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Highlights • Usage of digital notepad is related to performance in science inquiry tasks in OELE. • Both taking and reaccessing notes facilitate science inquiry performance. • Elaborative and reproductive notes' relationship with success is content dependent. Abstract Note-taking is important for academic success and has been thoroughly studied in traditional classroom contexts. Recent advancements of technology have led to more students taking notes on computers, and in different situations than are common in traditional instructional contexts. However, research on computer-based note-taking is still an emerging area, and findings from these studies are mixed. In this exploratory study, we conducted multilevel analysis to comprehensively investigate the relationship between note-taking measures and subsequent student success at science inquiry among middle school students, using two scenarios of an open-ended learning environment named Virtual Performance Assessments. Analysis revealed an advantage for content elaborative note-taking over content reproductive note-taking conditional on the source of notes taken, but other measures were less consistent between the two scenarios. Implications of the findings and limitations of this research are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although medically important, the systematics of Spirometra and the taxonomic position of S. erinaceieuropaei remain unclear. In this study, the 18S rDNA gene of S. erinaceieuropaei sparganum from naturally infected frogs caught in 14 geographical locations of China was sequenced. In addition, all available 18S sequences of the family Diphyllobothriidae in the Genbank database were included to reconstruct the phylogeny of diphyllobothriid tapeworms. The secondary structure model of the 18S rDNA was also predicated to further explore the sequence variation. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum parsimony (MP), maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. The intraspecific divergences of 18S rDNA in Chinese sparganum isolates ranged from 0.0 to 0.4%. Regions of V2, V4 and V7 were the most variable regions in the secondary structure of 18S rDNA. With the exception of genera Duthiersia and Probothriocephalus , other genera (i.e., Adenocephalus , Diphyllobothrium , Diplogonoporus , Duthiersia , Schistocephalus and Spirometra ) selected in the Diphyllobothriidae shared similar topologies of V2, V4 and V7 structures. The topology of generated phylogenetic trees revealed close relationships among Adenocephalus , Digramma , Diphyllobothrium , Diplogonoporus , Ligula , Sparganum and Spirometra . The exact phylogenetic position of Spirometra species should be further analyzed with more sampling and more useful molecular markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene oxide-Ag nanoparticle composites were prepared through impregnation reduction using different reactants. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses were performed to characterize differences in the morphologies of three different Ag–GO composites. Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry analyses were also applied to evaluate the morphology and thermal stability of the hybrid membranes. Swelling–sorption and pervaporation experiments of benzene and cyclohexane were conducted to evaluate the separation performance of hybrid membranes containing different Ag–GO composites. Results demonstrated that small Ag nanoparticles generated through impregnation reduction using Ag(NH 3 ) 2 + and PEG were homogeneously distributed in the hybrid membranes because of moderate reduction rate. The polymide (PI) hybrid membrane exhibited high separation performance. Increase in Ag content in the Ag–GO samples led to the formation of Ag particles on the GO surface; these particles enhanced the separation performance of the hybrid membranes. When Ag-GO samples with 15 mass percent added, the hybrid membrane showed the highest separation performance and its maximum separation factor in the pervaporation experiments reached 35. It is more than three times higher than that of the GO/PI hybrid membrane. Moreover, large Ag particles were formed and aggregated during the preparation and polymerization of Ag–GO samples with high Ag contents; these particles reduced the separation performance of the hybrid membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) is a marker of cancer initiating cells. [•] ALDH1 activity was inhibited by Nodal, a TGF-β signal stimulator. [•] Proteasome inhibitor blocked the effect of Nodal on ALDH1. [•] ALDH1 was degraded by Nodal in ubiquitine–proteasome pathway. [•] Regulation of cancer initiating cells with Nodal may be a novel therapeutic target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We describe the use of behavioral, neuroimaging, and genetic methods to examine individual differences in cognition and affect, guided by three criteria: (1) relevance to human performance in work and everyday settings; (2) interactions between working memory, decision-making, and affective processing; and (3) examination of individual differences. The results of behavioral, functional MRI (fMRI), event-related potential (ERP), and molecular genetic studies show that analyses at the group level often mask important findings associated with sub-groups of individuals. Dopaminergic/noradrenergic genes influencing prefrontal cortex activity contribute to inter-individual variation in working memory and decision behavior, including performance in complex simulations of military decision-making. The interactive influences of individual differences in anxiety, sensation seeking, and boredom susceptibility on evaluative decision-making can be systematically described using ERP and fMRI methods. We conclude that a multi-modal neuroergonomic approach to examining brain function (using both neuroimaging and molecular genetics) can be usefully applied to understanding individual differences in cognition and affect and has implications for human performance at work. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A low-cost, green, and reproducibly non-injection one-pot synthesis of high-quality CdS quantum dots (QDs) is reported. The synthesis was performed in the open air by mixing precursors cadmium stearate and S powder into a new solvent N-oleoylmorpholine. An overlapped nucleation-growth stage followed by a dominated growth stage was observed. The resulting QDs exhibited well-resolved absorption fine substructure and a dominant band-edge emission with a narrow size distribution (the full width at half maximum (fwhm) was only 22–24nm). The maximum photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY) was as high as 46.5%. Highly monodispersed CdS QDs with tunable sizes and similar PL fwhm and QYs could also be obtained from the CdS QDs in a large-scale synthesis. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) images and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern suggested that the as-prepared QDs with high crystallinity had a cubic structure. A significant PL improvement and a continuous QY increase for the CdS QDs were observed during a long storage time in air and in a glovebox under room temperature. A slow surface reconstruction was proposed to be the cause for the PL enhancement of CdS QDs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

During China’s Cultural Revolution, a large proportion of urban youth were forced to go to the countryside as a result of the state’s “send-down” policy. Past research has been ambivalent about the long-term social consequences for the Chinese youth who experienced send-down. Some scholars have suggested that the send-down experience may have yielded beneficial effects. To test this claim, we analyze data from the Survey of Family Life in Urban China, which we conducted in three large cities in 1999. Questions available in this data set allow us to ascertain the send-down experience of both the respondent and a sibling and educational attainment at the times of send-down and return. Our analyses of the new data show that the send-down experience does not seem to have benefited the affected Chinese youth. Differences in social outcomes between those who experienced send-down and those who did not are either non-existent or spurious due to other social processes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Heat shock proteins (HSP) function as molecular chaperones, participating in protein folding and maturation throughout the cell. Serum HSPs may correlate with acute lung injury. Pericytes are perivascular cells located abluminally from endothelial cells, and play a regulatory role in capillary leak. It is our hypothesis that pericytes express HSP 60 and HSP 70, and these HSPs are up-regulated in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: Rat microvascular lung pericytes were isolated and cultured. Cells from passages three to five were used and treated with LPS (control, 10 ng/mL, and 100 ng/mL) for either 4 or 18 h. Immunoblotting and real-time PCR were used to analyze the presence and quantity of HSP 60 and HSP 70. Results: Immunoblotting revealed the presence of HSP 60 and HSP 70 in control pericytes. After 4 h of treatment with LPS (10 ng/mL and 100 ng/mL), no increase in protein expression of HSP 60 or HSP 70 was seen. However, after 18 h an increase in protein expression of HSP 60 and HSP 70 was seen. Real-time PCR demonstrated the presence of HSP 60 mRNA and HSP 70 mRNA in control pericytes. An increase in mRNA was seen after 18 h of LPS treatment, but not after 4 h. Conclusions: This study provides the first in vitro evidence that rat lung pericytes express HSP 60 and HSP 70. HSP 60 and HSP 70 are up-regulated after 18 h of LPS exposure. Pericyte heat shock protein expression may contribute to the lung’s response seen in sepsis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: The microvascular pericyte was first described in 1873, though it is a cell that has largely been ignored in the clinical literature. Pericytes are multifunctional, polymorphic, perivascular cells that lie within, and contribute to the production of the microvessel basil lamina. Materials: The pericyte is the second cell that comprises the capillary wall, and is in a prime location to be involved with microvascular permeability. The exact sequence of events in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is unknown, though increased permeability (pulmonary edema) is the primary physiological abnormality seen in the early stages. Pericytes are crucial in the development of capillary leak and pulmonary edema seen in ARDS. Pericytes regulate permeability through contractility and apoptosis. Results: Changes in pericyte contractility alter the physical capillary barrier by opening the endothelial junctional space, and are reversible. Pericyte apoptosis leads to a compromise of the barrier effect of the capillary wall, and is a more permanent change. Conclusions: The purpose of this paper is to review publications of pericyte physiological and pathophysiologic interactions in regards to contractility, apoptosis, and permeability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Pericytes are multifunctional, polymorphic perivascular cells that lie within the microvessel basal lamina, are located on the abluminal side of endothelial cells, and are thought to play a regulatory role in capillary leak observed in sepsis. Toll-Like receptor 4 (TLR-4) has been implicated as the proximal transmembrane receptor for the LPS/CD 14 complex during the activation of lipopolysacharide (LPS)-induced sepsis. It is our hypothesis that TLR-4 is present on lung pericytes and is up-regulated in response to LPS. Methods: Rat microvascular lung pericytes were isolated and cultured. Cells from passage 3–5 were used and treated with LPS (control, 10 ng/mL, and 100 ng/mL) for 18 h. Immunostaining and immunoblotting were performed to detect the presence of CD-14, TLR-2, and TLR-4. