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Handelin is a bioactive compound from Chrysanthemum indicumL. that improves motor function and muscle integrity during aging in Caenorhabditis elegans. This study aimed to further evaluate the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of handelin in a mouse muscle atrophy model induced by cachexia and aging. A tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α‐induced atrophy model was used to examine handelin activity in cultured C2C12 myotubes in vitro. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated 8‐week‐old model mice and 23‐month‐old (aged) mice were used to examine the therapeutic effects of handelin on cachexia‐ and aging‐induced muscle atrophy, respectively, in vivo. Protein and mRNA expressions were analysed by Western blotting, ELISA and quantitative PCR, respectively. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by histological analysis. Handelin treatment resulted in an upregulation of protein levels of early (MyoD and myogenin) and late (myosin heavy chain, MyHC) differentiation markers in C2C12 myotubes (P< 0.05), and enhanced mitochondrial respiratory (P< 0.05). In TNF‐α‐induced myotube atrophy model, handelin maintained MyHC protein levels, increased insulin‐like growth factor (Igf1) mRNA expression and phosphorylated protein kinase B protein levels (P< 0.05). Handelin also reduced atrogin‐1 expression, inhibited nuclear factor‐κB activation and reduced mRNA levels of interleukin (Il)6, Il1band chemokine ligand 1 (Cxcl1) (P< 0.05). In LPS‐treated mice, handelin increased body weight (P< 0.05), the weight (P< 0.01) and cross‐sectional area (CSA) of the soleus muscle (P< 0.0001) and improved motor function (P< 0.05). In aged mice, handelin slightly increased the weight of the tibialis anterior muscle (P= 0.06) and CSA of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles (P< 0.0001). In the tibialis anterior muscle of aged mice, handelin upregulated mRNA levels of Igf1(P< 0.01), anti‐inflammatory cytokine Il10(P< 0.01), mitochondrial biogenesis genes (P< 0.05) and antioxidant‐related enzymes (P< 0.05) and strengthened Sod and Cat enzyme activity (P< 0.05). Handelin also reduced lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation, downregulated mRNA levels of Fbxo32, Mstn, Cxcl1, Il1band Tnf(P< 0.05), and decreased IL‐1β levels in serum (P< 0.05). Knockdown of Hsp70 or using an Hsp70 inhibitor abolished the ameliorating effects of handelin on myotube atrophy. Handelin ameliorated cachexia‐ and aging‐induced skeletal muscle atrophy in vitroand in vivo, by maintaining homeostasis of protein synthesis and degradation, possibly by inhibiting inflammation. Handelin is a potentially promising drug candidate for the treatment of muscle wasting.

Increasing evidence indicates that Calumenin (CALU), which is localized in the endoplasmic reticulum, is significantly associated with tumor progression. However, the effect of CALU on patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is unknown. By integrating multi-omics data and molecular biology experiments, we found that CALU expression was significantly increased in tumors compared with normal tissues, and the pathological grade and prognosis of patients were correlated with CALU expression. Next, knockdown or ectopic expression of CALU could affect the proliferative and invasive abilities of ccRCC cells. Moreover, immune landscape characterization revealed that CALU expression was positively associated with neutrophils and macrophages, whereas it was negatively associated with natural killer T cells and CD8+T cells. Single-cell sequencing showed that the localization and binding targets of CALU mainly involved monocytes/macrophages and CD4+and CD8+T-cells. Sensitivity analysis of common chemotherapeutic drugs showed that high expression of CALU could sensitize chemotherapeutic drugs such as 5Z-7-Oxozeaenol, AMG-706 and Cytarabine, but could lead to drug resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs such as Embelin, Salubrinal and Tipifarnib. We demonstrated a significant correlation between high CALU expression and poor patient survival. Further, we demonstrated a correlation between CALU expression, tumor microenvironment, and the sensitivity of patients to common chemo- and immuno-therapy drugs. Thus, our results indicate that CALU could be a biomarker and designing personalized treatment approaches for ccRCC patients.

