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Organic-inorganic hybrid nano-material has a significant potential for enhancing the charge separation efficiency of photocatalyst. However, it remains an important issue to controllable synthesis new hybrid system with unique structure and earth-abundant materials for boosting photocatalytic hydrogen revolution. We report a facile one-step hydrothermal strategy to fabricate a novel Titania/β-cyclodextrin (TiO 2 /β-CD) organic-inorganic hybrid nano-material with an alveolate structure. In this hybrid system, β-CD not only played a critical role in alveolate structure formation, but also served as a bridge connecting target molecular and active sites on the TiO 2 surface to facilitate the separation and transfer of the photoexcited electrons with prolonged lifetime. As a result, this alveolate TiO 2 /β-CD composite exhibited outstanding photocatalytic activity and a H 2 evolution rate of 725 μmol/g·h was achieved over TiO 2 /β-CD which was 14 times of bare TiO 2 under simulated sunlight. This work paves a way for controllable synthesis of novel organic-inorganic hybrid nano-material with distinct structure for efficient photocatalysis. Image 1 • A novel alveolate organic-inorganic hybrid has been successfully prepared. • The hybrid composite exhibited outstanding photocatalytic activity. • The H 2 evolution rate of TiO 2 /β-CD has a good durability. • This work paves a way for controllable synthesis of organic-inorganic TiO 2. • Limited reports on the photocatalytic water splitting of the TiO 2 /β-CD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel hybrid structured TiO 2 /Epoxy resin has been prepared by a simple in-situ synthetic method, which was used to enhance alkali-activated slag/fly ash (AASF) geopolymer paste for the first time. The study examined the durability performance of the paste by exposing specimens to two aggressive conditions, including wetting-drying cycles and continuous immersions in phosphoric acid solutions for 90 days. Visual appearances, physical, mechanical properties and microstructures of samples were analysed. Besides, degradation kinetics were monitored by measuring degradation depths. The results indicate that TiO 2 /Epoxy resin composite is able to improve the microstructures and limit the propagation of cracks. It is assumed that the hydroxyl groups of the epoxy resin and the bonded water in the aluminosilicate gel may form hydrogen bonds which make the binder matrix dense and homogeneous. The matrix thus intrinsically has a better fracture behavior with the existence of organic-based TiO 2 /Epoxy resin compared to the inorganic-based aluminosilicate crosslinked networks. The study also revealed that compared to the AASF without the composite addition, TiO 2 /Epoxy resin composited AASF exhibited a lower degradation kinetic regardless of exposure conditions. Therefore, a new direction is developed and recommended to use TiO 2 /Epoxy resin to improve the durability of AASF geopolymer regarding aggressive exposure environments. In addition, the manufacturing of TiO 2 /Epoxy resin composited AASF binder is relatively simple, cost-effective and eco-friendly with low carbon footprint. Image 102280341 • A novel nano-TiO 2 /Epoxy resin composite was prepared and added into a geopolymer paste to enhance its durability. • The TiO 2 /Epoxy resin enhanced geopolymer paste obtained a higher durability than the control paste. • The TiO 2 /Epoxy resin composited geopolymer paste is compact and able to limit the propagations of cracks. • The wetting-drying condition is more aggressive than the continuous exposure condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nocturnal hypokinesia/akinesia and sleep disorder are believed to be common in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but are often underestimated. To date, only a few studies have focused on nocturnal symptoms related to motor function and sleep quality in PD patients, and the assessments were based mainly on the subjective descriptions of the patients. In this study, we assessed the relationships between motor symptoms and sleep quality in 29 PD patients (17 PD patients reporting impaired bed mobility (IBM) and 12 patients without IBM). All the participants were monitored using multisite inertial sensors and polysomnography in sleep-monitoring rooms for whole night. Compared with PD−IBM patients, PD+IBM patients tended to have fewer turning-over episodes and smaller degree turns. Meanwhile, PD+IBM patients had worse Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS) scores, and less total sleep time (TST) than PD−IBM patients. Spearman correlation analyses found that the number of turning-over events showed negative correlations with disease duration (r = −0.378, P  < 0.05) and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) axial scores (r = −0.370, P  < 0.05). Moreover, TST (r = 0.505, p  < 0.05) and sleep efficiency (SE) (r = 0.473, p  < 0.05) positively correlated with the number of turns in bed. Multivariate linear regression analyses showed that UPDRS axial scores and the number of turns were significantly associated with