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the presence and quantity of mRNA for CD-14, TLR-2, and TLR-4. Results: Immunostaining and immunoblotting revealed the presence of CD-14, TLR-2, and TLR-4 in pericytes from each treatment group, and real-time polymerase chain reaction confirmed the presence of mRNA for CD-14, TLR-2, and TLR-4. An increase in the mRNA was observed in CD-14, TLR-2, and TLR-4 in the presence of increasing LPS 4 h after treatment. At 18 h after LPS treatment, a decrease in mRNA was noted. Conclusions: The up-regulation of TLR-4 in the presence of increasing LPS suggests its importance in pericyte LPS-induced activation. Pericyte TLR-4 recognition of LPS could play a role in capillary leak seen in sepsis. These data also demonstrates that pericytes, once thought to be passive participants in the inflammatory cascade, may be active members. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copper and silver nanocrystalline chalcogenides, Cu2−xSe, Cu2Te, Ag2Se, and Ag2Te, have been successfully synthesized in a mixture of ethylenediamine and hydrazine hydrate as a solvent at room temperature. Products showed different morphologies, such as nanotubes, nanorods, and nanoparticles. The results indicated that the coordination and chelation abilities of ethylenediamine play an important role in the formation of one-dimensional nanocrystalline binary chalcogenides, and hydrazine hydrate is crucial to the electron transfer in the room temperature reactions. These transition-metal nanocrystalline chalcogenides as prepared were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The UV-Vis absorption properties of these nanocrystals were also measured. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pickering emulsion templating is a versatile technique in formulating highly networked oil-in-water emulsions applicable in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals areas. In this work, oleogels was prepared by oil-in-water Pickering emulsions using regenerated chitin (RCh) as the stabilizing particles. The effects of RCh concentrations (0.4/100–1.4 g/100 g) on the formation, rheology, and log-term stability of the emulsions and oleogles were investigated. It was found that the solid-like oloegel with a high concentration of liquid oil (≥ 98 g/100 g) could be obtained after evaporating of water from the emulsions. Shear-thinning behavior was observed at lower concentrations of RCh (0.4–0.6 g/100 g) and higher frequencies in the emulsions. An increase in the viscoelastic property was achieved. Oleogels containing higher concentrations of RCh (0.8/100–1.4 g/100 g) showed excellent resistance against coalescence and Ostwald ripening during the storage time. These oleogels also showed good thermal stability (no sign of oil leakages) when heated to 80 °C for 2 days. This emulsion templating approach is a feasible oil structuring strategy promising to be used in various applications. [Display omitted] • Oleogel was prepared via Pickering emulsion stabilized by regenerated chitin (RCh). • The oleogel contains up to 98 wt% sunflower oil. • RCh formed a strong network and effectively bind the oils. • Oloegel showed higher gel strength (G'>105 Pa) and excellent structural stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd), an environmental pollutant, is evidenced to cause hepatotoxicity. In this study, the potential protective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on cadmium-induced liver damage was investigated. Forty male mice were treated daily with either CdCl 2 (1.5 mg/kg body weight (b.w.), gavage) or CAPE (10 μmol/kg b.w., gavage) or both for 4 weeks. CAPE administration significantly reduced Cd level and liver and body weight, and increased AST, ALT and ALP level. Moreover, CAPE prevented CdCl 2 -induced oxidative stress via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and inhibited apoptosis by regulating apoptosis markers. CAPE also suppressed the CdCl 2 -induced inflammation by reducing the inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Furthermore, CAPE alleviated CdCl 2 -induced reduction of TLR4. It should be noted that this effect was achieved by targeting miR-182-5p, and CAPE improved miR-182-5p level. The improvement of the liver tissue histopathology by CAPE confirmed the biochemical data. These results show for the first time that miR-182-5p/TLR4 axis involved in CAPE's protection against CdCl 2 -induced hepatotoxicity, and may provide novel insights into the treatment of cadmium-related diseases. ga1 • Cadmium induced hepatotoxicity via oxidative stress, inflammatory and apoptosis pathway. • CAPE plays a hepatoprotective role against cadmium induced damage. • MiR-182-5p/TLR4 axis involves in the protection of CAPE against CdCl 2 -induced hepatotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-efficient and economic sorbents are highly desired for arsenic (As) emission control in flue gas from coal-fired power plant. A series of Fe-Mn binary oxides were prepared by a facile method, and their behaviors for gaseous arsenic removal in flue gas were investigated. The binary oxide exhibited a remarkable synergistic effect for arsenic removal compared with Mn or Fe monometallic oxide. The possible effects of CO 2 , NO, SO 2 , and O 2 on the removal performance were also studied. The adsorption ability was excellent and stable in simulated flue gas