resources. This study aimed to evaluate the strength and permeability of CDS and establish corresponding prediction models from the perspective of a stabilization mechanism. The soil–water composition and pore size distribution were investigated by the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. The results demonstrated that more liquid pore water inside the CDS specimen transformed into combined water with cement hydration. The amount of combined water, which essentially characterized the hydration process of cement, presented a linear relationship with log (t). The cementation and filling action of hydrates resulted in the transformation of large pores into smaller ones, hence the optimal pore size decreased with an increasing curing period and cement content. The stress–strain curves and hydraulic conductivity were determined based on unconfined compression and flexible wall penetration tests, respectively. The unconfined compressive strength increased exponentially with the amount of combined water, and the functional correlations of hydraulic conductivity and micropore parameters were established. The reliability of the NMR technique as a new method to study the microscopic evolution mechanism of the strength and permeability of CDS was further verified by scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a triple-band microstrip antenna with compact size and simple structure is proposed for WLAN and 5G applications. The radiating element consists of a circular patch, a Y-shaped patch, and a monopole impedance converter. In order to obtain the desired operating bands, the monopole impedance converter is inserted between the circular patch and Y-shaped patch. The proposed antenna can work in the frequency range of 2.38∼2.53 GHz, 3.29∼4.11 GHz, and 4.72∼5.01 GHz, with the corresponding peak gains of 4.09 dBi (2.4 GHz), 2.95 dBi (3.5 GHz), and 4.01 dBi (4.9 GHz), respectively. The measures' results are in approximate agreement with the simulated values, which shows that the proposed compact antenna can offer omnidirectional radiation, appropriate gains, and sufficient bandwidths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different amounts of Fe2O3-coated NiMoO4/NiO composites were prepared by solvothermal method following with annealing process. The as-prepared NiMoO4/NiO@Fe2O3 composite exhibits a reversible specific capacity of 1250 mAh g−1 after 150 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g−1 as anode for lithium-ion batteries. It exhibits efficient long-term electrochemical performance and maintains the capacity at about 750 mAh g−1 at a high current density of 500 mA g−1 after 200 cycles. The good electrochemical performance of the NiMoO4/NiO@Fe2O3 composite may be due to its smaller size and the Fe2O3 coating which can restrain its volume collapse during the charge–discharge cycle. This work could provide a promising strategy for enhancing the performance of molybdate-based composite materials for practical application in lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The curing stress can significantly improve the engineering properties of cement-treated dredged soil (CDS). Based on the large-scale consolidation tests, this study investigated the settlement pattern of CDS under the curing stress of 0–100 kPa, and the pressure dissipation and chemical properties of pore water were also explored. The results showed that the application of curing stress greatly accelerated the settlement of CDS and significantly reduced its void ratio, however, the consolidation efficiency gradually weakened with the increase of cement content. With the curing stress increasing, the completion time of primary settlement of CDS was prolonged, and the pH and EC values of the pore water both gradually increased. The void-ratio reduction of CDS during stress curing arises from the combined effect of mechanical compression and chemical filling, and the two effects have different contributions to the reduction of void ratio at different consolidation stages. Moreover, the effects of curing stress on the microstructure of CDS were also investigated by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and mercury intrusion porosimeter (MIP) tests. The results show that with the curing stress applied, the volume of large pore in CDS significantly decreased and the structure became denser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, a novel compact frequency beam-scanning antenna (FBSA) using composite waveguide based on folded half-mode substrate integrated waveguide (FHMSIW) and spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPP) is proposed. The novel composite FHMSIW/SSPP waveguide with compact size and high field-confinement is initiated by embedding dual SSPP structures into the FHMSIW. Its transmission characteristic has flexible features from both the FHMSIW and SSPP. To excite the radiation mode from the composite slow-wave waveguide, a simple single-sided sinusoidal modulation method is designed and used. In this way, the common open stop-band problem around broadside is effectively eliminated, and the beam-scanning range of the antenna can be flexibly designed without changing the modulation structure. The presented scanning antenna owns a compact size and a simple feeding network. The experimental results indicate that the proposed FBSA can achieve continuous beam scanning from backward to forward in a wide scanning range of 60° within a bandwidth of 7.7–10.1 GHz. The stable unidirectional radiation patterns and appropriate gains are also realized in the entire operating frequency band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given their high energy/power densities and long cycle time, lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have become