TST (both p  < 0.05). In conclusion, the number of turns in bed and UPDRS axial scores were two significant factors affecting sleep quality. Multisite inertial sensors can be used to quantitatively evaluate nocturnal motor functions in PD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Chinese fir ( Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) plantations are widely grown for timber production in southern China, they have low biodiversity and provide limited ecosystem services. To address this problem, C. lanceolata are increasingly mixed with broadleaf Schima superba Gardn. & Champ. (Theaceae). The success of these mixed plantations relies on introducing each species in the appropriate sequence, which requires understanding how tree species respond to light variations. We therefore compared S. superba and C. lanceolata seedling light tolerance in shaded houses under five light gradients (5%, 15%, 40%, 60%, and 100% sunlight). Our findings showed that S. superba seedlings exhibited greater net height increment (ΔHt), net diameter growth (ΔDia), leaf area, root mass, stem mass, leaf mass, and total mass under low light conditions (15% sunlight). However, as sunlight increased, these growth variables became higher in C. lanceolata seedlings. With more sunlight, both species experienced a drop in height to diameter ratio (HDR), and specific leaf area (SLA), but an elevated root to shoot ratio. Additionally, under the same light levels, S. superba seedlings exhibited greater leaf area and root to shoot ratio than C. lanceolata seedlings. Our results suggested that S. superba might be more suitable for underplanting beneath a heavy canopy due to its shade-tolerant traits. In contrast, C. lanceolata was less shade-tolerant, having an optimum seedling growth under full sunlight. These findings suggest that underplanting S. superba seedlings in C. lanceolata monoculture plantation (i.e., underplanting regeneration approach) could be a better silvicultural alternative than simultaneously planting both seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional kinesin (kinesin-1) can walk on microtubule filaments in an asymmetric hand-over-hand manner, exhibiting a marked alternation in the mean dwell time in successive steps. Here, we study computationally the asymmetric stepping dynamics of the kinesin-1 homodimer, revealing its origin and providing quantitative explanations of the available experimental data. The alternation in the mean dwell time in successive steps arises from the alternation in the mechanochemical coupling ratio, which is in turn caused by the alternation in the slight variation of the stretched neck linker length. Both the vertical and backward longitudinal forces can enhance the asymmetric ratio. Additionally, other aspects of the stepping dynamics of the dimer such as the velocity versus longitudinal force, extended neck linker, etc., are also studied. In particular, the conflicting experimental data, with some showing that the velocity does not change with the forward longitudinal load while others showing that the velocity increases largely with the forward longitudinal load, are explained quantitatively and consistently. The intriguing experimental data showing that cysteine-light Drosophila and human kinesin-1 mutants have different load-dependent velocity from the wild-type cases as well as that kinesin-2 dimers have different load-dependent velocity from the kinesin-1 are also explained consistently and quantitatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the main traction force of electric vehicles (EVs), the overall efficiency of inverter-motor in traction system can seriously affect the energy consumption of EVs. In this paper, a novel hybrid methodology based on loss model and golden section search is proposed. Firstly, the iron loss, copper loss and stray loss of motor, combined with conduction loss and switching loss of inverter, are modeling. And the models of losses are validated by an experiment. Secondly, two efficiency improvement methodologies are investigated, namely loss model strategy and gold section search strategy. Then, a hybrid efficiency optimization control strategy is proposed based on losses model of the inverter-motor system and the two conventional methods, which yields a high efficiency operation point of inverter-motor system during different loads. Additionally, such novel methodology manifests faster search speed and more search accuracy than the conventional methods. Finally, an experiment results validates the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid control strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, large amplitude Fourier transformed alternating current (FTAC) voltammetry has been used to determine the heterogeneous electron - transfer kinetics ( k ° and α values) associated with the vanadium [SVW 11 O 40 ] 3−/4− (V V/IV , E ° = 0.050 V vs. Fc/Fc + , where Fc = ferrocene) and tungsten [SVW 11 O 40 ] 4−/5− (W VI/V , E ° = −1.530 V vs. Fc/Fc + ) processes in dimethylformamide containing tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate as the supporting electrolyte. At glassy carbon (GC), platinum (Pt), gold (Au) and boron-doped diamond (BDD), the V V/IV process is kinetically more facile than the W VI/V one. Excellent simulation-experiment fits were achieved for the V V/IV process at all electrode materials, and at a supporting electrolyte concentration of 0.1 M, the k ° value associated with this process increases in the order BDD < Pt ≈ Au < GC. By contrast, at all electrode materials except GC, generally poor simulation-experiment fits were achieved for the W VI/V process, preventing the data from being analysed quantitatively by FTAC voltammetry. Changing the concentration of supporting electrolyte from 0.1 to 0.5 M has a significant influence on the kinetics, with the k ° value increasing at GC and decreasing at Pt, Au and BDD. Overall, the findings indicate that differences in density of states do not fully explain the electrode material dependence of the k ° values and that other factors such as surface functional groups (on GC) and the double layer effect need to be taken into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Pyruvate can reduce lipid peroxidation, which plays a critical role in organ injury, in various models. However, it is not fully understood if this inhibition occurs in resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock (HS). This study examines effects of pyruvate Ringer solution (PR) in this respect in rats.Methods: Rats, subjected to 45% blood loss, were randomly allocated to the 3 groups (n = 18): HS with no fluid resuscitation (group NR), HS resuscitated with lactated Ringer solution (LR) (group LR), and HS resuscitated with PR (group PR). Mean arterial pressure, plasma levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and superoxide dismutase were measured at various time points until 360 minutes after hemorrhage. Visceral organs were harvested at the end for evaluations of the TBARS, antioxidant enzyme, and tissue water content. Other 54 rats with identical procedures without sampling were documented for 24-hour survival rates (n = 18) after fluid resuscitation.Results: Pyruvate Ringer solution significantly increased mean arterial pressure and decreased blood TBARS levels after lethal HS. It also reduced TBARS concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activities but significantly enhanced glutathione reductase activities in most organs and greatly improved the ratios of reduced glutathione over oxidized glutathione in various organs in group PR, compared to group LR. Furthermore, PR significantly improved various organ function and water contents relative to LR. Group PR showed a more than 2-fold higher 24-hour survival rate of group LR.Conclusions: Pyruvate Ringer solution alleviated organ edema and injury and prompted survival partially through inhibition of lipid peroxidation in various organs in severe HS rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • MO seeds effectively attenuate renal injury of DN. • MO seeds could exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathways. • MO seeds could exert anti-fibrosi effects by inhibiting the activation of the TGFβ1/Smad2/3 signaling pathways. • MO seeds could exert anti-oxidative effects by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways. The seeds of Moringa oleifera Lam (MO) in India have various biological properties, such as anti-hyperglycemia, anti-fibrosis, and anti-oxidant. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious complications in diabetes mellitus. However, the mechanism of renal protection of MO seeds in DN is unclear. In this study, the DN rat model was generated by a single streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneal injection, which was used to explore the renal dysfunction effects of MO seeds. Pathological examination of diabetic kidney exhibited a significant change in glomerular and tubular structures. MO seeds treatment in DN rats attenuated these changes dose-dependently. MO seeds could exert anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrosis and anti-oxidative effects by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB and TGFβ1/Smad2/3 signaling pathways, and activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, finally effectively attenuate renal injury of DN. And 4000 mg/kg MO seeds have the similar level of therapeutic effect as clinical doses of metformin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental investigation was performed to evaluate convective condensation and evaporation of R22, R32 and R410A inside a smooth tube (inner diameter 11.43 mm), a herringbone tube (fin root diameter 11.43 mm) and a newly developed enhanced surface EHT tube (inner diameter 11.5 mm) at low mass fluxes. The inner surface of the EHT tube is enhanced by dimple/protrusion and secondary petal arrays. For condensation, the heat transfer coefficient of the herringbone tube is 2.0–3.0 times larger than a smooth tube and the EHT tube is 1.3–1.95 times that of the smooth tube. The heat transfer enhancement ratios of the herringbone tube and the EHT tube are larger than their respective inner surface area ratios. Mass flux has a non-monotonic relation with the condensation