conditions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and high-performance liquid chromatography atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (HPLC−AFS) coupling system were applied to analyze the species of surface-adsorbed arsenicals and soluble arsenicals. It was confirmed that the good sorption performance resulted from oxidation of As 2 O 3 (As(III)) to As 2 O 5 (As(V)) by Mn oxide and followed by efficient adsorption of As(V) on Fe oxide. Considering the toxicity of pentavalent arsenicals is lower than trivalent arsenicals, the oxidation of arsenic compounds can not only enhance its removal capacity but also decrease the toxicity of arsenicals after capture. ga1 ● A binary oxide exhibited excellent adsorption performance for gaseous arsenic. ● The good removal ability resulted from the synergic effects between Fe and Mn. ● The synthesized sorbents could greatly reduce the toxicity of arsenical in flue gas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) act as a key role in mediating carcinogenesis. Nevertheless, the functions and mechanisms of circRNAs in osteosarcoma (OS) are still not fully understood. In the present study, we aim to investigate the functions of circ-XPO1 in OS and its potential mechanism underlying OS progression. CircRNA microarray indicated elevation of circ-XPO1 in OS specimens relative to normal samples. Elevation of circ-XPO1 and XPO1 mRNA was identified in OS tissue specimens and cells by qRT-PCR. In addition, enhanced expression of circ-XPO1 and XPO1 mRNA both correlated with poor prognosis for the patients with OS, as estimated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Functionally, circ-XPO1 and XPO1 both facilitated the growth and invasion and decreased the apoptosis of OS cells. Moreover, we constructed the circ-XPO1-miRNAs-XPO1 3'-UTR interaction network and verified that circ-XPO1 could sponge miR-23a-3p, miR-23b-3p, miR-23c, and miR-130a-5p to regulate XPO1 expression. Furthermore, rescue assay indicated that the effect of circ-XPO1 on cell progression was partly relying on these miRNAs. Taken together, we found that circ-XPO1 regulated the expression of XPO1 through sponging miRNAs as a competing endogenous (ceRNA), providing the possibility that circ-XPO1 might play as a new therapeutic target for OS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huge amounts of fly ash (FA) can be annually produced in power plants. Fly ash always contains high levels of arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) due to the preconcentration of these two elements during coal combustion process. It would be much concerned to screen their fractions and potential environmental behaviors in fly ash for beneficial use and treatment. Fast and practical methods for this purpose are urgently needed. Two fast and effective microwave-assisted sequential extraction schemes (MASE) were developed for fast screening As and Se fractions in fly ash for the first time. The extraction parameters including microwave irradiation time, temperature and power energy were optimized by comparing the results from MASE and the conventional scheme (Wenzel method). The results indicate that the extraction efficiency of As and Se in various fractions can be significantly accelerated by microwave irradiation. The whole procedure operation time can be significantly reduced from 24.5 h to 44 min by microwave assistance compared with the conventional shaking schemes. The recoveries of As and Se in the various extracted fractions were all above 80% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 8%. The developed methods were further confirmed by the validation of the certified reference material GBW08401 and fly ash samples from six power plants. The developed MASE methods are practical and effective for fast screening arsenic and selenium fractions in fly ash samples. • Two fast microwave assisted sequential extraction procedures were developed for As and Se fractions in fly ash. • The operation time for sequential extraction was greatly reduced by the new developed methods. • As and Se in fly ash were mainly found in the bioavailable fractions with high environmental risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice taste quality determines the satisfaction of consumers and whether it can be profitable for growers. The accurate and fast determination of the taste quality of rice helps in evaluating the commodity price of rice. In this study, partial least squares regression (PLSR) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) were combined to predict changes in rice taste quality. The coefficient determination of cross-validation (R2 CV), the coefficient determination of prediction (R2 P), and the residual predictive deviation (RPD) of the PLSR model of the Savitzky-Golay first derivative spectrum were 0.84, 0.86, and 2.76, respectively. Three methods were applied to screen the valid wavelengths, including competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS), successive projections algorithm (SPA), and random frog (RF). The RF algorithm screened 10 effective wavelengths and had the best prediction ability. After mining the effective wavelength by RF, the R2 CV , R2 P , and RPD were 0.89, 0.93, and 3.8, respectively. This study provided a rapid and accurate method for determining the taste quality of large-scale rice samples. [Display omitted] • First use of PLSR to mine and model the near-infrared spectrum of rice taste quality. • The RPD of the full wavelength Savitzky-Golay first derivation spectrum was 2.76 • Mining effective wavelengths by CARS, SPA, and RF algorithm. • The combined RF and PLSR models shown that R2 cv , R2 P , and RPD were 0.89, 0.93 and 3.8 • The combination of NIR and PLSR could quickly and accurately measure the taste quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The