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In this paper, the reentry phase of the Aerospaceplane is taken as the research object, and the performance parameters of the reusable rocket of a private company are analyzed. Aiming at the guidance and control scheme of the spacecraft returning to the reentry trajectory in the real environment, the original natural algorithm is optimized by considering various reentry flight constraints, and the improved original natural algorithm is used to optimize the reentry trajectory of the Aerospaceplane. We obtained two types of reentry trajectories in the presence of large flight-restricted areas, the "S-type" trajectory and the "spiral-type" trajectory, and obtained data on various influencing factors. The results showed that the basic state parameters of the spiral trajectory optimized using the improved original natural algorithm after adding constraints met the constraint conditions. The aerodynamic heating rate and overload of the spiral reentry trajectory were to some extent greater than those of the S-type trajectory. Under the increasingly stringent requirements of the aerospace environment, new requirements were put forward for the thermal protection system to meet the wider environmental situation. This paper uses the improved original natural algorithm for the first time and applies it to the field of aerospace reentry and entry and adds more constraints to this algorithm for computation. Besides, for the first time, the macroscopic nature of trajectory types is used as a comparative element for parameter comparison, providing a reference basis for selecting trajectory optimization directions from the macroscopic perspective of trajectory types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical data mining of predictive models offers significant advantages for re-evaluating and leveraging large amounts of complex clinical real-world data and experimental comparison data for tasks such as risk stratification, diagnosis, classification, and survival prediction. However, its translational application is still limited. One challenge is that the proposed clinical requirements and data mining are not synchronized. Additionally, the exotic predictions of data mining are difficult to apply directly in local medical institutions. Hence, it is necessary to incisively review the translational application of clinical data mining, providing an analytical workflow for developing and validating prediction models to ensure the scientific validity of analytic workflows in response to clinical questions. This review systematically revisits the purpose, process, and principles of clinical data mining and discusses the key causes contributing to the detachment from practice and the misuse of model verification in developing predictive models for research. Based on this, we propose a niche-targeting framework of four principles: Clinical Contextual, Subgroup-Oriented, Confounder- and False Positive-Controlled (CSCF), to provide guidance for clinical data mining prior to the model's development in clinical settings. Eventually, it is hoped that this review can help guide future research and develop personalized predictive models to achieve the goal of discovering subgroups with varied remedial benefits or risks and ensuring that precision medicine can deliver its full potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive application of multilayer ceramic capacitors provides an attractive development for terminal electrode pastes. However, the growing requirement for advanced glass materials used in terminal electrode pastes is substantiated. Therefore, to advance the development of electrode pastes, better development and deeper exploration of glass powder are required. Here, a series of BaO–ZnO–B2O3–SiO2 (BZBS) glasses were prepared by melt‐quenching technique, which are used to investigate the effect of the introduction of BaO on structure and properties of the ZnO–B2O3–SiO2 (ZBS) glass. With the introduction of BaO, the relative amount of [BO4] was much less, which made the glass network structure loosen, decreased the glass transition temperature (Tg) and increased the coefficient of thermal expansion of the glass. The decreasing contact angle was observed on the surface of a barium titanate (BaTiO3) substrate. When the BaO content was around 3–7 mol%, the stability of ZBS glass frit could be strengthened by inhibiting the precipitation of Zn2SiO4 crystal. In addition, to further characterize the effect of glass on terminal electrode paste, BZBS glass powder was adopted to prepare copper electrode paste, which was printed on the BaTiO3 substrate and subsequently fired at 800°C for 10 min. With the related copper paste containing ZBS glass doped with 7 mol% BaO, the optimum value of acid resistance and sheet resistance (1.99 mΩ) were exhibited, at which the coated copper paste formed a dense conducting layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain production agglomeration (GPA) is the development trend of grain production all over the world, and it is also an important way to promote grain growth and low-carbon development of agriculture. However, in-depth research on whether the GPA can increase the agricultural