International interference in cross-Taiwan Strait relations has accelerated in recent years. This article examines the intensifying, high-level, official interactions in which the US and some of its allies have worked with the Taiwan authorities to hollow out the one-China principle. This article also explores the escalating US–Taiwan military cooperation and the expanding security involvement of some states, which have disregarded Beijing’s heavy opposition and repeated warnings. Finally, this article explains the driving forces behind the internationalization trajectory involving the Taiwan issue and argues that the ever-increasing foreign intervention and involvement, combined with Taipei’s consistent endeavor to “pursue independence by reliance on foreign interference,” has put China on full alert. The internationalization momentum concerning the Taiwan issue has thus resulted in China redoubling the anti-interference focus of its Taiwan policy.

ABSTRACTTribbles homolog 3 (TRIB3), a pseudokinase that regulates multiple intracellular signaling pathways, has been reported to promote the growth of multiple tumors. However, its role in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains unelucidated. We evaluated the role of TRIB3 in ccRCC using publicly available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and analyzed its relationship with the tumor microenvironment; moreover, we used gene knockout and overexpression techniques to detect the effects of TRIB3 on the biological behavior of ccRCC cells. RT-qPCR and western blotting were used to detect transfection efficiency, and the invasiveness of ccRCC cells was determined by Transwell migration assays. We found that TRIB3 overexpression was significantly associated with increased grade, stage, and distant metastasis, positively correlated with ccRCC invasiveness, and also an independent risk factor for overall survival (OS). In addition, 361 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to TRIB3 were identified. Functional enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in humoral immune responses, collagen-containing extracellular matrix, and serine hydrolase activity. Immune landscape characterization revealed that TRIB3 expression was significantly and negatively associated with CD8+T and hematopoietic stem cells, whereas it was positively associated with NK T and macrophage M1 cells. Single-cell sequencing showed that localization and binding targets of TRIB3 mainly involved monocytes/macrophages and CD4+and CD8+T cells. Overall, our study revealed that elevated TRIB3 expression represents a promising prognostic marker for ccRCC patients and may play a key role in tumor microenvironment modulation.

The structures and the mechanical properties of industrially electromagnetic centrifugal cast HK40 reforming tubes were investigated and compared with the traditional commercial HK40 tubes. It is found that the structure changes caused by the electromagnetic field primarily consist of grain refining and increase of the eutectic carbides. Both the tensile properties at room temperature and the stress rupture strength at elevated temperature are noticeably improved by the introduction of the electromagnetic field. A further increase of the exciting current has no evident influence on the tensile properties, but markedly improves the stress rupture strength of the cast tubes. The relationships between the mechanical properties and the structure changes of the cast tubes induced by the electromagnetic field are discussed in detail.

Perovskite–perovskite tandem solar cells have bright prospects to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE) beyond the Shockley–Queisser (SQ) limit of single-junction solar cells. The star lead-based halide perovskites are well-recognized as suitable candidates for the front cell, thanks to their suitable band gap (∼1.8 eV), strong optical absorption, and high certified PCE. However, the toxicity of lead for the front cell and the lack of a narrow band gap (∼1.1 eV) for the rear cell seriously restrict the development of the two-junction tandem cell. To break through this bottleneck, a novel Dion–Jacobson (DJ)-type (n= 2) chalcogenide perovskite CsLaM2X7(M = Ta, Nb; X = S, Se) has been found based on the powerful first-principles and advanced many-body perturbation GW calculations. Their excellent electronic, transport, and optical properties can be summarized as follows. (1) They are stable and environmentally friendly lead-free materials. (2) The direct band gap of CsLaTa2Se7(0.96−1.10 eV) is much smaller than those of lead-based halide perovskites and very suitable for the rear cell in the two-junction tandem cell. (3) The carrier mobility in CsLaTa2Se7reaches 1.6 × 103cm2V–1s–1at room temperature. (4) The absorption coefficients (3–5 × 105cm–1) are 1 order higher than that of Si (104cm–1). (5) The estimated PCEs of the Cs2Sb2Br8-CsLaTa2Se7tandem cell (33.3%) and the concentrator solar cell (35.8% in 100 suns) are higher than those of the best recorded GaAs-Si tandem cell (32.8%) and the perovskite–perovskite tandem solar cell (24.8%). These energetic results strongly demonstrate that the novel lead-free chalcogenide perovskites CsLaM2X7are good candidates for the rear cell of tandem cells.