voltage-gated calcium channel (Ca v ) β 1a subunit (Ca v β 1a ) plays an important role in excitation–contraction coupling (ECC), a process in the myoplasm that leads to muscle-force generation. Recently, we discovered that the Ca v β 1a subunit travels to the nucleus of skeletal muscle cells where it helps to regulate gene transcription. To determine how it travels to the nucleus, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screening of the mouse fast skeletal muscle cDNA library and identified an interaction with troponin T3 (TnT3), which we subsequently confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation and co-localization assays in mouse skeletal muscle in vivo and in cultured C2C12 muscle cells. Interacting domains were mapped to the leucine zipper domain in TnT3 COOH-terminus (160–244 aa) and Ca v β 1a NH 2 -terminus (1–99 aa), respectively. The double fluorescence assay in C2C12 cells co-expressing TnT3/DsRed and Ca v β 1a /YFP shows that TnT3 facilitates Ca v β 1a nuclear recruitment, suggesting that the two proteins play a heretofore unknown role during early muscle differentiation in addition to their classical role in ECC regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Synonymous mutations in mRNAs alter protein–protein binding through an unknown mechanism. • Simulations recapitulate this observation suggesting its kinetic and structural origins. • Synonymous mutations shift the population of protein molecules in long-lived kinetic trap states. • These traps exhibit misfolded dimer interfaces that alter binding affinities. • Misfolding involves changes in the presence of non-covalent lasso entanglements. Synonymous mutations in messenger RNAs (mRNAs) can reduce protein–protein binding substantially without changing the protein's amino acid sequence. Here, we use coarse-grain simulations of protein synthesis, post-translational dynamics, and dimerization to understand how synonymous mutations can influence the dimerization of two E. coli homodimers, oligoribonuclease and ribonuclease T. We synthesize each protein from its wildtype, fastest- and slowest-translating synonymous mRNAs in silico and calculate the ensemble-averaged interaction energy between the resulting dimers. We find synonymous mutations alter oligoribonuclease's dimer properties. Relative to wildtype, the dimer interaction energy becomes 4% and 10% stronger, respectively, when translated from its fastest- and slowest-translating mRNAs. Ribonuclease T dimerization, however, is insensitive to synonymous mutations. The structural and kinetic origin of these changes are misfolded states containing non-covalent lasso-entanglements, many of which structurally perturb the dimer interface, and whose probability of occurrence depends on translation speed. These entangled states are kinetic traps that persist for long time scales. Entanglements cause altered dimerization energies for oligoribonuclease, as there is a large association (odds ratio: 52) between the co-occurrence of non-native self-entanglements and weak-binding dimer conformations. Simulated at all-atom resolution, these entangled structures persist for long timescales, indicating the conclusions are independent of model resolution. Finally, we show that regions of the protein we predict to have changes in entanglement are also structurally perturbed during refolding, as detected by limited-proteolysis mass spectrometry. Thus, non-native changes in entanglement at dimer interfaces is a mechanism through which oligomer structure and stability can be altered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Frequency and functional relevance of non-covalent lasso entanglements are unknown. • They are present in a near majority of folded proteins across E. coli , S. cerevisiae and Homo sapiens. • Natural selection has enriched/depleted them in particular functional and biological classes. • Natural selection has spatially enriched them near functional residues in rare cases. • These motifs are widespread and functionally and biologically relevant across organisms. One-third of protein domains in the CATH database contain a recently discovered tertiary topological motif: non-covalent lasso entanglements, in which a segment of the protein backbone forms a loop closed by non-covalent interactions between residues and is threaded one or more times by the N- or C-terminal backbone segment. Unknown is how frequently this structural motif appears across the proteomes of organisms. And the correlation of these motifs with various classes of protein function and biological processes have not been quantified. Here, using a combination of protein crystal structures, AlphaFold2 predictions, and Gene Ontology terms we show that in E. coli , S. cerevisiae and H. sapiens that 71%, 52% and 49% of globular proteins contain one-or-more non-covalent lasso entanglements in their native fold, and that some of these are highly complex with multiple threading events. Further, proteins containing these tertiary motifs are consistently enriched in certain functions and biological processes across these organisms and depleted in others, strongly indicating an influence of evolutionary selection pressures acting positively and negatively on the distribution of these motifs. Together, these results demonstrate that non-covalent lasso entanglements are widespread and indicate they may be extensively utilized for protein function and subcellular processes, thus impacting phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid and accurate testing of wheat flour for illegal additives is important for maintaining food safety. In this study, a combination of NIR spectroscopy and partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to predict the levels of two illegal additives (talc powder and benzoyl