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Photocatalytic technology is a unique method of treating energy crisis and environmental concern. Herein, Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were employed to prepare a series of visible light responsive MoS 2 /CdS heterojunction photocatalysts by facile low-temperature hydrothermal sulfurization. The structural analysis revealed that the prepared MoS 2 /CdS heterojunction exhibited highly porous structure and the intimate interface was formed between the MoS 2 and CdS. For these structure features, the charge separation and transfer were significantly improved, and the MoS 2 /CdS heterojunction presented efficient photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen evolution and degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) and tetracycline hydrochloride (TC). The highest H 2 evolution rate (3318 μmol h−1 g−1) was found at the 5 wt%-MoS 2 /CdS, which were 10 times and 6 times of pristine MoS 2 and CdS, respectively. In particular, the 5 wt%-MoS 2 /CdS can also remove 95% RhB and 90% TC within 40 min. Moreover, the MoS 2 /CdS heterojunction showed good photocatalytic stability for hydrogen evolution and degradation of RhB and TC. Furthermore, the radical trapping experiment revealed that the photogenerated · O 2 − played critical role in RhB degradation and the hole (h+) and · O 2 − were essential for TC degradation. The work will provide a guidance for rational design and facile preparation of photocatalyst for the visible light-driven hydrogen evolution and elimination of organic pollutants. [Display omitted] • MoS 2 /CdS heterojunction were synthesized by facile hydrothermal sulfurization method. • MoS 2 /CdS heterojunction exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance and stability. • MoS 2 /CdS heterojunction possessed porous structure and specific large surface area. • Photocatalytic mechanism of MoS 2 /CdS heterojunction were further studied in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) are closely related to the deterioration of enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems. However, the metabolic mechanisms that drive GAOs remain unclear. Here, the two-thirds supernatant of a reactor were decanted following the anaerobic period to enrich GAOs. Long-term monitoring demonstrated that the system was stable and exhibited typical characteristics of GAOs metabolism. Acetate was completely consumed after 60 min of the anaerobic phase. The level of glycogen decreased from 0.20 to 0.14 g/gSS during the anaerobic phase, whereas the level of glycogen significantly increased to 0.21g/gSS at the end of the aerobic period. Moreover, there was almost no phosphate release and absorption in the complete periods, thus confirming the successful construction of a GAOs enrichment system. Microbial community analysis demonstrated that Ca. Contendobacter was among the core functional genera and showed the highest activity among all of the communities. Furthermore, our study is the first to identify the involvement of the ethyl-malonyl-CoA pathway in the synthesis of polyhydroxyvalerate via croR, ccr, ecm, mcd, mch and mcl genes. The Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway was preferentially used via glgP. Furthermore, the glyoxylate cycle was the main source of ATP under anaerobic conditions, whereas the tricarboxylic acid cycle provided ATP under aerobic conditions. aceA and mdh appeared to be major modulators of the glyoxylate pathway for controlling energy flow. Collectively, our findings not only revealed the crucial metabolic mechanisms in a GAOs enrichment system but also provided insights into the potential application of Ca. Contendobacter for wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial development is an essential foundation of the national economy, but the industry is also the largest source of air pollution, of which power plants, iron and steel, building materials, and other industries emit large amounts of pollutants. Therefore, the Chinese government has promulgated a series of stringent emission regulations, and it is against this backdrop that research into air pollution control technologies for key industrial sectors is in full swing. In particular, during the 13th Five-Year Plan, breakthroughs have been made in pollution control technology for key industrial sectors. A multi-pollutant treatment technology system of desulfurization, denitrification, and dust collection, which applies to key industries such as power plants, steel, and building materials, has been developed. High-performance materials for the treatment of different pollutants, such as denitrification catalysts and desulfurization absorbers, were developed. At the same time, multi-pollutant synergistic removal technologies for flue gas in various industries have also become a hot research topic, with important breakthroughs in the synergistic removal of NO x , SO x , and Hg. Due to the increasingly stringent emission standards and regulations in China, there is still a need to work on the development of multi-pollutant synergistic technologies and further research and development of synergistic abatement technologies for CO 2 to meet the requirements of ultra-low emissions in industrial sectors. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vessel emissions have contributed a great deal to air quality deterioration in China. Hence, the Chinese government has promulgated a series of stringent emission regulations. It is in this context that vessel emission control technology research is in full swing. In particular, during the 13th Five-Year Plan, the air pollution control technology of vessels has greatly improved. Vessel emission control has followed two main governance routes: source emission reduction and aftertreatment technology. Source control focuses on alternative fuels, with two main directions, the development of new fuels and the modification of existing fuels. Moreover, after-treatment technologies have also been developed, including wet desulfurization technology using seawater or alkaline liquids as wet washing liquids and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) for the control of NO x emission. Due to China's increasingly stringent emissions standards and regulations, work on the development of clean alternative fuels and further upgrading the collaborative application of after-treatment technologies to meet the near-zero-emissions requirements of vessels is still necessary. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the average cluster synchronization control problem of networked harmonic oscillators under denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Different from some existing DoS attack models that often necessitate specific statistical characteristics, only the worse-case duration bound of the DoS attacks is required during the control design procedure, which represents the least a priori knowledge of realistic DoS attacks. Then, a novel switching cluster synchronization control scheme, which leverages a position-based feedback control protocol under a non-small delay and a position velocity-based feedback control protocol with a small delay, is developed such that the above two control protocols are selected based on the occurrence of the DoS attacks. Via formulating the resultant synchronization system as a switched time-delay system, a complete-type Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF) method is further proposed to establish sufficient controller design criteria associated with the duration and frequency of attacks for both synchronous and asynchronous DoS attacks among clusters. Furthermore, an iterative algorithm is designed to calculate the control gain matrices by solving a set of nonlinear matrix inequalities (NLMIs). Finally, a multi-vehicle cooperative control system is presented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed control scheme. • A small delayed velocity/non-small delayed position switch control scheme is designed. • Only an upper bound of duration is used to depict the limited energy of DoS attack. • An iterative control design algorithm without imposing extra constraint is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronicautoimmune disease, marked by joint swelling and pain, articular synovial hyperplasia, as well as cartilage and bone destruction. Triptolide (TP) is an anti-inflammatory molecule but its use to treat RA is limited due to poor solubility and extremely high toxicity. In this study, by encapsulating TP into a star-shaped amphiphilic block copolymer, POSS-PCL-b-PDMAEMA, we engineered a pH-sensitive TP-loaded nanomedicine (TP@NPs) to simultaneously reduce the toxicity of TP and improve its therapeutic efficacy. TP@NPs shows a uniform spherical structure with a hydrodynamic diameter of ~92 nm and notable pH-responsiveness. In vitro TP@NPs showed reduced cytotoxicity and cell apoptosis of treated RAW264.7 cells compared to free TP. And in vivo intravenous injection of indocyanine green-labeled NPs into a collagen-induced arthritis model in mice showed that the engineered compound had potent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles, while exhibiting significant cartilage-protective and anti-inflammatory effects with a better efficacy and neglible systemic toxicity even at an ultralow dose compared to free TP. These results suggest that TP@NPs may be a safe and effective therapy for RA and other autoimmune diseases. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Yb 2 SiO 5 /mullite/Si tri-layer environmental-barrier-coating (EBC) were coated on SiC f /SiC substrates via Air Plasma Spraying (APS). The thermal cycle tests (TCT) were conducted under thermal corrosive condition of vapor-oxygen (50 vol% H 2 O and 50 vol% O 2) with thermal shock from 1200 °C to 200 °C. Microstructures, weight loss and bonding strength of the samples were systemically investigated after 101, 396, 606 and 700 TCT cycles respectively. The results show that the corner of the tri-layer coating peel off from the sample with weight loss of 1.3% after 700 TCT cycles. The bonding strength between substrate and tri-layer coatings gradually decreases to 6.79 MPa (approximately 55.2% of virgin specimens) after 700 cycles due to thermal shock induced cracks distributed horizontally within Si layers and between Si layer and outer layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To systematically investigate chromosomal abnormalities and copy number variants (CNVs) in fetuses with different types of ventriculomegaly (VM) by karyotyping and/or chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA). This retrospective study included 312 fetuses diagnosed with VM. Amniotic fluid and umbilical blood samples were collected by amniocentesis and cordocentesis, respectively, and subjected to karyotyping and/or CMA. Subgroup analysis by VM type, including mild VM (MVM) and severe VM (SVM), unilateral and bilateral VM, isolated VM (IVM), and non-isolated VM (NIVM), was performed. The detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities was 12.1% (34/281) by karyotyping and 20.6% when CMA was additionally performed (P < 0.05). Abnormalities were identified by CMA in 17.4% (38/218) of fetuses and pathogenic CNVs in 5.0% (11/218). Notably, CMA detected CNVs in 10.6% (23/218) of fetuses with normal karyotypes. The incidence of chromosomal abnormalities by karyotyping was higher in bilateral than in unilateral VM (20.5% versus 6.5%), whereas the incidence detected by CMA was higher in NIVM than in IVM (21.4% versus 10.3%; both P < 0.05). In NIVM, CMA provided an additional detection rate of 11.4% (16/140) and a detection rate of 10.0% for pathogenic CNVs and aneuploidies. Central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities were the most common other ultrasonic abnormalities. CMA is highly recommended for prenatal diagnosis of fetal VM together with karyotyping, especially in fetuses with bilateral VM and NIVM with abnormal CNS findings. Further study is necessary to explore the relationships between genotypes and phenotypes to facilitate prenatal diagnosis of fetal VM. • Chromosome abnormalities and CNVs in various fetal VM types were investigated. • CMA improved karyotyping detection rate in bilateral and NIVM with CNS abnormality. • CMA enhanced CNVs diagnostic yield by 10.6% in fetuses with normal karyotypes. • Several deletions or duplications in fetal VM lead to neurodevelopmental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to perform a survival analysis of patients with multicentric low-grade gliomas (MLGGs) and to assess the influence of various prognostic factors on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival. A literature search on Web of Science and PubMed was performed for literature in English published from 1963 to September 2018. Detailed information including demographics, clinical characteristics, treatments, critical events, and time to events for survival analysis were extracted from the included articles. A total of 36 cases from published articles were selected for analysis. Univariate analysis showed that age (<31 years or ≥31 years), grade (pure low grade/low and high grade) and glioma type (astrocytoma/oligodendroglioma) had a significant relationship with PFS. Cox regression analysis showed that tumor grade was an independent prognostic factor for PFS. No factors correlated with overall survival. This integrative analysis of MLGGs patients revealed that age younger than 31 years, pure MLGG, and oligodendroglioma were significantly associated with improved PFS, and pure MLGGs was an independent prognostic factors for PFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employing physical manipulation in macroscopic manner to achieve fine-tuning of solid mutiple-component interface and then improving of corresponding catalytic efficiency was still highly desirable but challengeable topic in design of advanced heterogeneous catalysts. Herein, a physical CO 2 gas-intermediate pore-expanding strategy was deliberately integrated in the preparation of Mn-MOF precursor to facilitate the incorporation of Sm, which was employed to obtain derived Sm/MnO x catalyst with fine-tuned catalytic interface for NH 3 -Selective Catalytic Reduction (NH 3 -SCR) of NO x. Based on in-situ DRIFT analyses, DFT calculations was integrated to image that more sites exposed on the compact Sm-O-Mn interface would greatly lower the adsorption energies (Eads) for reactant and reaction intermediate. On such fine-tuned Sm-O-Mn interface, a distinct catalytic performance for NH 3 -SCR of NO x with 95% conversion was achieved at ultra-low temperature of 50 °C, which could be ranged in the best level compared to literature reports. [Display omitted] • The as-synthesized catalyst achieved the best ultra-low temperature catalytic activity so far. • The catalyst achieved 95% NO conversion at 50 °C. • CO 2 expansion method generated more bimetallic interfaces of catalyst. • The activation of NO by Sm-O-Mn interface was confirmed by in situ DRIFT analyses. • DFT calculation indicate that Sm enhanced the sample adsorption capacity of NO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Achieving low