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• ShuGan-QieZhi capsule has a synergistic effect of improving lipid metabolism and inflammation in the treatment of NAFLD. • Eight bioactive components of SGQZC regulated lipid metabolism and inflammatory factor in vitro. • SGQZC may exert anti-NAFLD effects by inhibiting the activation of MAPK and AKT/NF-κB signaling pathways. ShuGan-QieZhi capsule (SGQZC) is a traditional Chinese preparation used to treat hyperlipidemia and obesity, even non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, its therapeutic effects, main bioactive ingredients, as well as potential mechanisms for NAFLD are still unclear. To investigate the pharmacological effect, main active ingredients, and mechanisms of SGQZC against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD in mice. NAFLD models were established by feeding C57BL/6 J mice an HFD for 24 weeks. From the 12th week, HFD-fed mice received daily gavage of either SGQZC or silibinin for 12 weeks. Hepatic hypertrophy parameters, along with hepatic and systemic lipid metabolism changes in NAFLD mice, were assessed. Oil red O and histopathological staining techniques determined lipid accumulation and liver injury severity. qRT-PCR analysis measured the expression of genes tied to liver lipid metabolism and inflammation. HPLC-MS/MS identified the primary components of SGQZC in the serum. Human normal hepatocytes (LO2) and hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) were used to screen SGQZC's bioactive ingredients. Network pharmacological analysis, transcriptomics, and western blotting delved into SGQZC's synergistic mechanisms against NAFLD. SGQZC ameliorated abnormal lipid metabolism and liver hypertrophy in mice with HFD-induced NAFLD, consequently reducing hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammatory cell infiltration, and liver impairment. Eight crucial components of SGQZC were detected in serum using HPLC-MS/MS and were found to effectively attenuate lipid accumulation and inflammation in liver cells. Further investigation indicated that SGQZC modulates MAPK pathway and AKT/NF-κB pathway, subsequently improving lipid metabolism and inflammation. SGQZC alleviates NAFLD by synergistically modulating the MAPK-mediated lipid metabolism and inhibiting AKT/NF-κB pathways-mediated inflammation. Our findings reveal the enormous potential of SGQZC for the treatment of NAFLD, providing a possible new clinical therapeutic strategy. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

American Airlines (AA) terminated two non-stop services from Chicago to Beijing and Shanghai, respectively, in October 2018. Using the DB1B database, I study the pricing and quality effects of AA's network structure switch for the Chicago-China route. In particular, I examine how average fares and on-time performances (OTP) in AA's three hubs, namely, Chicago (ORD), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), and Los Angeles (LAX), would be affected following the route cancellations. The estimation results indicate higher fares and worsening OTP for nonstop flights connecting DFW and ORD but not those connecting LAX. Coupled with AA's reconstruction plans, these findings may be partly caused by the fact that most international passengers who would depart from ORD are now diverted through DFW instead, given its proximity, which disproportionally drives up the demand and traffic at DFW. My analysis adds to the literature by investigating the impact of network choice of an international market on price and quality provision in the domestic market. • I study the effects of AA's network structure switch for the Chicago-China route. • The route cancellations resemble a switch from a fully connected to a hub-and-spoke network. • AA's move leads to higher fares and worsening OTP for nonstop flights connecting DFW. • I find strategic interactions among airlines in frequency and network size choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The introduction of secondary air (SA) in fluidized bed boilers is of important engineering significance. In the present work, an experimental study on the characteristics of SA penetration is carried out by operating a bubbling fluidized bed model. Floater, the ash formed from coal combustion, is used as experimental bed material. It has an average size of 0.83 mm and a low density of 620 kg/m3. Results indicate that the floater is more suitable to be operated in a spouted or a bubbling bed. Comparing with the conventional sand and FCC, the fluidizing characteristics of the floater are similar to those of Geldart Group D particles. From measurements of the solid concentration in the bed cross section at SA injection level by use of a solid concentration measuring thief probe of own design, the relation between SA jetting distance and SA velocity under different solid concentrations is obtained when the properties of bed material and SA ports are fixed. Furthermore, a dimensionless correlation is proposed for general cases. The results may provide a basis for further study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Studying the influences of initial support on overbreak and underbreak. • Application of LSACB pattern in controlling overbreak and underbreak of tunnel. • Invesgating the rock damage mechanism in the LSACB pattern. • Giving some suggestions to control overbreak and underbreak. The problems of overbreak and underbreak exist widely in drilling and blasting (D&B) tunnels. The pattern of traditional contour blastholes (TCB) has drawbacks in controlling overbreak and underbreak due to neglecting the impacts of the initial support. Generally, it brings about the large look-out angle causing overbreak in engineering. Therefore, this paper put forward the long and short associate contour blastholes (LSACB) pattern which had been applied in metro tunnels in Qingdao, China. Field tests showed that the LSACB pattern can control overbreak better than the TCB pattern. After that, damage models were built to analyze the proposed pattern. For example, the rock damage evolution