In order to study the performance of DCLR (direct coal liquefaction residue) modified asphalt mortar, different DCLR modified asphalt mortar with different DCLR contents and filler-asphalt ratios (FA) was prepared. The high-and-low temperature and fatigue performance of asphalt mortar was analyzed by a dynamic shear rheometer and a bending beam rheometer. Using the variance analysis method the influence of the single factor (temperature, DCLR content, FA) and the coupling between these factors on the performance of asphalt mortar was investigated. The results show that the addition of DCLR and filler can significantly improve the high-temperature performance of asphalt mortar, but damage the low-temperature performance and the fatigue performance of asphalt mortar. To comprehensively balance the effects of DCLR content and FA on the performance of the mortar, the DCLR content of 10% and the FA of 1.0 are recommended. Besides, the single factor (temperature, DCLR content, FA) and the coupling between these factors have significant effects on the performance of asphalt mortar, but the effect of the coupling is smaller than that of the single factor.

To investigate the community structure and diversity of endophytic fungi in the leaves of Artemisia argyi, leaf samples were collected from five A. argyivarieties grown in different cultivation areas in China, namely, Tangyin Beiai in Henan (BA), Qichun Qiai in Hubei (QA), Wanai in Nanyang in Henan (WA), Haiai in Ningbo in Zhejiang (HA), and Anguo Qiai in Anguo in Hebei (AQA), and analyzed using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology. A total of 365,919 pairs of reads were obtained, and the number of operational taxonomic units for each sample was between 165 and 285. The alpha diversity of the QA and BA samples was higher, and a total of two phyla, eight classes, 12 orders, 15 families, and 16 genera were detected. At the genus level, significant differences were noted in the dominant genera among the samples, with three genera being shared in all the samples. The dominant genus in QA was Erythrobasidium, while that in AQA, HA, and BA was Sporobolomyces, and that in WA was Alternaria, reaching a proportion of 16.50%. These results showed that the fungal community structure and diversity in QA and BA were high. The endophytes are of great importance to the plants, especially for protection, phytohormone and other phytochemical production, and nutrition. Therefore, this study may be significant with the industrial perspective of Artemisiaspecies.

Allergic reactions have been observed following both direct centipede bites and the clinical use of centipede-containing medicines, such as traditional Chinese medicines utilizing Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans; however, no natural centipede allergen has yet been characterized.

Amino acids are very important for oolong tea brisk-smooth mouthfeel which is mainly associated with bruising and withering treatment (BWT). In this study, metabolome and transcriptome analyses were performed to comprehensively investigate the changes in abundance of amino acids and the expression pattern of relevant genes during BWT of oolong tea manufacturing. Levels of most amino acids increased during BWT in the leaves harvested from 4 cultivars, while expression of the relevant function genes responsible for synthesis and transformation of amino acids up-regulated accordingly. Upstream hub genes including receptor-like protein kinase IKU2, serine/threonine-protein kinase PBL11, MYB transcription factor MYB2, ethylene-responsive transcription factor ERF114, WRKY transcription factor WRKY71, aspartate aminotransferase AATC, UDP-glycosyltransferase U91D1, and 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxoglutarate aldolase 2 RRAA2, were predicted to be involved in regulation of the function genes expression and the amino acids metabolism through weighted gene coexpression network analysis. A modulation mechanism for accumulation of amino acids during BWT was also proposed. These findings give a deep insight into the metabolic reprogramming mechanism of amino acids during BWT of oolong tea.