energy consumption and maintaining proper day-lighting environment is a challenge for large atrium building under cooling-dominant climates. Fortunately, aerogel glazing system has recently been considered to have great potential in energy-saving applications for architectural glass due to its special light transmission and thermal insulation properties. In this paper, eight aerogel glazing samples were prepared by filling aerogel particles with four different diameters into hollow glass with two different thicknesses (viz., 5 mm and 7.5 mm). The thermal and optical parameters of the aerogel glazing were experimentally measured and the day-lighting performance was calculated. A case study of the aerogel glazing installing at different positions in a large atrium building under cooling-dominant climates was carried out. The results indicate that installing aerogel glazing at the skylight with is more effective than at the outside windows. The envelope heat gain was reduced by 31% by replacing the single glazing with the HA-type aerogel glazing at skylight under the condition of indoor illumination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sodium channel epithelial 1 subunit gamma (SCNN1G) is mainly responsible for sodium entry and absorption. The dysfunction of SCNN1G has been widely studied in kidney-related diseases and chronic heart failure. However, its role in cancer remains unclear. Here, we found that SCNN1G was aberrantly downregulated in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) tissues, which showed an efficifent diagnostic value according to the ROC curve analysis. The lower expression of SCNN1G was significantly correlated with lymphatic metastasis and a worse outcome of HNSCC patients. Ectopic overexpressing SCNN1G inhibited the invasive and migratory abilities of HNSCC cells, while knocking down SCNN1G showed an opposite effect. A positive correlation between SCNN1G and CDH1 expression was observed, which suggested that SCNN1G might impede HNSCC metastasis via strengthing cell-cell adherin. In addition, RAS signaling and ion channel transport signaling were enriched by SCNN1G in HNSCC using GSEA analysis, indicating that these signaling pathways might be the underlying mechanisms for SCNN1G as well. In addition, six sorts of immune infiltrate subtype cells were associated with SCNN1G expression. Our findings support that SCNN1G inactivation contributes to the metastasis of HNSCC. SCNN1G could serves as a valuable diagnostic and prognostic marker for HNSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two-dimensional binary boride monolayers featuring B 4 tetrahedrons were proposed and studied by means of first-principles calculations. • The designed binary nanosheets exhibit extraordinary stability in terms of thermodynamic, dynamical, mechanical and thermal aspects. • The B 4 N 2 monolayer is very promising as an efficient phototcatalyst for water splitting in alkaline media. • The B 4 P 2 monolayer is a stable metal. Two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride (h -BN) is an insulator with polar covalent B−N bonds. Based on current research on boron-nitrogen 2D materials and the cluster assembling method, here, we designed five novel monolayers with square lattice formed by tetrahedral B 4 units covalently linked to V-group atoms, namely the B 4 N 2 , B 4 P 2 , B 4 As 2 , B 4 Sb 2 , and B 4 Bi 2 monolayers, via first-principles calculations. Both the B 4 N 2 and B 4 P 2 have good stability, as demonstrated by high cohesive energies, all positive phonon modes, high in-plane Young's modulus and structural integrity through 5 ps's molecular dynamics simulations at both 300 and 500 K. Moreover, the B 4 P 2 monolayer exhibits metallic properties, whereas the B 4 N 2 monolayer is an indirect bandgap semiconductor with the bandgap of 2.56 eV and appropriate band edge positions, the optical adsorption in UV light region, and high electron mobility for photocatalytic water splitting. Our theoretical study adds new members of 2D boron nitrides (B 4 N 2), which can be used as an efficient photocatalyst for water splitting. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A water-soluble exopolysaccharide (EPS) was produced by Leuconostoc ctireum NM105 from homemade manchurian sauerkraut. After culturing the strain in Man–Rogosa–Sharpe medium containing 5% sucrose at 25 °C for 48 h, the EPS was purified and a yield of 23.5 g/L was achieved. The EPS consisted exclusively of glucose and the weight-average molecular weight was 1.01 × 10 8 Da. The structural characterization of the purified EPS determined by FT-IR, 1 H, 13 C and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy demonstrated that the glucan contained α-(1 → 6)-linked d -glucopyranose units, 2,6-linked d -glucopyranose units and terminal α- d -glucopyranose units at a ratio of 1:1:1. The microstructure of the dried dextran appeared a sheet-like smooth glittering and highly branched surface. The NM105 dextran showed high water solubility and excellent water retention. All the results suggested that the highly