in the LSACB pattern was discussed. The effects of the unsupported length, initial support thickness, and the advance per round on this pattern were also studied further. Finally, combining the LSACB pattern and the existing technology, some suggestions were put forward to control the overbreak. This paper provided an excellent reference for similar projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding future climate change requires accurate estimates of the impacts of atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition, composed of both inorganic and organic compounds, on greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes in grassland ecosystems. However, previous studies have focused on inorganic compounds and have not considered the potential effects of organic N sources. Here, we conducted a grassland experiment that included organic, inorganic N, and a mix of them at a ratio of 4:6, with two input rates, to study N inputs induced CO 2 , CH 4, and N 2 O fluxes, as well as the potential abiotic and biotic mechanisms driving the fluxes. We found that N compositions significantly affected fluxes each of the three GHGs. Greater organic N decreased the impacts of N addition on CO 2 and N 2 O emissions, caused primarily by low rates of increase in substrates (soil available N) for production of CO 2 and N 2 O resulting from high ammonia volatilization rather than changes in microbial activity. Also, greater organic N slightly stimulated CH 4 uptake. Nitrogen composition effects on CO 2 emissions and CH 4 uptake were independent of N input rates and measurement dates, but N 2 O emissions showed stronger responses to inorganic N under high N addition and in June. These results suggest that future studies should consider the source of N to improve our prediction of future climate impact of N deposition, and that management of N fertilization can help mitigate GHG emissions. Image 1 • CO 2 emissions increased with higher levels of inorganic N input. • Increase of organic N attenuated the impacts of N input on N 2 O emissions. • Organic N addition slightly stimulated CH 4 uptake compared to mixed N addition. • Effects of N forms on CO 2 and CH 4 were independent of N addition levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetratricopeptide repeat domain 36 ( Ttc36 ), whose coding protein belongs to tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) motif family, has not been studied extensively. We for the first time showed that Ttc36 is evolutionarily conserved across mammals by bioinformatics. Rabbit anti- mouse Ttc36 polyclonal antibody was generated by injecting synthetic full-length peptides through “antigen intersection” strategy. Subsequently, we characterized Ttc36 expression profile in mouse , showing its expression in liver and kidney both from embryonic day 15.5 (E15.5) until adult, as well as in testis. Immunofluorescence staining showed that Ttc36 is diffusely expressed in liver, however, specifically in kidney cortex. Thus, we further compare Ttc36 with proximal tubules (PT) marker Lotus Tetragonolobus Lectin (LTL) and distal tubules (DT) marker Calbindin-D28k respectively by double immunofluorescence staining. Results showed the co-localization of Ttc36 with LTL rather than Calbindin-D28k. Collectively, on the basis of the expression pattern, Ttc36 is specifically expressed in proximal distal tubules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft rock tunnels with high ground pressure will experience significant deformation of the surrounding rock. In order to improve the stability of soft rock tunnel excavation with significant ground stress, it is essential to study new high-performance tunnel lining materials. This research aims to introduce a new method of one single lining with airbag resistance limiter support to solve large deformation. For the first time, we used a novel energy-absorbing inflatable airbag resistance limiter. The composite structure of "rock + airbag resistance limiter + rigid support" is adopted in this study. In the experimental scheme circular tunnel lining model is divided into two cases: Case 1, rigid support, and Case 2, rigid support with a one-layer airbag resistance limiter. The test results indicate the following; (1) the rigid support with airbag limiter support effectively controls the large deformation of surrounding rock, and the deformation control ability of Case 2 is better than that of Case 1. (2) The contact pressure in both cases increases by imposing load, comparing with Case 2, surrounding rock pressure of Case 1 is greater. (3) The longitudinal strain of the three different sections in Case 2 was significantly reduced compared to the ordinary lining of Case 1. Additionally, the maximum lateral compression strain of Case 2 was significantly reduced to 23.3 % of Case 1. The test results indicate that the rigid support with an airbag resistance limiter support is better than the rigid support without an airbag in terms of crack resistance, stability, effectiveness, and deformation control capability. However, the study results indicate that the proposed method using the new support technology of an inflatable airbag resistance limiter is feasible and effective. The integrity and safety of the resistance limiter are guaranteed, the airbag is easy to obtain, the processing is convenient, and its structure is simple and user-friendly. The airbag resistance limiter is an economical, efficient, and safe supporting structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents both experimental and theoretical analysis of the 4 d 2 D 5 / 2 → 2 D 3 / 2 magnetic dipole transition in Rb-like ions. Spectral lines of Xe 17 + , La 20 + and Pr 22 + ions were recorded using an electron beam ion trap. The theoretical framework employed the fully relativistic Multi-configuration Dirac–Hartree–Fock method, accounting for the Breit interaction, QED effects and comprehensive core-valence correlation. An impressive correlation is observed between the theoretical and experimental findings. Notably, this study illustrates that the contribution