one type of the most practical power sources for electric/hybrid electric automobile, portable electronics, and power plants. However, the performance attenuation of LIBs has limited their applications in many energy‐related systems. In this review, the performance attenuation mechanisms of LIBs and the effort in development of mitigation strategies are comprehensively reviewed in terms of the commonly used cathode materials and anode materials, electrolytes, and current collectors. Several challenges are analyzed and several further research directions are also proposed for overcoming the challenges toward improvement of LIB performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given their high energy/power densities and long cycle time, lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have become one type of the most practical power sources for electric/hybrid electric automobile, portable electronics, and power plants. However, the performance attenuation of LIBs has limited their applications in many energy‐related systems. In this review, the performance attenuation mechanisms of LIBs and the effort in development of mitigation strategies are comprehensively reviewed in terms of the commonly used cathode materials and anode materials, electrolytes, and current collectors. Several challenges are analyzed and several further research directions are also proposed for overcoming the challenges toward improvement of LIB performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NASICON type Na3V2(PO4)3, as a class of cathode material, have attracted much attention and achieved great success especially in case of sodium-ion battery. Herein, carbon-coated Na3V2(PO4)3 nanoplates are fabricated through a solvothermal method combined with thermal treatment. The nanoplate structure and carbon-coated layer could bring several advantages; for example, the nanoplate structure can provide sufficient specific surface area to contact with electrolyte, leading to easy transmission of sodium ions. In addition, carbon coating could indeed increase the electrode conductivity and simultaneously restrain the volume expansion of Na3V2(PO4)3 electrode material during the intercalation/extraction of Na+ ions. Consequently, the carbon-coated Na3V2(PO4)3 nanoplates exhibit impressive sodium storage performance with a high reversible capacity of 107 mAh g–1 at 1 C after 300 cycles and 91 mAh g–1 at 10 C after 2000 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel frequency beam‐scanning (FBS) antenna based on composite substrate integrated waveguide/spoof surface plasmon polariton (SIW/SSPP) waveguide is proposed. The composite SIW/SSPP slow‐wave waveguide is designed by embedding a series of periodic subwavelength H‐shaped grooves on the top surface of the SIW. Its transmission characteristics own both the features from SIW and SSPP, and can be flexibly mansplained by tuning the key structural parameters. To convert the propagating composite slow‐wave mode into the radiation mode effectively, a new flexible digital modulation method with staggered metallic vias is proposed and used. The presented beam‐scanning antenna has a simple feeding structure, a single dielectric layer, and a compact volume of 0.75 × 8.55 × 0.015 λ03. A prototype of the antenna is fabricated and tested to verify its performance. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed antenna can realise a continuous beam‐scanning angle of 49° in an operating bandwidth of 8.7–9.2 GHz with a high frequency‐scanning sensitivity (FSS) of 9.8 °/100 MHz−1. Moreover, the measured results indicate that the antenna has high peak gain with an average level of 12.7 dBi, high radiation efficiency with an average level of 87%, and stable unidirectional radiation pattern in the working band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Sevoflurane preconditioning (SPC) results in cerebral ischemic tolerance; however, the mechanism remains unclear. Promoting microglia/macrophages polarization from pro‐inflammatory state to anti‐inflammatory phenotype has been indicated as a potential treatment target against ischemic stroke. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of SPC on microglia polarization after stroke and which signaling pathway was involved in this transition. Methods: Mouse primary microglia with SPC were challenged by oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and mice with SPC were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Then, the mRNA and protein levels of pro‐inflammatory/anti‐inflammatory factors were analyzed. GSK‐3β phosphorylation and Nrf2 nuclear translocation were measured. The mRNA and protein expression of pro‐inflammatory/anti‐inflammatory factors, neurological scores, infarct volume, cellular apoptosis, the proportion of pro‐inflammatory/anti‐inflammatory microglia/macrophages, and the generation of super‐oxidants were examined after SPC or GSK‐3β inhibitor TDZD treatment with or without Nrf2 deficiency. Results: Sevoflurane preconditioning promoted anti‐inflammatory and inhibited pro‐inflammatory microglia/macrophages phenotype both in vitro and in vivo. GSK‐3β phosphorylation at Ser9 was increased after SPC. Both SPC and TDZD administration enhanced Nrf2 nuclear translocation, reduced pro‐inflammatory microglia/macrophages markers expression, promoted anti‐inflammatory markers level, and elicited a neuroprotective effect. Nrf2 deficiency abolished the promoted anti‐inflammatory microglia/macrophages polarization and ischemic tolerance induced by TDZD treatment. The reduced percentage of pro‐inflammatory positive cells and super‐oxidants generation induced by SFC or TDZD was also reversed by Nrf2 knockdown. Conclusions: Our results indicated that SPC exerts brain ischemic tolerance and promotes