environmental efficiency and the influencing mechanisms is still lacking. Based on China's provincial data from 1990 to 2019 and the superefficiency DEA model, this study measures the level of GPA and the environmental efficiency of grain production (EEGP) in different grain production functional areas of China. An econometric methods are also used to empirically analyse the impact GPA on the EEGP. The results shows that the level of GPA in China is steadily increasing, and the impact of GPA on EEGP follows a U-shaped trend of initially declining and then rising. China's GPA has exceeded the minimum value of the U-shaped curve and is currently in the stage of promoting the EEGP. Specifically, the level of GPA in China's main grain-producing areas is higher than that in main grain-marketing areas and grain production-marketing balanced areas, and the GPA in main grain-marketing areas and grain production-marketing balanced areas have not yet crossed minimum value of the U-shaped curve. The GPA affects EEGP through farmland scale management and agricultural technology spillover. This study offers a new perspective to explain the changes in China's EEGP, and also provides reference for the EEGP in different regions of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical dinitrogen reduction represents an attractive approach of converting N 2 and water into ammonia, while the rational design of catalytic active centers remains challenging. Investigating model molecular catalysts with well-tuned catalytic sites should help to develop a clear structure-activity relationship for electrochemical N 2 reduction. Herein, we designed several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules with well-defined positions of boron and nitrogen atoms. Theoretical calculations revealed that the boron atoms possess high local positive charge densities as Lewis acid sites, which are beneficial for N 2 adsorption and activation, thus serving as major catalytic active sites for N 2 electrochemical reduction. Furthermore, the close vicinity of two boron atoms can further enhance the local positive density and subsequent catalytic activity. Using the PAH molecule with two boron atoms separated by two carbon atoms (B-2C-B), a high NH 3 production rate of 34.58 μg·h−1·cm−2 and a corresponding Faradaic efficiency (5.86%) were achieved at −0.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode, substantially exceeding the other PAHs with single boron or nitrogen-containing molecular structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging evidence suggests that the gut microbiome actively regulates cognitive functions and that gut microbiome imbalance is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. However, the changes in gut microbiome composition in AD and their association with disease pathology, especially in the early stages, are unclear. Here, we compared the profiles of gut microbiota between APP/PS1 transgenic mice (an AD mouse model) and their wild-type littermates at different ages by amplicon-based sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA genes. Microbiota composition started diverging between the APP/PS1 and wild-type mice at young ages (i.e., 1–3 months), before obvious amyloid deposition and plaque-localized microglial activation in the cerebral cortex in APP/PS1 mice. At later ages (i.e., 6 and 9 months), there were distinct changes in the abundance of inflammation-related bacterial taxa including Escherichia-Shigella, Desulfovibrio, Akkermansia, and Blautia in APP/PS1 mice. These findings suggest that gut microbiota alterations precede the development of key pathological features of AD, including amyloidosis and plaque-localized neuroinflammation. Thus, the investigation of gut microbiota might provide new avenues for developing diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) is an organophosphorus flame retardant ubiquitously present in the environment and even the human body. TBOEP is toxic in multiple tissues, which forms dealkylated and hydroxylated metabolites under incubation with human hepatic microsomes; however, the impact of TBOEP metabolism on its toxicity, particularly mutagenicity (typically requiring metabolic activation), is left unidentified. In this study, the mutagenicity of TBOEP in human hepatoma cell lines (HepG2 and C3A) and the role of specific CYPs were studied. Through molecular docking, TBOEP bound to human CYP1A1, 1B1, 2B6 and 3A4 with energies and conformations favorable for catalyzing reactions, while the conformations of its binding with human CYP1A2 and 2E1 appeared unfavorable. In C3A cells (endogenous CYPs being substantial), TBOEP exposing for 72 h (2-cell cycle) at low micromolar levels induced micronucleus, which was abolished by 1-aminobenzotriazole (inhibitor of CYPs); in HepG2 cells (CYPs being insufficient) TBOEP did not induce micronucleus, whose effect was however potentiated by pretreating the cells with PCB126 (CYP1A1 inducer) or rifampicin (CYP3A4 inducer). TBOEP induced micronucleus in Chinese hamster V79-derived cell lines genetically engineered for stably expressing human CYP1A1 and 3A4, but not in cells expressing the other CYPs. In C3A cells, TBOEP selectively induced centromere protein B-free