peroxide) in wheat flour. Different critical wavelength selection algorithms (competitive adaptive reweighted sampling, CARS; random frog, RF; Monte Carlo uninformative variable elimination, MCUVE; CARS-RF; CARS-MCUVE) were used to filter key wavelengths. In our study, R2P for talc and benzoyl peroxide in the full-wavelength PLSR model was 0.995 and 0.964, respectively. The CARS-RF and RF were screened for 10 effective wavelengths. In wheat flour containing talc, the R2P and RPD of the model using the CARS-RF were 0.995 and 14.796, respectively. In wheat flour containing benzoyl peroxide, the R2P and RPD of the model using the RF were 0.923 and 3.697, respectively. CARS-RF and RF algorithms had great potential to accurately predict illegal additives. • NIR spectroscopy of wheat flour containing talc and benzoyl peroxide were collected. • Full-wavelength NIR spectroscopy and PLSR were used for modeling. • The 5 key wavelength algorithm was used to screen the key wavelength. • Both CARS-RF and RF algorithms screened out 10 key wavelengths. • CARS-RF and RF algorithms could predict the illegal additives in flour very well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonpolar (11–20) a-plane GaN films with AlN nucleation layer were grown on (10–12) r-plane sapphire substrate by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The crystalline and surface qualities of a-plane GaN were found to closely depend on the growth conditions of AlN nucleation layer. With decreasing AlN growth temperature, the AlN grains became larger and sparser, which significantly reduced the defects density of a-plane GaN films. The growth time of the low temperature AlN layer was further optimized, and a-plane GaN films with reduced anisotropy in the crystalline quality, surface morphology and in-plane strains were achieved. It was found that the lateral growth lengths along different directions of GaN could be modulated by the growth time of AlN nucleation layer, thus changing the anisotropy of a-plane GaN films. • The crystalline and surface qualities of a-plane GaN were found to closely depend on the growth conditions of AlN layer. • Better crystal quality could be obtained when low temperature AlN nucleation layer was used. • The optimum growth time of low temperature AlN buffer effectively reduced the anisotropy of a-plane GaN films. • The lateral growth lengths along different directions of GaN could be modulated by the growth time of AlN nucleation layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of PLAC8 on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The expression of PLAC8 in NPC and nasopharyngitis (NPG) tissues from 150 patients was determined using immunohistochemistry. The levels of PLAC8 in five NPC cell lines and nasopharyngeal permanent epithelial cell line were measured using western blotting. We then knocked out or overexpressed PLAC8 in CNE2 cells. Cell proliferation, wound healing, migration, and invasion assays were used to analyze the effects of PLAC8 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion in vivo and vitro. The results showed that the expression of PLAC8 was much higher in NPC tissues than in NPG tissues. The expression of PLAC8 was higher in all the cell lines than in the nasopharyngeal permanent epithelial cells. PLAC8 knockout resulted in significant decreases in cell proliferation, migration, and invasion; associated with lower protein levels of N-cadherin; and increased levels of E-cadherin. Overexpression of PLAC8 had the opposite effect. Furthermore, knockout of PLAC8 inactivated TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway and suppressed the growth of NPC xenografts. PLAC8 may promote the carcinogenesis and EMT of NPC via the TGF-β/Smad pathway, which suggests that PLAC8 may be a potential biomarker for NPC. Highlights • PLAC8 is up-regulated in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, and can promote Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma cell migration and invasion. • PLAC8 can enhance the process of EMT in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. • PLAC8 might induce EMT through TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice protein, varying in different nitrogen (N) fertilizer levels, is a crucial contributor to the eating and cooking qualities (ECQs) of rice. In this study, we investigated the relationship between protein components and ECQs of different rice varieties at different nitrogen fertilizer levels. Our results showed that prolamin and glutelin are the most abundant protein components in rice. Compared to the varieties, the effect of nitrogen fertilization on these two protein components was greater, with 59.3% and 45.9% of the variation in prolamin and glutelin soluble proteins being explained. Higher nitrogen application reduced the peak viscosity, trough viscosity, final viscosity, and breakdown, accompanied by lower adhesiveness and higher hardness in rice. Under nitrogen fertilization, prolamin and glutelin affected the ECQs of rice by affecting the adhesiveness and hardness of rice, respectively. At a nitrogen fertilizer level of 100 kg ha−1, the reduction in ECQs of rice was small and a balance between rice yield and ECQs could be achieved. Overall, our results suggested that appropriate N fertilization would reduce the deterioration of rice texture on account of elevated protein compositions. [Display omitted] • The increasing N level expanded rice main protein components' distribution. • Prolamin and glutelin significantly degrades rice eating and cooking quality. • Prolamin reduces the adhesiveness of rice. • Glutelin affects rice taste mainly by increasing rice hardness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The slight release of substance P (SP) from the end of peripheral nerve fibers causes a neurogenic