anti‐inflammatory microglia/macrophages polarization by GSK‐3β‐dependent Nrf2 activation, which provides a novel mechanism for SPC‐induced neuroprotection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The plant pollen wall protects the male gametophyte from various biotic and abiotic stresses. The formation of a unique pollen wall structure and elaborate exine pattern is a well‐organized process, which needs coordination between reproductive cells and the neighboring somatic cells. However, molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unknown. Here, we report a rice male‐sterile mutant (l94) that exhibits defective pollen exine patterning and abnormal tapetal cell development. MutMap and knockout analyses demonstrated that the causal gene encodes a type‐G non‐specific lipid transfer protein (OsLTPL94). Histological and cellular analyses established that OsLTPL94 is strongly expressed in the developing microspores and tapetal cells, and its protein is secreted to the plasma membrane. The l94 mutation impeded the secretory ability of OsLTPL94 protein. Further in vivo and in vitro investigations supported the hypothesis that ETERNAL TAPETUM 1 (EAT1), a basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factor (bHLH TF), activated OsLTPL94 expression through direct binding to the E‐box motif of the OsLTPL94 promoter, which was supported by the positive correlation between the expression of EAT1 and OsLTPL94 in two independent eat1 mutants. Our findings suggest that the secretory OsLTPL94 plays a key role in the coordinated development of tapetum and microspores with the regulation of EAT1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Astrocytic glycogen works as an essential energy reserve for surrounding neurons and is reported to accumulate excessively during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Our previous study found that accumulated glycogen mobilization exhibits a neuroprotective effect against I/R damage. In addition, ischemia could transform astrocytes into A1-like (toxic) and A2-like (protective) subtypes. However, the underlying mechanism behind accumulated glycogen mobilization-mediated neuroprotection in cerebral reperfusion injury and its relationship with the astrocytic A1/A2 paradigm is unknown.Methods: Astrocytic glycogen phosphorylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in glycogen mobilization, was specifically overexpressed and knocked down in mice and in cultured astrocytes. The I/R injury was imitated using a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion model in mice and an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation model in cultured cells. Alterations in A1-like and A2-like astrocytes and the expression of phosphorylated nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) were determined by RNA sequencing, immunofluorescence and immunoblotting. Metabolites, including glycogen, NADPH, glutathione and reactive oxygen species (ROS), were analyzed by biochemical analysis.Results: Here, we observed that astrocytic glycogen mobilization inhibited A1-like astrocytes and enhanced A2-like astrocytes after reperfusion in an experimental ischemic stroke model in vivo and in vitro. In addition, glycogen mobilization could enhance the production of NADPH and glutathione by the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and reduce ROS levels during reperfusion. NF-κB inhibition and STAT3 activation caused by a decrease in ROS levels were responsible for glycogen mobilization-induced A1-like and A2-like astrocyte transformation after I/R. The astrocytic A1/A2 paradigm is closely correlated with glycogen mobilization-mediated neuroprotection in cerebral reperfusion injury.Conclusions: Our data suggest that ROS-mediated NF-κB inhibition and STAT3 activation are the key pathways for glycogen mobilization-induced neuroprotection and provide a promising metabolic target for brain reperfusion injury in ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calibration methods and facilities have been employed to directly obtain sensitivities of an underwater acoustic vector receiver using two methods based on laser Doppler vibrometry. The vector receiver was first calibrated in a standing wave tube over the frequency range 20 Hz to 2 kHz, where the oscillatory velocity of the water-air interface was measured to determine the sound particle velocity at the position of vector receiver based on waveguide theory. In the frequency range 2.5–10 kHz, the vector receiver was calibrated in an anechoic vessel with dimensions of 1.2 m diameter × 1.8 m length using wideband signals, with a laser Doppler vibrometer used to detect the oscillatory motion of a plastic pellicle, which was sufficiently thin to follow the acoustic particle motion. The uncertainties of the calibration using the optical method were estimated to be 0.7–0.8 dB at 95% confidence interval. The calibration results were compared with those obtained using a reciprocity method in a 50 m × 15 m × 10 m water tank and using a comparison method in a standing wave tube, and the largest deviation did not exceed 1.0 dB over the frequency range 20 Hz to 10 kHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Rice sheath blight (RSB) is an economically significant disease affecting rice yield worldwide. Genetic resistance to RSB is associated with multiple minor genes, with each providing a minor phenotypic effect, but the underlying dominant resistance genes remain unknown. A genome‐wide association study (GWAS) of 259 diverse rice varieties, with genotypes based on a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and haplotype, was conducted to assess their sheath blight reactions at three developmental stages (seedlings, tillering and booting). A total of 653 genes were