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The thick shell mussel Mytilus coruscus has developed into a model species for studying the interaction between molluscs and environmental stimuli. Herein, integrated analysis of miRNAome and transcriptome was performed to reveal miRNA-mRNA network regulation in Vibrio alginolyticus infected M. coruscus. There have detected some histological abnormalities in digestive gland and gills of V. alginolyticus challenged mussels, ascertaining the effective irritation by the present bacterial strain. A total of 265 novel miRNAs were finally predicted, of which 26 were differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs). Additionally, 667 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected, which may be potentially associated with innate immune response to V. alginolyticus infection. A regulatory network linked to 22 important pathways and 16 DEMs and 34 OGs was constructed. Some traditional immune-related signaling pathways such as toll-like receptor signaling pathway (TLR) signaling pathway, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway, peroxisome, phagosome, lysosome, mammalian target of rapamyoin (mTOR) signaling pathway were linked to specific miRNAs and genes in this network. Further, interactional relationship between certain miRNAs and TLR pathway was dissected, which the results predicted that a number of TLRs and TLR-associated signaling genes including TLR1, TLR2, TLR4, TLR6, IRAK1, TRAF6, MAPK, and IL-17 were negatively regulated by novel_miR_11, novel_miR_145, novel_miR_196, novel_miR_5, novel_miR_163 and novel_miR_217 in the TLR pathway. Additionally, interactional relationship between novel_miR_145 and TLR2 was validated by laboratory experiment. The integrated analysis of mRNA and microRNA deep sequencing data exhibited a sophisticated miRNA-mRNA regulation network in M. coruscus in response to V. alginolyticus challenge, which shed a new light on the underlying mechanism of molluscan confronting bacterial infection.

Background Topotecan is an anti-cancer chemotherapy drug with common side effects, including hepatotoxicity. In this study, we aim to investigate the mechanisms of topotecan-induced hepatocellular injury beyond conventional DNA damage. Materials and methods Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to detect the inhibitory effect of topotecan on cell proliferation. Western blot was used to detect protein expression. Flow cytometry assay was performed to determine apoptosis rate under topotecan treatment. ASCT2 overexpression was addressed using adenovirus vector. qRT-PCR and western blot assay were used to detect the expression of ASCT2. Glutamine uptake, intracellular glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level were detected by glutamine detection kit, GSH detection kit and ROS detection kit respectively. Results MTT results showed that topotecan had an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in both L02 and HepG2 cell lines. Topotecan inhibited the expression of glutamine transporter ASCT2 and the uptake of glutamine in both L02 and HepG2 cell lines. The uptake of glutamine and the GSH level was increased in both L02 and HepG2 cell lines after ASCT2 overexpression. The ROS level was inhibited by ASCT2 overexpression upon topotecan treatment in both L02 and HepG2 cell lines. Topotecan-induced hepatocellular apoptosis and proliferation inhibition were attenuated by ASCT2 overexpression in both L02 and HepG2 cell lines. Conclusion Topotecan-induced hepatocytes death is dependent on ASCT2 down-regulation, which causes oxidative stress via inhibiting GSH production.

Magnolia sieboldii K. Koch is a deciduous tree species. However, the wild resource of M. sieboldii has been declining due to excessive utilization and seed dormancy. In our previous research, M. sieboldii seeds have morphophysiological dormancy and low germination rates under natural conditions. The aim of the present study was to identify the genes involved in dormancy maintenance. In this study, the germination percentage of M. sieboldii seeds negatively correlated with the content of endogenous abscisic acid (ABA). The hydration of seeds for germination showed three distinct phases. Five key time points were identified: 0 h imbibition (dry seed, GZ), 0 day after imbibition (DAI), 16 DAI, 40 DAI, and 56 DAI. The comprehensive transcript profiles of M. sieboldii seeds treated with ABA and water at the five key germinating stages were obtained. A total of 9641 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and 208 and 197 common DEGs were found throughout the ABA and water treatments, respectively. Compared with that in the GZ, 518, 696, 2133, and 1535 DEGs were identified in the SH group at 0, 16, 40 and 56 DAI, respectively. 666, 1725, 1560 and 1415 DEGs were identified in the ABA group at 0, 16, 40, and 56 DAI, respectively. Among the identified DEGs, 12 722 were annotated with GO terms, the top three enriched GO terms were different among the DEGs at 56 DAI in the ABA vs. SH treatments. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis for DEGs indicated that oxidative phosphorylation, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, starch and sucrose metabolism play an important role in seed response to ABA. 1926 TFs are obtained and classified into 72 families from the M. sieboldii transcriptome. Results of differential gene expression analysis together with qRT-PCR indicated that phase II is crucial for rapid and successful seed germination. This study is the first to present the global expression patterns of ABA-regulated transcripts in M. sieboldii seeds at different germinating phases.

BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) B2 signal works in the aeronautical radio navigation services (ARNS) band. It suffers high-power pulse interference, particularly from distance measuring equipment (DME), which will affect signal acquisition, signal tracking, as well as positioning of airborne BDS receiver. Regarding the problem, a DME pulse interference mitigation algorithm based on FLOC-TDE (Fractional Lower Order Covariance-Time Delay Estimation) is proposed in this paper, which can effectively mitigate DME pulse and retain useful BDS satellite signals. We firstly analyzed the live data collected from COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China Ltd) Airborne BDS First Flight Project. And then, experiments on COMAC airborne BDS experiment platform were performed. The proposed algorithm, time domain pulse blanking algorithm and non-mitigation algorithm were compared in the experiments. The values of correlation peak to secondary peak ratio (CPSP) and the correlation peak to mean peak ratio (CPMP), and carrier-to-noise ratio ( C / N 0 ) using the proposed algorithm were the biggest. The results verify that the proposed algorithm can mitigate DME pulse interference, improve acquisition and tracking performance of airborne BDS receiver, which can ensure the system integrity.

Chili pepper is difficult to dry as the outermost surface is covered with an epicuticular wax layer, which hinders moisture transfer. Chemical dipping pretreatments and thermal blanching methods are often employed to enhance its drying process. However, chemical pretreatments hold the issues of chemical additives residue and thermal blanching methods tend to result in a high loss of bioactive compounds. Cold plasma is an ionized gas that contains different electrons, ions, and reactive neutral species. In current work, the feasibility of cold plasma as a non-thermal pretreatment technology for chili pepper drying is explored. The effects of different cold plasma pretreatment time (15, 30, 45, 60 s) on hot air drying kinetics and quality attributes of chili pepper, such as colour, red pigment retention, antioxidant activity, and microstructure were investigated. Results indicate that cold plasma can enhance the drying rate and the exposure time of 30 s achieves the optimum result. Microstructure observations show the existence of micro-holes, which explain how plasma treatment can enhance the drying kinetics. Quality attributes showed that the colour parameters had no significant changes under various treatment times. The retention of red pigment content was improved by plasma treatment of 30 s, whereas longer exposure times had a negative effect. The antioxidant activity of samples increased with the increase of cold plasma exposure time. Results indicate that cold plasma is a promising pretreatment technology for chili peppers as it enhances drying kinetics and quality attributes of chili pepper.

Microalgae are the primary source of food and energy for marine bivalves, and hence play a vital role in their development and growth. To characterize the microalgal feeding preference and the effects of fatty acid composition and digestive gland microorganisms on Mytilus, four microalgal species (Chlorella vulgaris, Chaetoceros muelleri, Isochrysis zhanjiangensis and Platymonas helgolandica) were used in a mix and single feeding experiments. The feeding preference in the mix feeding was determined using quantitative PCR analysis of water samples obtained at various time periods from biodeposits. The results demonstrated that C. muelleri and I. zhanjiangensis were selectively filtered by M. coruscus, while C. vulgaris and P. helgolandica were preferentially rejected. Individuals of M. coruscus fed with C. muelleri and I. zhanjiangensis had higher levels of fatty acids contents, particularly some unsaturated fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which rose by 63.6% after 28 days feeding with C. muelleri. In the digestive glands of M. coruscus fed these two microalgae diets, the relative abundance of digestion-related bacteria such as Polaribacter was also dramatically enhanced, indicating that they had a greater ability to degrade and metabolize microalgal polysaccharides. The metabolic pathway may also play a dominant role as a feedback reaction to microalgal diet feeding, according to potential function prediction. In comparison to C. vulgaris and P. helgolandica, our findings showed that C. muelleri and I. zhanjiangensis had a better nutritional value and could be utilized more efficiently by M. coruscus, implying that C. muelleri and I. zhanjiangensis may be employed to boost M. coruscus growth and output.