inflammatory reaction, promotes vascular dilation and increases vascular permeability. However, whether SP can promote the angiogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) under high glucose conditions has not been reported. This study analyzed the targets, biological processes and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of SP on BMSCs. BMSCs cultured in vitro were divided into a normal control group, high glucose control group, high glucose SP group and high glucose Akt inhibitor group to verify the effects of SP on BMSCs proliferation, migration and angiogenic differentiation. SP was found to act on 28 targets of BMSCs and participate in angiogenesis. Thirty-six core proteins, including AKT1, APP, BRCA1, CREBBP and EGFR, were identified. In a high glucose environment, SP increased the BMSCs proliferation optical density value and cell migration number and reduced the BMSCs apoptosis rate. In addition, SP induced BMSCs to highly express the CD31 protein, maintain the wall structure integrity of the matrix glue mesh and promote increases in the number of matrix glue meshes. These experiments showed that in a high glucose environment, SP acts on 28 targets of BMSCs that encode core proteins, such as AKT1, APP and BRCA1, and improves BMSCs proliferation, migration and angiogenic differentiation through the Akt signaling pathway. [Display omitted] • Substance P (SP) was found to act on 28 targets of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and participate in angiogenesis. Thirty-six core proteins, including AKT1, APP, BRCA1, CREBBP and EGFR, were identified. • In a high glucose environment, SP increased the BMSCs proliferation optical density value and cell migration number and reduced the BMSCs apoptosis rate. SP induced BMSCs to highly express the CD31 protein, maintain the wall structure integrity of the matrix glue mesh and promote increases in the number of matrix glue meshes. • These experiments showed that in a high glucose environment, SP acts on 28 targets of BMSCs that encode core proteins, such as AKT1, APP and BRCA1, and improves BMSCs proliferation, migration and angiogenic differentiation through the Akt signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice taste quality is one of the most important factors influencing rice marketing and distribution, and rice with a high taste quality is more popular with consumers and has a higher price. Accurate and rapid determination of rice protein content helps to assess the rice taste quality and aids in marketing. In this study, NIR spectra of 84 rice samples combined with partial least squares regression (PLSR) were used to model protein content, and different selection algorithms based on key wavelengths (competitive adaptive reweighted sampling, CARS; Monte-Carlo uninformative wavelength elimination, MC-UVE; random frog, RF) were used to understand the accuracy of NIR spectra in predicting the rice protein content. Our results showed that the R2P and RPD of the original full-spectrum PLSR model were 0.83 and 1.95, respectively. After the second-order derivative preprocessing, the R2P and RPD of the full spectrum were improved to 0.95 and 4.14. Both CARS and MC-UVE increased the R2P of the PLSR model to 0.97 and the RPD to 5.57 and 5.65, respectively. R2C and R2CV in the PLSR model based on CARS algorithm were 0.93 and 0.91, respectively. The CARS algorithm had excellent results in predicting the rice protein content. [Display omitted] • PLSR was used to mine NIR spectra of rice protein content. • The RPD of the full original wavelength spectrum was 1.95. • Mining key wavelengths by CARS, MC-UVE, and RF algorithms. • The CARS and PLSR based models showed that R2P and RPD were 0.97 and 5.57. • CARS was an excellent algorithm in determining the protein content of rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous Co 3 O 4 ( meso -Co 3 O 4 ) and its supported Au, Pd, and Au–Pd alloy ( x Au y Pd/ meso -Co 3 O 4 ; x = 0.43–2.94 wt%; Au/Pd molar ratio ( y ) = 0.43–0.50) nanocatalysts were prepared using the KIT-6-templating and polyvinyl alcohol-protected reduction methods, respectively. It is found that the meso -Co 3 O 4 with a high surface area of 106 m 2 /g was cubic in crystal structure and the noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) with a size of 2.7–4.5 nm were uniformly dispersed on the surface of meso -Co 3 O 4 . The 2.94Au 0.50 Pd/ meso -Co 3 O 4 sample performed the best for methane combustion, showing the T 10% , T 50% , and T 90% (temperatures required for achieving methane conversions of 10%, 50%, and 90%) of 230, 280, and 324 °C at a space velocity of 20,000 mL/(g h) and the lowest apparent activation energy of 44.4 kJ/mol. Furthermore, the effects of CO 2 , SO 2 , and H 2 O addition on the catalytic stability of 2.94Au 0.50 Pd/ meso -Co 3 O 4 were also examined. It is concluded that the excellent catalytic performance of 2.94Au 0.50 Pd/ meso -Co 3 O 4 was associated with its porous structure, high adsorbed oxygen species concentration, good low-temperature reducibility, and strong interaction between Au–Pd alloy NPs and meso -Co 3 O 4 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal aging is associated with greater decline in associative memory relative to item memory due to impaired recollection. Familiarity may also contribute to associative recognition when stimuli are perceived as a ‘unitized’ representation. Given that familiarity is relatively preserved in older adults, we explored whether age-related associative memory deficits could be attenuated when associations were unitized (i.e., compounds) compared with those non-unitized (i.e., unrelated word pairs). Young and older adults performed an associative recognition task while electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. Behavioral