correlated with sheath blight resistance, of which the disease resistance protein RPM1 (OsRSR1) and protein kinase domain‐containing protein (OsRLCK5) were validated by overexpression and knockdown assays. We further found that the coiled‐coil (CC) domain of OsRSR1 (OsRSR1‐CC) and full‐length OsRLCK5 interacted with serine hydroxymethyltransferase 1 (OsSHM1) and glutaredoxin (OsGRX20), respectively. It was found that OsSHM1, which has a role in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst, and OsGRX20 enhanced the antioxidation ability of plants. A regulation model of the new RSB resistance though the glutathione (GSH)‐ascorbic acid (AsA) antioxidant system was therefore revealed. These results enhance our understanding of RSB resistance mechanisms and provide better gene resources for the breeding of disease resistance in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel and simple scheme for the realization of the terahertz (THz) fundamental-mode composite right/left-handed leaky-wave antennas (CRLH LWAs) is proposed. The CRLH LWAs are reconstructed by graphene-based coplanar waveguide transmission line (CPW TL) unit cells. Their signal lines are grounded by narrow graphene strips to achieve the shunt inductances, and parallel-plates are periodically added along the signal line to obtain the series capacitances. The propagation properties of the LWAs are detailed. The LWAs have both left-handed (LH) and right-handed (RH) regions by varying frequency. By numerical simulations, the LWAs are verified. Their backfire-to-endfire beam-steering capabilities through frequency scanning are confirmed. Compared with the CRLH LWAs at THz proposed in previous literature, the graphene-based CRLH LWAs operate in the Quasi-TEM mode. They possess low fabrication, excitation, and impedance matching difficulty. They also show the possibility of integration with other micro-devices. With the application of graphene, the LWAs exhibit strong tunable characteristics that conventional CRLH LWAs are absent. Therefore, the proposed CRLH LWAs have great potential applications for the development of beam-steering antennas at THz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a great health threat and diagnostic challenge, especially those cases without positive autopsy findings. Molecular biomarkers have been urgently needed for the diagnosis of SCD displaying negative autopsy results. Due to their nature of stability, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising diagnostic biomarkers for cardiovascular diseases. Methods: This study investigated whether specific cardio-miRNAs (miR-3113-5p, miR-223-3p, miR-499a-5p, and miR-133a-3p) could serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of SCD. Thirty-four SCD cases were selected, 18 categorized as SCD with negative autopsy (SCD-negative autopsy) findings and 16 as SCD with positive autopsy (SCD-positive autopsy) findings such as coronary atherosclerosis and gross myocardial scar. Carbon monoxide (CO) intoxication (n = 14) and fatal injury death (n = 14) that displayed no pathological changes of myocardium were selected as control group, respectively. Histological analyses were performed to reveal the pathological changes and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to determine the expression of those miRNAs. Results: It showed that heart samples from the SCD-negative autopsy group displayed no remarkable difference with regard to the expression of cleaved-caspase3, CD31, and CD68 and the extent of fibrotic tissue accumulation when compared with control samples. The four cardio-miRNAs were significantly up-regulated in the SCD samples as compared with control. When discriminating SCD from controls, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that the areas under the curve (AUC) of these 4 miRNAs were from 0.7839 to 0.9043 with sensitivity of 64.71–97.06% and specificity of 70–100%. Moreover, when discriminating the specific causes of SCD, the four miRNA expressions increased in the heart from the SCD-negative autopsy group as relative to that from the SCD-positive autopsy group, and a combination of two miRNAs presented higher diagnostic value (AUC = 0.7407–0.8667). Conclusion: miR-3113-5p, miR-223-3p, miR-499a-5p, and miR-133a-3p may serve as independent diagnostic biomarkers for SCD, and a combination of two of these miRNAs could further discriminate detailed causes of SCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A peptide for two strokes: Ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke require different therapies. Unfortunately, the time required to identify the stroke subtype reduces the effectiveness of subsequent therapies. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling has been implicated in the pathophysiology of both types of stroke. Here, Fang et al. developed a peptide called Tat-CIRP able to inhibit TLR4 signaling by interfering with its accessory protein myeloid differentiation 2 (MD2). Tat-CIRP exerted neuroprotective effects in models of hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke in mice and reduced infarct volume in nonhuman primates without signs of toxicity. The results suggest that Tat-CIRP could be effective for treating both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke subtypes. Studies have failed to translate more than 1000 experimental treatments from bench to bedside, leaving stroke as the second leading cause of death in the world. Thrombolysis within 4.5 hours is the recommended therapy for stroke and cannot be performed until neuroimaging is used to distinguish ischemic stroke from hemorrhagic stroke. Therefore, finding a common and critical therapeutic target for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke is appealing. Here, we report that the