α-(1 → 2) branched dextran might have the potential to serve as valuable polymers applied in foods, cosmetics and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new series of fluoro-pegylated benzyloxybenzenes were designed, synthesized and evaluated as PET probes for early detection of A β plaques. Molecular docking revealed that all of the flexible benzyloxybenzenes inserted themselves into the hydrophobic Val18_Phe20 cleft on the flat spine of the A β fiber, in a manner similar to that of IMPY molecule. The most potent probe, [ 18 F] 9a , exhibited a combination of high binding affinity to A β aggregates ( K i = 21.0 ± 4.9 nM), high initial brain uptake (9.14% ID/g at 2 min), fast clearance from normal brain tissue (1.79% ID/g at 60 min), and satisfactory in vivo biostability in the brain (95% of intact form at 2 min). [ 18 F] 9a clearly labeled A β plaques in in vitro autoradiography of postmortem AD patients and Tg mice brain sections. Ex vivo autoradiography further demonstrated that [ 18 F] 9a did penetrate the intact BBB and specifically bind to A β plaques in vivo . Overall, [ 18 F] 9a may be a potential PET probe for imaging A β plaques in AD brains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The estuarine tapertail anchovy, Coilia nasus , is an anadromous fish that undertakes over a 600-km spawning migration along the Yangtze River of China. They generally cease feeding during this process, but we recently documented that a small proportion of them appear to feed. Research on proteomic responses is essential for understanding the phenomenon of C. nasus feeding. In this study, we used an iTRAQ-based proteomics approach to study the changes in protein expression in response to food intake in C. nasus following voluntary fasting. Coilia nasus in the feeding group (CSI) were fed shrimp or small fish, whereas those in the control group (CSN) were starved. We identified 3279 proteins in the gastric tissue/stomach, of which 279 were significantly differentially expressed. In all, 133 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were upregulated and 146 proteins were downregulated in CSI compared with those in CSN C. nasus. In addition to gastric acid secretion caused by gastric distention, a functional analysis suggested that a series of DEPs were involved mainly in the regulation of protein digestion (e.g., carboxypeptidase A1 and chymotrypsin A-like), immune response (e.g., lysozyme and alpha 2-macroglobulin), and nutrition metabolism (e.g., glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycogenin, long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase, and creatine kinase). Real-time PCR confirmed that the mRNA levels of the DEPs were similar those obtained using iTRAQ. These results indicate that the nutrients obtained through food were effectively utilized by C. nasus , thereby providing energy for swimming, gonadal maturation, primary metabolism, and an enhanced immune function to better resist pathogen interference. This research contributes to the elucidation of nutritional regulation mechanisms of C. nasus to better protect the wild population. [Display omitted] • A comprehensive iTRAQ-based proteome of the stomachs of C. nasus was obtained. • A large number of DEPs related to nutrition metabolism were identified. • Some key proteins related to immune response were differentially expressed. • Fatty acid β-oxidation provides energy for spawning migration and gonadal development of C. nasus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During pregnancy, owing to several physiological and psychological changes, the perception of heat by pregnant women changes, leading to them having different heat requirements. In this study, our objective was to determine the differences in the thermal perceptions of pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy (i.e., first, second, and third trimesters). Thus, we conducted an environmental parameter test on the obstetrics waiting rooms of four hospitals in Guangzhou and also administered a questionnaire survey to the waiting pregnant women. A total of 1043 questionnaires were collected during the survey (723 and 302 in summer and winter, respectively), after which the collected data was processed and statistically analyzed. Our results showed that with pregnancy development, the clothing resistance of pregnant women decreased, while their thermal sensation vote increased. Further, the mean neutral operative temperature values for the pregnant women in summer were 26.8, 25.2, and 24.1 °C, and in winter were 20.9, 19.6, and 18.9 °C during the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively. Furthermore, their preferred operative temperature values in summer were 25.8, 24.6, and 23.1 °C and in winter were 24.3, 24.0, and 22.8 °C during the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively. Thus, our results indicated that the perception of heat by pregnant women is dynamic, and increases with the development of pregnancy. These findings have guiding significance with respect to controlling the environment of