micronucleus (visualized by immunofluorescence) and PIG-A gene mutations, and elevated γ-H2AX rather than p-H3 (by Western blot) which indicated specific double-strand DNA breaks. Therefore, this study suggests that TBOEP may induce DNA/chromosome breaks and gene mutations in human cells, which requires metabolic activation by CYPs, primarily CYP1A1 and 3A4. [Display omitted] • Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBOEP) induced DNA breaks and gene mutations. • TBOEP formed micronuclei in human hepatoma C3A cells by a clastogenic mechanism. • Mutagenicity of TBOEP was dependent on metabolic activation by human CYP1A1 and 3A4. • Pretreating HepG2 cells with AhR and PXR activators potentiated the effect of TBOEP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chen, Y., 2020. Application of improved Dijkstra algorithm in coastal tourism route planning. In: Gong, D.; Zhang, M., and Liu, R. (eds.), Advances in Coastal Research: Engineering, Industry, Economy, and Sustainable Development. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 106, pp. 251–254. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. With the development of computer science and geographic information science, there are more and more applications for GIS. Shortest path analysis is a key issue in GIS geographic network analysis. One of the classical algorithms for calculating the shortest path is the Dijkstra algorithm, which is used in many projects to solve the shortest path problem. However, when the traditional Dijkstra algorithm solves the shortest path between nodes, a large number of nodes outside the identified nodes are calculated, which affects the speed of the algorithm. The Dijkstra algorithm is a classical algorithm for solving the shortest path in the embedded GIS system. By analyzing the Dijkstra algorithm, changing the storage structure, and examining graphing methods, the binary ordering tree algorithm based on the rectangular restricted area reduces the memory storage space. Shortening the query time requires optimizing the shortest path calculation process; the actual data test also shows the effectiveness of the algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three functional zones, namely the industrial (IND), the agricultural (AGR), and the grassland (GRA) areas from Inner Mongolia (a remote province in northern China), were selected to evaluate the levels and distributions of PBDEs and the risks posed to local humans. PBDEs concentrations in surface soils and tree bark were detected and the air levels were estimated based on bark measurements. The total concentrations (∑ 8 PBDEs) of BDE-28, -47, −100, −99, −154, −153, −183, and −209 in soils were 1.71–64.9 ng/g dry weight (d.w.), 0.720–4.08 ng/g d.w., and 0.604–3.76 ng/g d.w. in the IND, AGR and GRA areas respectively. The average total concentrations in bark and air were 0.792 ng/g d.w. and 0.125 ng/m³ in the AGR areas respectively, which were lower than those (1.69 ng/g d.w. in the bark and 0.476 ng/m³ in the air) in the IND areas. BDE-209 was the dominant congener, consistent with DeBDE being the dominant commercial products used in China. However, except for BDE-209, BDE-28 and BDE-47 in the AGR and GRA areas averagely contributed about half of the total PBDEs concentrations in soils. BDE-28 concentrations in the bark samples of the AGR areas were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the IND areas, and the average total hazard quotients (∑ 8 PBDEs) were higher for humans in the AGR areas (0.12) than in the IND areas (0.08). Degradation of higher-brominated congeners (e.g., BDE-209) and migration of lower-brominated congeners (mainly BDE-28 and BDE-47) may increase the risks to humans in pristine areas. • PBDEs pollution is widespread in Inner Mongolia. • BDE-28 concentrations in bark of AGR areas were significantly higher than in IND areas. • The exposure risk in pristine areas can be higher than in polluted areas due to LRAT of lower-brominated congeners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exhausted CD8+ T lymphocytes and tumor-associated macrophages play critical roles in determining cancer prognosis and the efficacy of immunotherapy. Our study revealed a negative correlation between exhausted CD8+ T lymphocytes and prognosis in thyroid carcinoma (THCA). Consensus clustering divided patients into two subgroups of exhaustion with different prognoses, as defined by marker genes of exhausted CD8+ T cells. Subsequently, we constructed an eight-gene prognostic signature, and developed a risk score named the exhaustion-related gene score (ERGS) to forecast both prognosis and immunotherapy response in THCA. Bulk RNA sequencing analysis revealed a higher prevalence of M2 macrophages, indicative of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), in the high-ERGS group. Single-cell RNA sequencing showed that SPP1+ macrophages and CD14+ monocytes infiltrations were positively associated with higher ERGS. Functionally, it was determined that SPP1+ macrophages exert an immunosuppressive role, while CD14+ monocytes were implicated in promoting tumor progression and angiogenesis. Analysis of cell–cell interactions between SPP1+ macrophages and T cells highlighted the activation of the