results showed that age differences were smaller for recognition of compounds than for unrelated word pairs. ERP results indicated that only compounds evoked an early frontal old/new effect in older adults. Moreover, the early frontal old/new effect was positively correlated with associative discrimination accuracy. These findings suggest that reduced age-related associative deficits under unitized condition may be associated with the presence of familiarity-based retrieval of compounds in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monetary incentive delay (MID) task is a widely used probe for isolating neural circuitry in the human brain associated with incentive motivation. In the present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, 82 young adults, characterized along dimensions of impulsive sensation seeking, completed a MID task. fMRI and behavioral incentive functions were decomposed into incentive valence and magnitude parameters, which were used as predictors in linear regression to determine whether mesolimbic response is associated with problem drinking and recent alcohol use. Alcohol use was best explained by higher fMRI response to anticipation of losses and feedback on high gains in the thalamus. In contrast, problem drinking was best explained by reduced sensitivity to large incentive values in mesolimbic regions in the anticipation phase and increased sensitivity to small incentive values in the dorsal caudate nucleus in the feedback phase. Altered fMRI responses to monetary incentives in mesolimbic circuitry, particularly those alterations associated with problem drinking, may serve as potential early indicators of substance abuse trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Ordered mesoporous cobalt oxide (meso-Co3O4) is obtained via KIT-6-templating route. [•] xAu/meso-Co3O4 nanocatalysts are prepared using the colloidal deposition method. [•] Au nanoparticles are highly dispersed inside the mesoporous channels of meso-Co3O4. [•] xAu/meso-Co3O4 perform well in the oxidation of CO, benzene, toluene, and o-xylene. [•] There is a strong interaction between Au nanoparticles and meso-Co3O4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The phosphor of YBO3: Sb3+ was synthesized by solid state reaction. Its crystal structure was examined by using X-ray diffraction analysis. The morphology and particle size were characterized with a scanning electron microscopy. The properties of YBO3: Sb3+ luminescence was systematically studied by exciting borate host, the 1P1 and 3P1 levels of Sb3+ at the Ci and C 1 sites with 168, 203, 218, 252 and 262nm, respectively, measured on the synchrotron radiation instruments. The different configurations of emission spectra excited with variant wavelengths show the character of wavelength-selective excitation, which was attributed to different occupations of the Sb3+ site in the YBO3 crystal lattice. Moreover, strong electron–lattice interaction (i.e., the Jahn–Teller effect) between Sb3+ and YBO3 host was discriminated by comparing low temperature and room temperature spectra. The site-selective luminescence was confirmed by YBO3 activated with multiple Sb3+ concentrations. The spectral assignment was verified with fluorescence lifetime achieved by using the Time-Correlated Single-Photon Counting method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) constitute a new class of delivery vectors with high pharmaceutical potential. However, the abilities of these peptides to translocate through cell membranes can be accompanied by toxic effects resulting from membrane perturbation at higher peptide concentrations. Therefore, we investigated membrane toxicity of five peptides with well-documented cell-penetrating properties, pAntp(43–58), pTAT(48–60), pVEC(615–632), model amphipathic peptide (MAP), and transportan 10, on two human cancer cell lines, K562 (erythroleukemia) and MDA-MB-231 (breast cancer), as well as on immortalized aortic endothelial cells. We studied the effects of these five peptides on the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase and on the fluorescence of plasma membrane potentiometric dye bis-oxonol. In all cell lines, pAntp(43–58), pTAT(48–60), and pVEC(615–632) induced either no leakage or low leakage of lactate dehydrogenase, accompanied by modest changes in bis-oxonol fluorescence. MAP and transportan 10 caused significant leakage; in K562 and MDA-MB-231 cells, 40% of total lactate dehydrogenase leaked out during 10min exposure to 10μM of transportan 10 and MAP, accompanied by a significant increase in bis-oxonol fluorescence. However, none of the CPPs tested had a hemolytic effect on bovine erythrocytes comparable to mastoparan 7. The toxicity profiles presented in the current study are of importance when selecting CPPs for different applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The interface, optical and electrical properties of InGaN light emitting diodes (LEDs) with different H 2 flow treatment during the barrier growth are investigated in this study. With H 2 treatment, the interface between the quantum well and barrier becomes rougher and the photoluminescence intensity decreases. The external quantum efficiency of the LEDs with 600 sccm (2.7%) H 2 treatment has the best performance among the samples. Both the forward and reverse leakage currents of the samples are reduced significantly when treated with H 2. Among the samples, a H 2 flow with 600 sccm (2.7%) gives the best performance. • Adding H 2 during barrier growth aggravates interface undulation. • 600 sccm (2.7%) H 2 gives the highest EQE and alleviated efficiency droop. • H 2 treatment during barrier growth reduces the forward and reverse leakage current. • 600 sccm (2.7%) H 2 gives the best I–V performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]