the obstetrics waiting environments. • The thermal preferences of pregnant women at different stages were investigated. • The pregnant women showed decreased clothing resistance with pregnancy evolution. • Their neutral operative temperature also decreased with pregnancy evolution. • The women preferred cool and warm environments in summer and winter, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 17α-methyltestosterone (MT), a synthetic androgen, is known for its interference effects on the endocrine system. Aiming to investigate the transcriptome profiling of gonads induced by MT and to understand the molecular mechanism by which MT causes adverse effects in fish, transcriptome profiling of gonads, gonadal histology and the sex steroid hormones in response to MT were analyzed in Gobiocypris rarus . Eight libraries, 4 from the ovary and 4 from the testis, were constructed and sequenced and then a total number of clean reads per sample ranging from 7.03 to 9.99 million were obtained. In females, a total of 191 transcripts were differentially regulated by MT, consisting of 102 up-regulated transcripts and 89 down-regulated transcripts. In males, 268 differentially expressed genes with 108 up-regulated and 160 down-regulated were detected upon MT exposure. Testosterone serves as the major sex steroid hormone content in G. rarus of both sexes. The concentrations of 17β-estradiol, testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone were significantly increased in females and decreased in males after MT exposure. Interestingly, MT caused a decreased number of vitellogenic oocytes in the ovary and spermatozoa in the testis. After MT exposure, four differentially expressed genes ( ndufa4 , slc1a3a , caskin-2 and rpt3 ) were found in G. rarus of both sexes. Overall, we suggest that MT seemed to affect genes involved in pathways related to physiological processes in the gonads of G. rarus . These processes include the electron transfer of Complex IV, endothelial cell activation, axon growth and guidance, and proteasome assembly and glutamate transport metabolic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative dementia that involves substantial neuronal loss. Extracellular deposition of neurotoxic β -amyloid (A β ) plaques in the brain has been recognized as the central histological characteristic of AD. In the past decade, precise detection of the A β plaques at preclinical AD with positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has achieved continued development. A big category of A β imaging agents was benzoheterocycles which derived from Thioflavin-T (ThT), a traditional amyloid binding dye. This review summarizes the past and current status of radioactive benzoheterocycles designed to selectively bind to A β plaques. Separate sections discuss the chemical synthesis, in vitro and in vivo investigations of radiolabeled benzothiazole, benzoxazole, benzofuran, benzothiophene, indole, imidazopyridine and quinoxaline analogs to act as PET/SPECT candidates for imaging A β plaques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Four 99mTc-labeled dibenzylideneacetone derivatives and corresponding rhenium complexes were successfully synthesized and biologically evaluated as potential imaging probes for Aβ plaques using SPECT. All rhenium complexes (5a–d) showed affinity for Aβ (1–42) aggregates (K i = 13.6–120.9 nM), and selectively stained the Aβ plaques on brain sections of transgenic mice. Biodistribution in normal mice revealed that [99mTc]5a–d exhibited moderate initial uptake (0.31%–0.49% ID/g at 2 min) and reasonable brain washout at 60 min post-injection. Although additional optimizations are still needed to facilitate it's penetration through BBB, the present results indicate that [99mTc]5a may be a potential SPECT probe for imaging Aβ plaques in Alzheimer's brains. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: RNA repair or reprogramming is a new avenue for human gene therapy. Unlike conventional gene therapy, in which exogenous cDNAs are introduced into cells, RNA repair approaches, which are based on spliceosome-mediated pre-mRNA trans-splicing, trans-splicing ribozymes, and tRNA-splicing endonuclease, allow the correction of endogenous RNA species. Recently published accounts that in vivo phenotypic correction of a variety of inherited diseases can be achieved by RNA repair are encouraging. Nevertheless, the science of RNA repair for treatment of human diseases is just beginning and faces several scientific and technical challenges that must be addressed and surmounted. In this review, we summarize recent advances in spliceosome-mediated pre-mRNA trans-splicing. We also provide an update on the progress of this emerging technology toward the development of molecular therapy and diagnosis for human diseases and discuss the outstanding issues and challenges confronting RNA therapeutics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To reduce energy consumption, green office buildings have been proposed and promoted as a popular trend. In office buildings, perfect indoor air