expression of myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD2), which is traditionally regarded to be expressed only in microglia in the normal brain, was markedly increased in cortical neurons after stroke. We synthesized a small peptide, Trans-trans-activating (Tat)–cold-inducible RNA binding protein (Tat-CIRP), which perturbed the function of MD2 and strongly protected neurons against excitotoxic injury in vitro. In addition, systemic administration of Tat-CIRP or genetic deletion of MD2 induced robust neuroprotection against ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in mice. Tat-CIRP reduced the brain infarct volume and preserved neurological function in rhesus monkeys 30 days after ischemic stroke. Tat-CIRP efficiently crossed the blood-brain barrier and showed a wide therapeutic index for stroke because no toxicity was detected when high doses were administered to the mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MD2 elicited neuronal apoptosis and necroptosis via a TLR4-independent, Sam68-related cascade. In summary, Tat-CIRP provides robust neuroprotection against stroke in rodents and gyrencephalic nonhuman primates. Further efforts should be made to translate these findings to treat both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rice (Oryza sativa) bacterial leaf blight (BLB), caused by the hemibiotrophic Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is one of the most devastating diseases affecting the production of rice worldwide. The development and use of resistant rice varieties or genes is currently the most effective strategy to control BLB. Results: Here, we used 259 rice accessions, which are genotyped with 2 888 332 high-confidence single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Combining resistance variation data of 259 rice lines for two Xoo races observed in 2 years, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) conferring plant resistance against BLB. The expression levels of genes, which contains in GWAS results were also identified between the resistant and susceptible rice lines by transcriptome analysis at four time points after pathogen inoculation. From that 109 candidate resistance genes showing significant differential expression between resistant and susceptible rice lines were uncovered. Furthermore, the haplotype block structure analysis predicted 58 candidate genes for BLB resistance based on Chr. 7_707158 with a minimum P-value (–log 10 P = 9.72). Among them, two NLR protein-encoding genes, LOC_Os07g02560 and LOC_Os07g02570, exhibited significantly high expression in the resistant line, but had low expression in the susceptible line of rice. Conclusions: Together, our results reveal novel BLB resistance gene resources, and provide important genetic basis for BLB resistance breeding of rice crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal energy has many advantages, such as being renewable, clean, widely distributed, and without time and weather limitations. Hydraulic fracturing is usually needed for the exploitation of HDR geothermal energy. It has many hidden faults in the reservoir/caprock sequences. Injecting fluid into underground formations during hydraulic fracturing often induces fault slip and leads to earthquakes. Therefore, to well understand the induced fault slip and earthquakes is important for the applications and development of HDR geothermal exploitation. In this study, we investigated the hazardous injection area of the induced earthquakes during hydraulic fracturing. The study was based on a hydraulic fracturing test in Qiabuqia geothermal field in China. According to the field, a fault-surrounding rock-fracturing region system was developed to study the influences of fluid injection on the stability of the specific fault. A total of 60 hydraulic fracturing regions and 180 numerical experiments were designed. The results revealed that the hazardous injection regions that threaten the fault's stability were near to the fault and concentrated on the following four areas: (a) above the top of the fault in underlying strata; (b) above the top of the hanging wall of the fault in underlying strata; (c) near to the fault planes in both footwall and hanging wall; (d) at the bottom of the footwall of the fault in underlying strata. The hazardous injection area can be controlled effectively by adjusting the injection pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new printed triple-band planar antenna combing two different modified monopoles and an arc-shaped defected ground plane is proposed and studied. The used two simple monopoles consist of a rectangular ring and a rectangular patch attached a straight metal strip. And a compact arc-shaped defected ground structure is proposed and used to excite higher resonance frequency and improve the impedance matching of the antenna at lower and middle resonance frequencies. The main radiation element of the proposed antenna composed of only two simple monopoles can support three omnidirectional radiation modes at three desired bands. To indicate the working mechanism of the antenna, the design process is illustrated and the parametric studies are carried out. The experimental results of the fabricated prototype confirm that the triple-band antenna has better radiation efficiencies, appropriate gains, and stable omnidirectional radiation patterns. And the tested results also show that the antenna can provide enough bandwidths of 2.35–2.52, 3.2–4.16, and 5.13–5.87 GHz to cover all the desired 2.4/5.2/5.8 GHz WLAN and 3.5/5.5 GHz WiMAX operations. Moreover, the presented antenna has a very simple structure. Thus, the designed antenna has high practicality and broad prospects for WLAN and WiMAX applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]