of the core-valence correlation, especially concerning deep core subshells, is pivotal for the fine structure splittings. • Spectra of 4 d 2 D 5 / 2 → 2 D 3 / 2 transitions in Xe 17 + , La 20 + and Pr 22 + were observed at a compact EBIT. • An MCDHF FCV model with Breit and QED corrections predicts the energies within high accuracy. • Deep CV correlation effect is significant on the 4 d fine structure splitting in Rb-like ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) inputs can alter the stoichiometry of senesced plant tissues, a key trait controlling nutrient cycling. However, it is unclear how fertilization rate affects plant litter tissue chemistry under varied N:P supply ratios. In a 2-year study, we investigated the effects of N and P supply rates at three N:P input ratios (4:1, 16:1, and 60:1) on the chemical constitution and N:P stoichiometry of the litter of two grasses: Leymus chinensis and Stipa krylovii . We further evaluated the differential responses of chemical constitution and N:P stoichiometry in leaf and culm litter of L. chinensis . Combined N and P fertilization increased soil acidity and plant-available N, but decreased plant-available P, especially when fertilization occurred at N:P ratio = 60:1. Litter N and P concentrations showed positive response to N and P inputs, and N concentration increased with fertilization rate under N:P ratio = 4:1, but P concentration decreased under N:P ratio = 60:1. Furthermore, we found stronger responses of N and P in L. chinensis and culms than in S. krylovii and leaves. Stoichiometric responses became more positive with increasing N and P fertilization level at each ratio. Nitrogen and P inputs also significantly improved potassium, copper, and sodium concentrations in senesced shoots independent of fertilization rates except for sodium at N:P ratio = 16:1, which had weaker responses in L. chinensis and leaves than in S. krylovii and culms. The effects of N and P inputs on other elements were primarily influenced by species and organs, but were also idiosyncratically affected by input levels at each ratio. These results indicate that decreasing evenness of N and P inputs may have increasingly severe non-linear impacts on nutrient cycling and that these impacts will be greater in L. chinensis- dominated ecosystems compared to those dominated by S. krylovii . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urea transporters (UTs) are a family of membrane channel proteins that are specifically permeable to urea and play an important role in intrarenal urea recycling and in urine concentration. Using an erythrocyte osmotic lysis assay, we screened a small-molecule library for inhibitors of UT-facilitated urea transport. A novel class of thienoquinolin UT-B inhibitors were identified, of which PU-14 had potent inhibition activity on human, rabbit, rat, and mouse UT-B. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration of PU-14 on rat UT-B-mediated urea transport was ∼0.8 μmol/l, and it did not affect urea transport in mouse erythrocytes lacking UT-B but inhibited UT-A-type urea transporters, with 36% inhibition at 4 μmol/l. PU-14 showed no significant cellular toxicity at concentrations up to its solubility limit of 80 μmol/l. Subcutaneous delivery of PU-14 (at 12.5, 50, and 100 mg/kg) to rats caused an increase of urine output and a decrease of the urine urea concentration and subsequent osmolality without electrolyte disturbances and liver or renal damages. This suggests that PU-14 has a diuretic effect by urea-selective diuresis. Thus, PU-14 or its analogs might be developed as a new diuretic to increase renal fluid clearance in diseases associated with water retention without causing electrolyte imbalance. PU-14 may establish 'chemical knockout' animal models to study the physiological functions of UTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive use of sloping soil in agriculture can result in loss of soil carbon (C) and stoichiometric imbalances, leading to soil degradation and a reduction in ecosystem services. Therefore, studying the effects of different utilization patterns on soil C stocks and stoichiometry is critical for the sustainable development of agriculture on uneven terrain. Here, we conducted a 7-year field study of cropland with a 10% slope, comparing soil C, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) stocks and ratios between experimental plots of naturally abandoned land and different planting patterns (peanuts, daylily, oil tea planting with bare floor or inter-row coverage of straw, white clover or peanuts). We found that oil tea planting without inter-row coverage significantly lessened soil total C, microbial C and N, soil organic C, dissolved organic C, readily oxidizable C and available N compared with natural abandonment, whereas peanuts showed smaller differences, and daylily planting was most similar to natural abandonment. We also found that most planting patterns exacerbated soil C and P imbalance through the combination of C loss and P addition from fertilization. Our results show that inter-row coverage of straw or white clover can significantly alleviate these adverse influences. The atomic C:N and C:P ratios across all experimental plots were 5.10 ~ 30.5- and 0.675 ~ 8.13-fold lower, respectively, than the median values for Chinese soils, indicating that soil restoration or reasonable utilization has a high C sequestration potential, but it may be limited by P. These results suggest that perennial crops, such as oil tea with intercropping, can be nearly as effective as natural forest succession to reduce soil degradation on sloped farmland. • Oil tea planting significantly reduced soil quality compared to natural abandonment. • Crop planting significantly reduced microbial C compared to natural abandonment. • The inter-row coverage can alleviate the influences of oil tea planting. • Perennial crop with high coverage was a good utilization to reduce soil degradation. • Low soil C:N and C:P ratios reflected a high C sequestration potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]