The temperature dependent elastic modulus and theoretical tensile strength have been investigated by the first-principles calculations to get insight into the mechanical performance of γ -TiAl in the case of high temperature and impurity. The phase stability of γ -TiAl at elevated temperature has been proved by calculating the phonon dispersion relations and elastic constants. The elastic modulus B, G and E decrease linearly by 8%, 22%, and 20% respectively with the temperature increasing from 0 K to 850 K. The reduction of B is small, indicating that the resistance to external pressure for γ -TiAl is still superior at high temperature. The reduced G/B ratio of 0.488 endows γ -TiAl fairly good ductility at elevated temperature. The tensile test shows that the ideal tensile strength is somewhat reduced due to the presence of impurity (C, O, P, and S) in comparison with pure γ -TiAl. Compared to C, P, and S, the O impurities are more easily trapped in γ -TiAl matrix with largely negative formation energy. For the γ -TiAl compound, the values of theoretical tensile strength corresponding to the first phonon instability are 16.1 GPa, 5.3 GPa, 6.3 GPa, and 14.6 GPa along [100], [001], [110], and [111] directions, respectively. For TiAl-O system, we obtained the values of 15.1 GPa, 10.8 GPa, 6.4 GPa, and 13.3 GPa, respectively.

Lecanicillium attenuatum is an important nematophagous fungus with potential as a biopesticide for control of plant-pathogenic nematodes. However, relatively low fungicide-tolerance limits its application in the field. To improve the propamocarb-tolerance of L. attenuatum , a low-energy N + ion implantation-based mutagenesis system was established. In the first round of N + ion implantation, a proper conidial lethality rate (87.2–88.8%) and the highest positive mutation rate (11.2–11.4%) were achieved, and the highest propamocarb-tolerant mutant LA-I-R1-T7-M1 and LA-I-R1-T7-M2 were isolated in the experiment 1 and experiment 2 respectively, having a median effective concentration (EC 50 ) value of 1223.6 and 1173.6 μg/ml respectively. Multiple rounds of N + ion implantation were further employed, but fungal propamocarb-tolerance had not been significantly enhanced until the fifth-round of ion implantation. The LA-I-R5-M1 was the highest tolerant to propamocarb among all the mutants, whose EC 50 value was increased 2.54-fold compared to wild-type strain, reaching to the 1298.7 μg/ml. Its EC 50 value was significantly increased with continuous passaging, which was stable from the fifth- to fifteenth-generation, and then declined. However the EC 50 value of the twentieth-generation strain was still higher than the EC 50 (1298.7 μg/ml) of the first-generation strain. The colony growth, conidia yield and conidial germination of mutants on plates, and their parasitism in the nematode eggs of Meloidogyne incognita and Heterodera glycines were not significantly changed in both single- and multiple-round of N + ion implantation. In conclusion, we had succeeded in improving the propamocarb-tolerance of L. attenuatum through this low-energy N + ion implantation-based mutagenesis system. The improved strain LA-I-R5-M1 could be potentially applied in combination with propamocarb in the field.

Laser surface cladding with Al-Si powders was applied to a Mg-6Zn-1Ca magnesium alloy to improve its surface properties. The microstructure, phase components and chemical compositions of the laser-clad layer were analyzed by using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The results show that the clad layer mainly consists of α-Mg, Mg2Si dendrites, Mg17Al12 and Al3Mg2 phases. Owing to the formation of Mg2Si, Mg17Al12 and Al3Mg2 intermetallic compounds in the melted region and grain refinement, the microhardness of the clad layer (HV0.025 310) is about 5 times higher than that of the substrate (HV0.025 54). Besides, corrosion tests in the NaCl (3.5%, mass fraction) water solution show that the corrosion potential is increased from –1574.6 mV for the untreated sample to –128.7 mV for the laser-clad sample, while the corrosion current density is reduced from 170.1 to 6.7 µA/cm2. These results reveal that improved corrosion resistance and increased hardness of the Mg-6Zn-1Ca alloy can be both achieved after laser cladding with Al-Si powders.

Histidine-containing dipeptides (HCDs) are a family of non-protein, nitrogen-containing compounds with multiple physiological roles and are mainly present in excitable tissues of vertebrates. The distribution of HCDs in various animal species has been the subject of study for nearly 100 years. The aim of this research was to determine the content of the HCDs in the aquatic species collected from the Zhoushan fishing ground of the East China Sea. Using LC-MS/MS technology, the occurrence of carnosine, anserine, and homocarnosine in skeletal muscle of 38 aquatic species (26 teleosts, 6 molluscs, and 6 crustaceans) and chicken breast was investigated. Of the 38 aquatic species examined, 24 species (23 teleosts and 1 mollusc) contained considerable amounts (>5 ng/g wet tissue) of HCDs, and anserine was the major component of HCDs in their skeletal muscles. Only 5 teleosts contained homocarnosine. Most invertebrates, with the exception of the sepia Uroteuthis chinensis, did not contain HCDs. The present findings greatly expand the HCD distribution data and provide insight into understanding the roles of HCDs in different animals and a nutritional assessment for marine aquatic species., Highlights • carnosine, anserine, and homocarnosine were determined in 38 marine species. • Almost all the tested fish contain histidine-containing dipeptides. • The highest value was presented in migratory pelagic fishes. • The anserine is the major component in marine species. • No HCD can be detected in invertebrates with the exception of the family Loliginidae.