heat transfer coefficient in the herringbone microfin tubes; this was especially evident for R32 and R410A. For evaporation, the EHT tube provides the best evaporation heat transfer performance for all the three refrigerants; this is mainly due to the heat transfer enhancement produced from the larger number of nucleation sites, increased interfacial turbulence, boundary layer disruption, flow separation and secondary flow generation caused by the dimple and petal arrays. The evaporation heat transfer coefficient of the herringbone tube is only slightly higher than that of the smooth tube. Overall, the EHT tube provides increased heat transfer enhancement for both condensation and evaporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A versatile one-step method is developed for the fabrication of shape-controlled mesoporous titanium phosphate with different crystal structures. The drastic morphological change of mesoporous titanium phosphate from fibrous shape to near hexagonal shape is obtained by simply adjusting the concentration of phosphoric acid. Unexpectedly, it is discovered for the first time that hexagonal titanium phosphate is capable of enhanced hydrogen evolution from solar water splitting. Based on our in-depth mechanistic analysis, the enhanced performance of this material is attributed to its abundant hydroxyl groups, 2-D layered structure, large specific surface area and amounts of exchangeable protons. This encouraging result discovers a new heterogeneous catalyst for hydrogen production from water splitting and could open up a new direction in 2-D nanostructured photocatalysts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Four cobalt phosphonate coordination polymers Co[(CH3PO3)(H2O)] (1), Co[(C2H5PO3)(H2O)] (2), Co[(C4H9PO3)(H2O)] (3) and Co[(C6H5PO3)(H2O)] (4) have been synthesized using a hydrothermal method. Their crystal structures have been characterized by X-ray diffraction and all exhibit two-dimensional polymer structures. The water oxidation catalytic activities of these polymers have been studied for the first time using electrochemical methods in both aqueous solutions and water-saturated [BMIM][PF6] ionic liquid (BMIM=1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium). The results reveal that these polymers are able to catalyze water oxidation in aqueous media but are not fully stable in this environment. However, they are more stable and retain significant catalytic activity towards water oxidation in water-saturated [BMIM][PF6] and addition of a buffer is not required. The catalytic activity decreases in the sequence of 1 > 2 > 3 > 4. Consequently, water-saturated [BMIM][PF6] provides a good medium for catalytic water oxidation with this type of coordination polymer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introgression line population is effectively used in mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs), identifying favorable genes, discovering hidden genetic variation, evaluating the action or interaction of QTLs in multiple conditions and providing the favorable experimental materials for plant breeding and genetic research. In this study, an advanced backcross and consecutive selfing strategy was used to develop introgression lines (ILs), which derived from an accession of Oryza minuta (accession No. 101133) with BBCC genome, as the donor, and an elite indica cultivar IR24 (O. sativa), as the recipient. Introgression segments from O. minuta were screened using 164 polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in the genome of each IL. Introgressed segments carried by 131 ILs covered the whole O. sativa genome. The average number of homozygous O. minuta segments per introgression line was about 9.99. The average length of introgressed segments was approximate 14.78 cM, and about 79.64% of these segments had sizes less than 20 cM. In the genome of each introgression line, the O. minuta chromosomal segments harbored chromosomal fragments of O. sativa ranging from 1.15% to 27.6%, with an overall average of 8.57%. At each locus, the ratio of substitution of O. minuta alleles had a range of 1.5%–25.2%, with an average of 8.3%. Based on the evaluation of the phenotype of these ILs, a wide range of alterations in morphological and yield-related traits were found. After inoculation, ILs 41, 11 and 7 showed high resistance to bacterial blight, brown planthopper and whitebacked planthopper, respectively. These O. minuta-O. sativa ILs will serve as genetic materials for identifying and using favorable genes from O. minuta. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), which is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Emerging evidence indicates that both prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and adenosine play important roles in immune inflammation although the mechanism remains unclear. In the study, we examined individual and combined effect of PGE2 and adenosine during EAE development. The results showed that both PGE2 and adenosine could inhibit EAE progression and they in combination showed substantially higher inhibition than each modality used alone. On the other hand, using specific agonists or antagonists for PGE2 and adenosine receptors indicated that the suppression of EAE development was mainly mediated by EP4 and A2A receptors. Furthermore, combined PGE2 and adenosine treatment significantly suppressed the production of IFN-γ and IL-17 via EP4 and A2A receptors. Taken together, PGE2 and adenosine in combination could protect EAE mouse from serious EAE through limiting the over-reactive effects of T cells via EP4 and A2A receptors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The putative platinum(IV) anticancer drugs, [Pt{((R)NCH2)2}(py)2XY] (X,Y=Cl, R= p-HC6F4 (1a), C6F5 (1b); X,Y=OH, R= p-HC6F4 (2); X=Cl, Y=OH, R= p-HC6F4 (3), py = pyridine) have been prepared by oxidation of the PtII anticancer drugs [Pt{((R)NCH2)2}(py)2] (R= p-HC6F4 (4a) or C6F5 (4b)) with PhICl2 (1a,b), H2O2 (2) and PhICl2/Bu4NOH (3). NMR spectroscopy and the X-ray crystal structures of 1b, 2 and 3 show that they have octahedral stereochemistry with the X,Y ligands in the trans-position. The net two electron electrochemical reduction of 1a, 2 and 3 has been studied by voltammetric, spectroelectrochemical and bulk electrolysis techniques in acetonitrile. NMR and other data reveal that reduction of 1a gives pure 4a via the elimination of both axial chloride ligands. In the case of 2, one end of the diamide ligand is protonated and the resulting –NH(p-HC6F4) group dissociated giving a [Pt{N(p-HC6F4)CH2CH2NH(p-HC6F4)}] arrangement, one pyridine ligand is lost and a hydroxide ion retained in the coordination sphere. Intriguingly, in the case of reduction of 3, a 50% mixture of the reduction products of pure 1a and 2 is formed. The relative ease of reduction is 1 > 3 > 2. Testing of 1a, 2 and 3 against L1210 and L1210(DDP) (DDP = cis-diamine-dichloroplatinum(II)) mouse leukaemia cells shows all to be cytotoxic with IC50 values of 1.0–3.5μM. 2 and 3 are active in vivo against AHDJ/PC6 tumor line when delivered in peanut oil despite being hard to reduce electrochemically, and notably are more active than 4a delivered in this medium whilst comparable with 4a delivered in saline/Tween. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: The main pathogenesis of acute lung injury induced by haemorrhagic shock is inflammation. BML-111, a lipoxinA4-receptor agonist, promotes acute inflammatory resolution. We sought to elucidate whether BML-111 protects haemorrhagic shock-induced acute lung injury in rats. Methods: Thirty two adult male rats were randomized to sham group (sham), haemorrhagic shock/resuscitation (HS), HS plus BML-111 (BML-111), and HS plus BML-111 and BOC-2 (BOC-2). Haemorrhagic shock was induced by blood drawing, and then resuscitation was obtained by infusion of shed blood and two-fold volume saline. Results: Histological findings, as well as assays of neutrophilic infiltration (myeloperoxidase activity, ICAM-1 expression), inflammatory cytokines and pro-inflammatory factor (IκB-α and NF-κB p65) confirmed that haemorrhagic shock induced acute lung injury. BML-111 significantly mitigated acute lung injury induced by haemorrhagic shock. However, BOC-2, an antagonist of the lipoxinA4-receptor, partially reversed the protective effect of BML-111 on the haemorrhagic shock-induced the acute lung injury. Conclusion: BML-111 protects haemorrhagic shock-induced acute lung injury in rats. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Tuberculosis is a human disease caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. M. tuberculosis (Mtb) is a facultative intracellular pathogen. The alveolar macrophages provide a critical niche for the intracellular pathogen. It has been shown that virulent strains mycobacteria (Mtb-H37Rv, Mycobacterium bovis) induce less apoptosis in host macrophage than avirulent mycobacteria strains (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin, H37Ra). Comparative genomics analysis has revealed that the region of difference (RD1) of M. tuberculosis is absent from all strains of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). On the contrary, it presents in all virulent strains of M. tuberculosis and M. bovis. The culture filtrate protein 10 (CFP10) and early secretory antigenic target protein 6 (ESAT6) are encoded by RD1 genes Rv3874 and Rv3875, respectively. Recent studies indicated that the CFP10 and ESAT6 played an important role in M. tuberculosis virulence. It has been shown that incorporation of the RD1 region into BCG to restore the expression of CFP10 and ESAT6 leads to increasing the virulence and immunogenicity of bacterium. On the contrary, deletion of the genes encoding CFP10 and ESAT6 from the virulent M. bovis strain results in attenuation of virulence. Meanwhile, several studies showed that CFP10 and ESAT6 could inhibit and/or promote the production of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) from macrophages. Furthermore, TNF-α can induce apoptosis and necrosis of infected macrophages in tuberculosis. Considering above results, we hypothesize that the CFP10 and ESAT6 may be involved in the virulence of Mycobacterium through modulating macrophage cell death. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]