SPP1-CD44 and MIF-CD74 axes, both of which could foster an immunosuppressive TME. Therapeutic strategies that target SPP1+ macrophages, CD14+ monocytes, and the SPP1-CD44 and MIF-CD74 axes may potentially improve the prognosis and amplify the immunotherapy response in THCA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene and its derivatives, graphene oxide (GO) and graphene oxide quantum dots (GOQDs), have recently attracted much attention as bioactive factors in differentiating stem cells towards osteoblastic lineage. The stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) possess the properties of self-renewal, extensive proliferation, and multiple differentiation potential, and have gradually become one of the most promising mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in bone tissue engineering. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of GO and GOQDs on the osteogenic differentiation of SHEDs. In this study, GO and GOQDs facilitated SHED proliferation up to 7 days in vitro at the concentration of 1 μg/ml. Because of their excellent fluorescent properties, GOQD uptake by SHEDs was confirmed and distributed in the SHED cytoplasm. Calcium nodules formation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and RNA and protein expression increased significantly in SHEDs treated with osteogenic induction medium containing GOQDs but decreased with osteogenic induction medium containing GO. Interestingly, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway appeared to be involved in osteogenic differentiation of SHEDs induced with GOQDs. In summary, GO and GOQDs at the concentration of 1 μg/ml promoted SHED proliferation. GOQDs induced the osteogenic differentiation of SHEDs, whilst GO slightly inhibited it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We introduce a construct called "humanness sensitivity," which we define as the ability to recognize uniquely human characteristics. To evaluate the construct, we used a "concurrent study design" to conduct an internet-based study with a convenience sample of 42,063 people from 88 countries (52.4% from the U.S. and Canada).We sought to determine to what extent people could identify subtle characteristics of human behavior, thinking, emotions, and social relationships which currently distinguish humans from non-human entities such as bots. Many people were surprisingly poor at this task, even when asked simple questions about human relationships or anatomy. Participants were best at identifying subtle aspects of human cognition and worst at identifying subtle aspects of human communication. Test scores were good predictors of whether someone was employed and modest predictors of other self-reported criterion measures. We also found that people identifying themselves in marginal societal categories (e.g., in the "other" category for gender or sexual orientation) identified themselves as less human and also scored lower on our test. As computers continue to become more human-like, our study suggests that the vast majority of humankind will likely have great difficulty distinguishing them from people. Can methods be devised for improving this ability? Might humanness sensitivity help people to make such distinctions? Will people who excel at differentiating humans and non-human entities—like the "blade runners" in the 1982 and 2017 feature films—someday hold a special place in society? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Mild temperature remarkably enhances the removal of norfloxacin in nZVC/PS process. • The strengthening mechanism is elucidated and clearly presented. • Several key operating variables are thoroughly investigated. • The degradation pathways of norfloxacin by 40 °C/nZVC/PS are clarified. Abstract In this study, mild temperature was applied to enhance norfloxacin (NOR) degradation in nanoscale zero-valent copper (nZVC) activated persulfate (PS) process and the underlying activation mechanism was detailedly elaborated. Results showed that the activation performance of nZVC was far superior than that of micro zero-valent copper (mZVC), and almost complete elimination of 31.32 μM NOR was achieved within only 5 min in the condition of 0.05 g/L nZVC and 1.0 mM PS at 40 °C. The in-situ generated Cu+ was found to be the pivotal active copper species for PS activation and the presence of dissolved oxygen was favorable for its release. Mild temperature not only accelerated the Cu+ release from the nZVC corrision, but provided more opportunity for intermolecular collision to quickly form reactive oxygen species. SO 4 −∙ and ∙OH played the primary role for NOR destruction, while O 2 −· and H 2 O 2 served as the mediators for copper cycling. The higher PS concentration favored NOR removal, whereas overdosing nZVC exerted the negative impact. Further increasing reaction temperature significantly accelerated the elimination of NOR in nZVC/PS process. The satisfactory removal of NOR was achieved under the acidic and neutral conditions. The NOR oxidation in the tested process was found to follow four routes and the cleavage of piperazine ring was determined to be the primary one. These encouraging results demonstrated that mild temperature enhanced nZVC/PS process was a promising