DNA methylation is one of the most important events in epigenetics and significantly influences plant growth and development. In the present study, we established and optimized a high-performance liquid chromatography method for detecting the base composition in DNA in tea plant (Camellia sinensisL.) tissues by using saline buffers-free mobile phases. The DNA methylation level varied with tea plant tissue, cultivar, and growth stage. A relatively higher DNA methylation level was observed in tender leaf (38.34%) and pistil (38.19%) tissues, while a relatively low level was detected in capillary root (19.45%), stamen (19.61%), and old leaf (20.70%) tissues. The pattern of the methylation level formed a saddle curve during the growth of dormant buds in spring; the lowest point appeared at the stage of one leaf and a bud. The methylation level in the adventitious buds regenerated from the branch after pruning seemed to decrease with an increase in the degree of pruning. These DNA methylation levels might be associated with the development of tea plant.

The present research examined cultural differences in interpersonal memories and forecasts, situated in a currently salient positive or negative interpersonal context. We found that a negative focal event, compared to a positive one, led to more negative memories and forecasts of interpersonal encounters. The effect was stronger among Euro-Canadians than among Chinese. This was true regardless of whether the salient focal event was imagined or a real-life experience. Furthermore, focal thinking—the extent to which individuals think about the salient focal event—mediated cultural differences in interpersonal memories and forecasts as moderated by the focal event valence. Relational memories and forecasts positively predicted perceived relationship quality, willingness to help, and forgiveness. The findings highlight both cultural similarities and differences in interpersonal memories and forecasts, which contribute significantly to the literature on culture and relationships.

Flavonoids are important compounds in tea leaves imparting bitter and astringent taste, which also play key roles in tea plants responding to environmental stress. Our previous study showed that the expression level of CsMYB67was positively correlated with the accumulation of flavonoids in tea leaves as exposed to sunlight. Here, we newly reported the function of CsMYB67 in regulating flavonoid biosynthesis in tea leaves. CsMYB67 was localized in the nucleus and responded to temperature. The results of transient expression assays showed the co-transformation of CsMYB67and CsTTG1promoted the transcription of CsANSpromoter in the tobacco system. CsTTG1 was bound to the promoter of CsANSbased on the results of yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) and transient expression assays, while CsMYB67 enhanced the transcription of CsANSthrough protein interaction with CsTTG1 according to the results of yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC). Thus, CsMYB67-CsTTG1 module enhanced the anthocyanin biosynthesis through up-regulating the transcription of CsANS. Besides, CsMYB67 also enhanced the transcription of CsFLSand CsUFGTthrough forming transcription factor complexes. The function of CsMYB67on flavonoid biosynthesis in tea leaves was validated by gene suppression assay. As CsMYB67was suppressed, the transcriptional level of CsFLSwas greatly reduced, leading to a significant increase in the contents of total catechins and total anthocyanidins. Hence, CsMYB67 plays an important role in regulating the downstream pathway of flavonoid biosynthesis in summer tea leaves.

This study identified the effect of salicylic acid on degradation of isoproturon in Arabidopsis. Three T-DNA insertion mutant lines pal1-1, pal1-2, and eps1-1defective in salicylic acid synthesis were tested, which showed higher isoproturon accumulation and a toxic symptom in the mutants. When treated with 5 mg/L salicylic acid, these lines displayed a lower level of isoproturon and showed an attenuated toxic symptom. An RNA-sequencing study identified 2651 (1421 up and 1230 down) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in eps1-1and 2211 (1556 up and 655 down) in pal1-2mutant plants (>2.0 fold change, p< 0.05). Some of the DEGs covered Phase I–III reaction components, like glycosyltransferases (GTs) and ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABCs). Using ultra performance liquid chromatography–time-of-flight–tandem-mass spectrometer/mass spectrometer (UPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS), 13 Phase I and four Phase II metabolites were characterized. Of these, two metabolites 1-OH-isopropyl-benzene-O-glucoside and 4-isopropylphenol-S-2-methylbutanoyl-serine, have been identified and reported for the first time.