quality can improve work efficiency, while protecting the health of office staff. However, few investigations of the indoor air quality of green office buildings have been reported. In this study, green buildings with one-to three-star ratings, as well as ordinary buildings, were selected to conduct a field survey using air quality measurements. The results indicated that the three types of star buildings had superior air quality, as the carbon dioxide and particulate matter concentrations in green buildings were lower than those in ordinary buildings. However, the total volatile organic compounds concentration in green buildings was higher than that in ordinary buildings. The air quality levels of different types of buildings were evaluated based on the grey method. Consequently, the indoor air quality of the three-star buildings was reported to be excellent. • Three kinds of green buildings were selected to conduct a field survey using air quality measurements. • The air quality levels of different types of buildings were evaluated based on the grey method. • The indoor air quality of the three-star buildings was reported to be excellent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WC-5vol%TaC x (where x = 0.5, 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9) binderless cemented carbides with different carbon vacancy contents were prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) at a lower sintering temperature of 1800 °C. The phase evolution, microstructure and mechanical properties of these materials were investigated. The results show that the presence of WC, W 2 C and (Ta 1-x , W x)C n phases in the sintered body. The formation of (Ta 1-x , W x)C n solid solution is attributed to the dissolution of WC into TaC x , and the existence of vacancies promotes the atomic diffusion. (Ta 1-x , W x)C n solid solution was uniformly distributed around the WC matrix, which inhibited the WC grain growth. In terms of fracture mode, the WC-5vol%TaC x composites exhibit a combination of intergranular and transgranular fracture, with crack deflection and bridging contributing to enhanced fracture toughness. Compared to other WC-TaC x composites with varying carbon vacancy content, the WC-5vol%TaC 0.8 composite possesses the smallest average particle size and highest intrinsic hardness. Additionally, a semi-coherent interface is formed between (Ta 1-x , W x)C n and WC, leading to improved mechanical properties such as highest hardness (24.4 GPa) and fracture toughness (8.5 MPa·m1/2). The WC-5vol%TaC 0.8 composite, however, exhibits the lowest oxidation onset temperature attributed to its relatively smaller grain size. The introduction of carbon vacancies serves to facilitate atom diffusion and lower the densification temperature, while also functioning as a toughening agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the dynamic model of unmanned helicopter is modeled by frequency domain identification method. An adaptive fuzzy Proportion Integration Differentiation (PID) controller is established, with its design carried out from the aspects of the input and output fuzzy subset, the membership function selection, the fuzzy rule generation, as well as the fuzzy reasoning. An improved genetic algorithm is employed to optimize the initial expert empirical fuzzy rules, which avoids the traditional method from falling into the local optimal solution in the process of optimization. Specifically, adaptive crossover and mutation probability are adopted to accelerate the convergence speed of the genetic algorithm. We then apply the proposed algorithm to optimize the membership function and fuzzy control rules of the fuzzy controller. Simulation results indicate that our adaptive fuzzy PID has better control effect and anti-interference ability than the traditional PID control law. Additionally, our adaptive fuzzy PID controller is verification by flight test thought AF25B unmanned helicopter platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Correlation between CYP19A1 polymorphism and depression investigated in Han Chinese. • rs2470152 in the recessive model (AA vs. GG + GA) increased the risk of depression. • No gender-related risk differences were found between patients and controls. • CYP19A1 rs2470152 polymorphism is a risk factor for depression pathogenesis. Estrogen plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of depression. The cytochrome p450 (CYP) 19A1 gene encodes aromatase, which is responsible for a key step in estrogen production. Previous studies suggested that CYP19A1 polymorphisms increase the risk of depression in the Japanese population. The current study aimed to investigate the correlation between the CYP19A1 rs2470152 polymorphism and the risk of depression in Chinese Han population. In total, 1006 Chinese Han subjects were recruited in this case-control study, including 502 patients diagnosed with depression and 504 healthy gender- and age-matched (from 18–65 years) controls. Genotyping was performed using multiplex PCR and high-throughput sequencing to assess the effects of