strategy for the treatment of refractory and non-biodegradable industrial wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multifunctional silicon carbide (6H–SiC) material with efficient wicking and evaporative cooling performances in a temperature range of 23–180 °C is created through hierarchical surface nano/microstructuring by a femtosecond laser. The elaborated hierarchical surface structure is an array of nanotextured microgrooves that includes structural features in a range between about 15 nm and 140 μm, integrating benefits from micro- and nanoscale physics of capillarity and thermodynamics. The spatiotemporal dynamics of both water spreading and temperature field obtained by optical and infrared imaging show the excellent wicking and evaporative cooling functionalities of the created material. The range of applications of the developed multifunctional 6H–SiC material includes the technologies for enhancing power generation efficiency, waste heat recovery, and cooling high-heat-flux Si- and SiC-based electronic devices. The application of the created material in cooling technologies for power generation can result in substantial fuel savings and global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a new-type flame retardant and toxic substance, triphenyl phosphate (TPP) is a ubiquitous pollutant present even in human blood. TPP is transformed by human CYP enzymes to oxidized/dealkylated metabolites. The impact of TPP metabolism on its toxicity, however, remains unclear. In this study, the genotoxicity of TPP in several mammalian cell lines and its relevance to CYP/sulfortransferase (SULT) activities were investigated. The results indicated that TPP induced micronucleus formation at ≥1 μM concentrations in a human hepatoma (C3A, endogenous CYPs being substantial) cell line, which was abolished by 1-aminobenzotriazole (CYPs inhibitor). In cell line HepG2 (parental to C3A with lower CYP expression) TPP was inactive up to 10 μM, while pretreatment with ethanol (CYP2E1 inducer), PCB 126 (CYP1A inducer), or rifampicin (CYP3A inducer) led to micronucleus formation by TPP. In V79-Mz and V79-derived cells expressing human CYP1A1 TPP was inactive (up to 32 μM), and in cells expressing human CYP1B1, 2B6 and 3A4 it induced micronucleus weakly (positive only at 32 μM). However, TPP induced micronucleus potently in V79-derived cells expressing human CYP1A2, while this effect was drastically reduced by human SULT1A1 co-expression; likewise, TPP was inactive in cells expressing both human CYP2E1 and SULT1A1, but became positive with pentachlorophenol (inhibitor of SULT1) co-exposure. Moreover, in C3A cells TPP selectively induced centromere-free micronucleus (immunofluorescent assay), and TPP increased γ-H2AX (by Western blot, indicating double-strand DNA breaks). In conclusion, this study suggests that TPP is potently clastogenic, human CYP1A2 and 2E1 being major activating enzymes while SULT1A1 involved in detoxification. • Triphenyl phosphate (TPP) induced genotoxic effect in mammalian cells. • The genotoxicity of TPP depended on metabolic activation by human CYP enzymes. • Human CYP1A2 and 2E1 were the major metabolic enzymes involved in activating TPP. • The mode of TPP-induced chromosome damage appeared to be purely clastogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Islet transplantation is an excellent method for the treatment of type I diabetes mellitus. However, due to the limited number of donors, cumbersome isolation and purification procedures, and immune rejection, the clinical application is greatly limited. The development of a simple and efficient new method to obtain islet β-cells is a key problem that urgently requires a solution for the treatment of type I diabetes mellitus. Methods: In this study, Pbx1, Rfx3, Pdx1, Ngn3, Pax4 and MafA were used to form a six-gene combination to efficiently reprogram aMSCs (adipose mesenchymal stem cells) into ra-βCs (reprogrammed aMSCs-derived islet β-cells), and the characteristics and immunogenicity of ra-βCs were detected. Feasibility of ra-βCs transplantation for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in model dogs and clinical dogs was detected. Results: In this study, aMSCs were efficiently reprogrammed into ra-βCs using a six-gene combination. The ra-βCs showed islet β-cell characteristics. The immunogenicity of ra-βCs was detected and remained low in vitro and increased after transplantation. The cotransplantation of ra-βCs and aMSCs in the treatment of a model and clinical cases of canine diabetes mellitus achieved ideal therapeutic effects. Conclusions: The aMSCs were efficiently reprogrammed into ra-βCs using a six-gene combination. The cotransplantation of ra-βCs and aMSCs as a treatment for canine diabetes is feasible, which provides a theoretical basis and therapeutic method for the treatment of canine diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable evaporative energy from atmospheric air is a recently emerged research field that demonstrates the great potential for significant energy savings in the air conditioning of buildings, data/big-data/integrated-big-data centers, agricultural storage facilities, and greenhouses. Here, we develop a method for an essential increase in the