Transgenic cotton GK 12 producing Cry1Ab/Ac proteins can effectively control lepidopteran pests in agriculture. However, there are concerns that GK 12 has unintended side-effects on actinobacterial communities in the soil. Actinobacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil of cottons were analyzed by real-time PCR (qPCR) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) at different growth stages in three annual replications under field conditions. Population sizes and community structures of Actinobacteria were markedly affected by natural variations in years, growth stages and cultivars. No significant differences were found in population sizes (excepting at budding in 2009), community structures, and Shannon indices of Actinobacteria (excepting at budding in 2010) between the GK 12 and its non-transgenic parent Simian 3, although there were differences between the GK 12 and the conventional cotton DP 5415. Phylogenetic analysis of DGGE band sequences indicated that Cellulosimicrobium sp. and Rhodococcus sp. only occurred in the GK 12 and the Simian 3. The dominant Actinobacteria did not differ between the GK 12 and the Simian 3. In conclusion, the overall impacts of the GK 12 on actinobacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil, based on qPCR and DGGE, were not significant during three continuous years in northern China.

In this paper, the NaYF4:Yb,Er,Gd fluorescent upconversion nanorods (UCNRs) were successfully employed as a promising fluorescent label for the detection of blood fingerprints with high sensitivity, low background, high efficiency, and low toxicity on a range of substrates including non-infiltrating materials (glass, ceramic tile, aluminium foil, stainless steel sheet, coin and marble), and infiltrating materials (magazine cover and train ticket). To assess the efficiency of this approach, comparisons were performed with Acid Yellow 7 (AY7, an effective blood reagent) on above-mentioned eight substrates. The fingerprints were cut in halves and the halves treated separately with UCNRs and AY7. The results manifested that UCNRs were superior to AY7 on all test substrates. This work shows that UCNRs are a versatile fluorescent label for the detection of blood fingerprints in criminal science for individual identification.

The present study evaluated the feasibility of using a marine cage fish Larimichthys crocea as a model for monitoring short-time Cd discharge near the sewage outlet. Fish were exposed to 0, 20, 100, 500 and 2500 μg/L for 6 h. Cd concentrations in gills, and left and right lobes of hepatopancreas were examined as well as activity levels of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathion-S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH) and mRNA levels of 19 genes encoding these enzymes. Cd concentrations increased at 100, 500 and 2500 μg/L Cd in gill and at 2500 μg/L Cd in hepatopancreas. Lipid peroxidation increased and GSH levels declined in gills at 2500 μg/L Cd. On the contrary, oxidative damage was not observed in hepatopancreas but GSH levels increased at all tested concentrations of Cd in the left lobe and at 20 μg/L Cd in the right lobe. The enhanced antioxidant response was confirmed in gills due to the increased activity levels of antioxidant enzymes and the up-regulated mRNA levels of most genes. However, disordered antioxidant response was observed in hepatopancreas, showing a dose- and lobe-dependent effect. RNA-seq and q-PCR analyses were performed to investigate differently expressed genes between both lobes under different concentrations of Cd. The most significantly enriched pathway term was pancreatic secretion, where the right lobe showed higher mRNA levels of 18 genes encoding pancreatic digestive enzymes than the left one under Cd stress. Interestingly, both lobes had the same mRNA levels of digestive enzyme genes and antioxidant genes in fish without Cd exposure. Overall, Larimichthys crocea is very sensitive to environmental exposure to cadmium. The present study for the first time investigates Cd-induced antioxidant response in Larimichthys crocea, also is the first to find lobe-dependent effects in fish.