Jasmonic acid (JA) [or methyl-jasmonic acid (MeJA)] is one of the important regulators of plant growth, development, and defense with respect to environmental stresses, but how JA is involved in mediation of pesticide accumulation and degradation in plants is largely unknown. This study investigated the contribution of MeJA to detoxification and degradation of isoproturon (IPU) residues in wheat (Triticum aestivum). Wheat plants were exposed to 4 mg of isoproturon kg–1(environmentally realistic concentration). The level of growth and chlorophyll concentration were reduced, while the electrolyte permeability in plants was enhanced. When plants were sprayed with 0.1 μM MeJA, the phytotoxicity induced by isoproturon was significantly assuaged, which was manifested by an increased chlorophyll concentration and a reduced level of cellular damage in wheat. Activities of several stress marker enzymes with isoproturon were repressed in the presence of MeJA. We measured accumulation of isoproturon in wheat and its residues in soil by high-performance liquid chromatography. The concentration of isoproturon in wheat and soils with MeJA was drastically reduced. Using ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry, 12 isoproturon derivatives (eight metabolites and four conjugates) in wheat were characterized. We further provided evidence that the concentration of endogenous MeJA was significantly increased in IPU-exposed plants. These results suggest that MeJA was able to detoxify or degrade isoproturon in wheat when grown in a realistic environmental isoproturon-polluted soil.

Aiming at the problem of the complicated process, the low precision and efficiency of crack detection and key geometric feature of the circular saw blade, the quality detection system of the circular saw blade based on the nondestructive testing and laser measurement technology is studied. By using the laser measurement technology and optimizing the data processing method, the face runout, the thickness of the circular saw blade are measured. The crack defects in the tooth root region of the circular saw blade are detected by eddy current nondestructive testing technology. The system achieves the radial detection of 1mm radial sawing, the detection accuracy of the round beating is> 0.03mm, and the thickness measurement accuracy is> 0.005mm.

Fe62 alloy coating was fabricated on the surface of #45 steel cutting edges with 2kW all-solid-state laser and powder feeding device. The substrate and forming layer are characterized by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope for microstructure, and tested by micro-hardness tester for micro-hardness. The results show that the forming layer combined with the substrate metallurgically. The microstructure of substrate is eutectoid ferrite and pearlite. The microstructure of layer is uniform and compact, with hard precipitation. The content of Cr, the hard phase generated element, at the grain boundary, is higher than that of grain inside and many hard phases were generated at the grain boundary. Compared with the substrate, the micro-hardness of forming layer increases by about 2 times. All these results show that application of laser additive enhancing technology in the field of cutting tools has larger potential.

Rising oil price has brought huge cost pressure for low grade highway construction, and it is urgent to find alternative resources. At the same time, there are nearly 50000–60000 tons of low temperature coal output in inner Mongolia region, China, which has high toxicity and high polluting. To make the low temperature coal be applicable for road constructions, the formaldehyde is used as cross linking agent, the concentrated sulfuric acid is used as catalyst, and the chemical modification of low temperature coal tar pitch in Inner Mongolia region is investigated. The road performance (softening point, penetration and ductility) of modified low temperature coal are tested. Results shown that the road performance of modified low temperature coal is increased significantly. Modification mechanism of low temperature coal is studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy and other analytical tools. Results show that, in the modified low temperature coal, resin content increases and the resin fiber diameter becomes larger with the increasing of formaldehyde content.

The skid resistance of asphalt pavement is affected by the surface macrotexture depth, especially when there is water on the pavement. Pavements with appropriate macrotexture can effectively ensure the traffic safety. However, previous research on characterisation methods still cannot properly reflect the three-dimensional (3D) information of pavement macrotexture, such as 3D features or distribution density of texture. In this study, a 3D laser scanner is used to collect the data of asphalt pavement texture, which will be used to reconstruct the 3D pavement model in the next step. Thereafter, the model is evenly meshed by a large number of micro elements. Based on the volume of elements, a method is proposed to characterise the 3D features of pavement macrotexture; the 3D characteristics of macrotexture can also be analysed quantitatively. Compared with four types of gradation of asphalt pavement, the results show that the proposed method can accurately represent the 3D macrostructure of asphalt pavement surface.