harvesting efficiency of renewable air evaporative energy by enhancing the water evaporation rate through the shaping of the air-water interface (AWI) by the menisci formed in superhydrophilic hierarchical surface nano/microstructures. Using this method, we achieve a 10-fold rise in the evaporation rate for the microscale AWI shaping. For the first time, we discover the superevaporation effect that provides an unprecedented 130-fold rise in the evaporation rate at the hierarchical nano/microscale AWI shaping. Furthermore, based on these findings, for the first time, we elaborate a novel material with an engineered AWI for a significant increase in the harvesting of renewable air evaporative energy in the dew point (Maisotsenko cycle) indirect evaporative air conditioning systems whose operation is fundamentally based on utilizing renewable air evaporative energy. The dew point cooling device fabricated using this novel material shows significantly superior cooling performance, validating the substantially enhanced harvesting of the air's evaporative energy. Our findings can essentially advance the emerging field of renewable air evaporative energy and, besides the air conditioning technology, can provide significant efficiency enhancements in water purification/desalination, thermal management, gas turbine power generation, and waste heat recovery technologies. • A method for efficient harvesting renewable air evaporative energy is proposed. • The proposed method is based on the shaping of the air-water interface to enhance evaporation. • A 10-fold rise in the evaporation rate for microscale AWI shaping is achieved. • Superevaporation from nano/microshaped air-water interface was found. • A proof-of-concept dew-point evaporative cooler validates the efficiency of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remediation of water polluted by fluroquinolones antibiotics remains an important issue. Although zero-valent copper (ZVC) coupled with molecular oxygen can destruct refractory organic pollutants, the activation efficiency still needs to be further improved. In this study, the introduction of ascorbic acid (AA) in ZVC/air process maintained a high-concentration of Cu(Ⅰ), which can efficiently activate molecular oxygen to generate reactive oxygen species (ROSs). Superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals coexisted in nZVC/AA/air system. The former contributed to the yield of H 2 O 2 and also acted as a mediator for Cu(Ⅱ)/Cu(Ⅰ) redox cycles, the latter was the pivotal ROSs for ciprofloxacin (CIP) destruction. The CIP degradation decelerated through the addition of excessive nZVC and AA, and the optimum dosages of nZVC and AA were determined to be 0.2 g/L and 1 mM, respectively. The developed nZVC/AA/air process could efficiently operate in a relative broad pH range of 3.0–7.0, which was due to the fact that AA prevented the precipitation of copper ions in solution via forming stable chelates. The coexistence of Cl− severely retarded the CIP removal. According to the results of UPLC-MS/MS analysis and density functional theory calculations, the plausible degradation pathways including the decarboxylation, defluorination, hydroxylation and cleavage of C–C bond in piperazine ring were proposed. [Display omitted] • The introduction of AA in nZVC/air system greatly accelerated CIP degradation. • AA maintained a high-concentration of Cu(Ⅰ), which efficiently activated molecular oxygen to generate ROSs. • Hydroxyl radicals mainly contributed to CIP destruction, while superoxide radical functioned as the mediator for copper cycles. • Several key affecting factors including ZVC dosage, AA concentration, solution pH and chlorine were examined. • The transformation route of CIP in nZVC/AA/air system was put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been extensively explored over the past decade, including mice and humans. However, their impact on the transdifferentiation of canine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (cBMSCs) into insulin-producing cells (IPCs) is largely unknown. In this study, we used a three-step induction procedure to induce cBMSCs into IPCs, and samples (two biological replicates each) were obtained after each step; the samples consisted of "BMSCs" (B), "stage 1" (S1), "stage 2" (S2), "stage 3" (S3), and "islets" (I). After sequencing, 15,091 lncRNAs were identified, and we screened 110, 41, 23, and 686 differentially expressed lncRNAs (padjusted < 0.05) in B vs. S1, S1 vs. S2, S2 vs. S3, and I vs. S3 pairwise comparisons, respectively. In lncRNA target prediction, there were 166,623 colocalized targets and 2,976,362 correlated targets. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that binding represented the main molecular functions of both the cis- and trans-modes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis suggested that the insulin signaling pathway, Rap1 signaling pathway, tight junctions, MAPK signaling pathway, and cell cycle were enriched for these relative genes. The expression of lncRNAs was verified using qRT-PCR. This study provides a lncRNA catalog for future research concerning the mechanism of the transdifferentiation of cBMSCs into IPCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]