the CYP19A1 rs2470152 (G > A) polymorphism on the risk of depression in the entire cohort and the subjects were further stratified by gender. No significant differences were observed in allele and genotype frequencies of CYP19A1 rs2470152 between total cases and controls (P > 0.05). However, the CYP19A1 rs2470152 polymorphism in the recessive model (AA vs. GG + GA) was associated with increased risk of depression (χ2 = 4.077, P = 0.043, OR = 1.347, 95% CI = 1.008–1.798). After subjects stratification by gender, neither genotypes nor genetic models showed significant differences between cases and controls (all P > 0.05). The results indicated that the CYP19A1 rs2470152 (G > A) polymorphism in the recessive model (AA vs. GG + GA) was correlated with increased risk of depression in Chinese Han population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the MgO-Nd 2 Zr 2 O 7 composite ceramics inert matrix (IM) was proposed as a candidate for the transmutation of Pu and minor actinides (MA) in light water reactors (LWR) or accelerator driven sub-critical system (ADS). To take full advantage of the pyrochlore structure of Nd 2 Zr 2 O 7 to accommodate different types of MA and Pu, in this work, Y and Ce co-doped ω MgO-(1- ω)(Nd 1- x Y x) 2 (Zr 1- x Ce x) 2 O 7 (M-NYZC) composite ceramics used as a candidate IM for inert matrix fuel were prepared by solid-state one-step sintering method at 1500 °C for 3 h. The phase structure and microstructure of M-NYZC composite ceramics were characterized by XRD and SEM-EDS. Also, the thermal physical properties of M-NYZC composite ceramics including the thermal expansion coefficient and thermal conductivity were investigated systematically. Results from XRD and SEM-EDS showed that the magnesium oxide and NYZC pyrochlore solid solution are intermixed well with each other, and the M-NYZC samples present uniform element distribution with a grain size of about 1 μm. Also, the as-prepared samples possessed well densified microstructure, and the average relative density of all samples could exceed 95 %. Moreover, the thermal expansion coefficient and thermal conductivity of 0.5M-0.5NYZC (x = 0, 0.15, 0.2, 0.5, 0.9) samples were located in the range of 13.4 × 10-6–14.4 × 10-6 K-1 and 16.34–3.70 W·m-1·K-1 respectively. By comparison, the thermal physical properties of 0.5M-0.5NYZC samples are superior to that of traditional UO 2 and MOX fuels. It is suggested that the M-NYZC composite ceramics prepared in this study can meet the thermal physical performances of inert matrix fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A higher yield of dextran strain Leuconstoc mesenteroides TDS2-19 was isolated from Chinese sauerkraut juice. Effects of the three main factors on exopolysaccharide (EPS) yield were investigated by central composite design (CCD) and the optimum composition was sucrose 117.48 g/L, sodium acetate 4.10 g/L, and initial pH 6.88. Optimum results showed that EPS yield was increased to 71.23 ± 2.25 g/L in 48 h fermentation, 31.24% higher than before. The molecular weight (Mw) of ESP was 8.79 × 10 7 Da, as determined by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra (NMR) showed that the polysaccharide synthesized by L. mesenteroides TDS2-19 in the MRS medium was dextran with a peak, a linear backbone composed of consecutive α-(1 → 6)-linked d -glucopyranose units. No branching was observed in the dextran structure. The present study suggested that L. mesenteroides TDS2-19 might be used for the industrial-scale production of linear dextran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasma gondii can infect humans and wildlife, sometimes causing serious clinical presentations. Currently, no viable vaccine or effective drug strategies exist to prevent and control toxoplasmosis. T. gondii malate dehydrogenase (TgMDH) is a crucial enzyme in cellular redox reactions and has been shown to be an immunogenic compound that could be a potential vaccine candidate. Here, we investigate the protective efficacy of recombinant TgMDH (rTgMDH) against T. gondii infection in BALB/c mice. All mice were vaccinated via the nasal route. We determined the optimal vaccination dose by monitoring systemic and mucosal immune responses. The results showed that mice vaccinated with 30 μg of rTgMDH produced the highest antibody titers in serum, a strong lymphoproliferative response, marked increases in their levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ, and significantly greater levels of specific secretory IgA (sIgA) in mucosal washes. In addition, the vaccinated mice were orally challenged with tachyzoites of the virulent T. gondii RH strain 2 weeks after the final vaccination. Compared to the control group, we found that vaccination with rTgMDH increased the survival rate of infected mice by 47% and also significantly reduced the tachyzoite loads in their liver (by 58%) and brain (by 41%). Therefore, the rTgMDH protein triggers a strong systemic and mucosal immune response and provides partial protection against T. gondii infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]