Recently, BaBar, Belle and LHCb have found hints of lepton flavour universality violation in B→D(⁎)τν‾τdecays, i.e., the measured ratios R(D(⁎))=B(B→D(⁎)τν‾τ)/B(B→D(⁎)ℓν‾ℓ)(ℓ=e/μ)show a combined 3.8 σdeviation from the SM predictions. In this talk, we will discuss two possible solutions to the observed R(D) and R(D*) anomalies: one with an EW-scale charged scalar and the other with a TeV-scale scalar leptoquark transforming as (3, 1, −13) under the SM gauge group. Their phenomenological implications for the other decays are also briefly discussed.

We study the rare leptonic decays Bs,d0→ℓ+ℓ−within the general framework of the aligned two-Higgs doublet model [1]. A complete one-loop calculation of the relevant short-distance Wilson coefficients is presented, with a detailed technical summary of the results. The phenomenological constraints imposed by present data on the model parameters are also investigated.

Silicon carbide (SiC) is widely used in terrestrial and space applications because of its good mechanical, thermal and optical properties. Nevertheless, traditional grinding and polishing technologies cannot meet the machining requirements due to the high hardness and brittleness. In this paper, Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) is utilized to process the SiC optics. The effects of different processing recipes on the removal rate and temperature are investigated. The results show that the removal rate almost keeps stable with processing time and changes with the flow rate of plasma gas, reaction gas, the ratio of CF4/O2 and the power. The input power and processing time are the two main influence factors on the processing temperature.

Because of the incompleteness and uncertainty in the information on overseas oil–gas projects, project evaluation needs models able to deal with such problems. A new model is, therefore, presented in this paper based on interval multi-attribute decision-making theory. Analysis was made on the important attributes (index) and the relationships affecting the basic factors to the project economic results were described. The interval numbers are used to describe the information on overseas oil and gas projects. On these bases, an improved TOPSIS model is introduced for the evaluation and ranking of overseas oil and gas projects. The practical application of the new model was carried out for an oil company in selecting some promising blocks from 13 oil and gas blocks in eight different countries in the Middle East. Based on these innovative studies, some conclusions are given from theoretical and application aspects. The practical application shows that the introduction of interval numbers into the evaluation and ranking of the overseas oil and gas projects can lead to more reasonable decisions. The users can do the project evaluation based on the comprehensive values as well as based on some preferred index in the project evaluation and ranking.

Soil phosphomonoesterase plays a critical role in controlling phosphorus (P) cycling for crop nutrition, especially in P-deficient soils. A 6-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate soil phosphomonoesterase activities, kinetics and thermodynamics during rice growth stages after consistent swine manure application, to understand the impacts of swine manure amendment rates on soil chemical and enzymatic properties, and to investigate the correlations between soil enzymatic and chemical variables. The experiment was set out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates and five treatments including three swine manure rates (26, 39, and 52 kg P ha−1, representing low, middle, and high application rates, respectively) and two controls (no-fertilizer and superphosphate at 26 kg P ha−1). The results indicated that the grain yield and soil chemical properties were significantly improved with the application of P-based swine manure from 0 to 39 kg P ha−1; however, the differences between the 39 (M39) and 52 kg P ha−1treatments (M52) were not significant. The enzymatic property analysis indicated that acid phosphomonoesterase was the predominant phosphomonoesterase in the tested soil. The M39and M52treatments had relatively high initial velocity (V0), maximal velocity (Vmax), and activation grade (lgNa) but low Michaelis constant (Km), temperature coefficient (Q10), activation energy (Ea), and activation enthalpy (ΔH), implying that the M39and M52treatments could stimulate the enzyme-catalyzed reactions more easily than all other treatments. The correlation analysis showed that the distribution of soil phosphomonoesterase activities mainly followed the distributions of total C and total N. Based on these results, 39 kg P ha−1could be recommended as the most appropriate rate of swine manure amendment.