Magnolia sieboldii is a deciduous tree native to China. This species has a deep dormancy characteristic. To better understand seed germination, we used protein analysis of changes in seed protein at 0, 65, 110 and 150 d of stratification. Comparative 2DE analysis of M. sieboldii seed protein profiles at 0, 65, 110 and 150 d of stratification revealed 80 differentially abundance protein species. Comparative analysis showed that ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase small subunit was degraded during germination. In particular, it was degraded almost completely at 110 d of germination. Starch granules in the microstructure decreased after 65 d of stratification. Starch granules provided a sufficient amount of substrates and ATPs for subsequent germination. Four storage protein species were identified, of which all were down accumulated. Spots 44 and 46 had different MW and pI values, spots 36 and 46 had nearly the same MW with pI shift in the 2-DE gels, suggesting that they might be present as different isoforms of the same protein family and the post translational modification. Our results suggested that degradation of starch granules and storage protein species prepared the seed embryo for growth, as well as regulated seed germination. The present proteomics analysis provides novel insights into the mobilisation of nutrient reserves during the germination of M. sieboldii seeds. Biological significance To better understand seed germination, a complex developmental process, we developed a proteome analysis of M. sieboldii seed. We performed the first comprehensive proteomic and microstructure analysis during different seed stratification stages of M. sieboldii. Among the 80 protein species, 26 were identified, 7 and 14 protein species were up or down accumulated significantly. Many of the identified key proteins were involved in embryo development, starch biosynthesis and energy metabolism, Microstructure of stratification seed analysis revealed degradation of starch was used for preparing the seed embryo for growth. These data may help us to develop a comprehensive understanding of the physiological status and mobilisation mechanisms in M. sieboldii seed germination.

Estrogen receptor negative (ER-) breast cancer are associated with increased risks for metastasis and high rates of recurrence. Our present study revealed that nanomolar bisphenol A (BPA), a typical endocrine disrupting chemical, promoted the in vitro migration and induced mesenchymal transition (EMT) of ER-breast cancer cells. PCR array revealed that BPA can down regulate 12 and up regulate 2 genes involved in regulation of signal transduction and biological pathways of breast cancer. The down regulated genes included FOXA1, which is a key determinant of endocrine response and down regulated by BPA via a time dependent manner. Silencing of FOXA1 by siRNA triggered the EMT of SkBr3 cells. While over expression of FOXA1 abolished BPA induced EMT. Further, 10(-8) M BPA significantly increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38-MAPK, and Akt in SkBr3 cells, while only PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 attenuated the BPA induced down regulation of FOXA1 and E-Cadherin (E-Cad). Over expression of Akt also suppressed FOXA1 expression in SkBr3 cells. It suggested that PI3K/Akt mediated, at least partially, BPA induced EMT of ER-breast cancer cells. In summary, our data provided the first evidence that BPA can promote the EMT of ER-breast cancer cells through down regulation of FOXA1.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a symmetrical polyarticular autoimmune disease of unknown etiology. In this present study, we observed that the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) expression is down-regulated and the expression of microRNA (miR)-663 increased significantly in synovium from RA patients compared with control. Target gene prediction for miR-663 revealed that the mRNA of APC gene, which is a member of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, has a miR-663 binding site in its 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR). The result showed that increased miR-663 suppressed the APC expression significantly, and this down-regulation of APC expression triggered the activation of canonical Wnt signaling through accumulation of β-catenin in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). In addition, increased miR-663 induced the FLS proliferation and the expression MMP3 and fibronectin during disease development. Therefore, miR-663 can be considered as a critical regulator of RA pathogenesis and can be utilized for developing miRNA-based therapeutic agents for RA patients.

The control of abscission is an important agricultural concern because of its substantial effect on crop yield and quality. Changes in gene expression are correlated with the ethylene-mediated execution of abscission. However, only few large-scale proteomic studies focused on tomato pedicel abscission. Isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification labeling was used to examine the protein and phosphoprotein changes in the tomato pedicel AZ (AZ) treated with ethylene or 1-methylcyclopropene. Among the 1429 quantified proteins, 383 unique peptides corresponding to 166 proteins showed higher than 1.5-fold change in abundance. A total of 450 phosphopeptides were detected, among which 85 phosphopeptides corresponding to 73 phosphoproteins were significantly regulated (> 1.5-fold abundance change) in response to ethylene. Protein and phosphoprotein sets showed 26 similar proteins. Six phosphorylation motifs were extracted from the 138 phosphorylation sites. By analyzing translational and modification levels, we found that the modification level was not due to the translational changes. Comparison between the protein and phosphoprotein functions revealed that the proteins acted mainly in the metabolic process and showed catalytic activity, whereas most of the phosphoproteins showed signaling and transporting activities. Data revealed the unique features of the AZ phosphoproteomics, thereby suggesting the involvement of a complex network of kinase–substrate and phosphatase–substrate interactions in response to ethylene. Some phosphorylation sites from calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK5S523), CDPK5S527, and SRL3S329 were also found to perform protective functions for AZ and to be helpful in ethylene signal transduction. Biological significance Organ abscission has both positive and negative roles. Abscission is conducive for the fall of ripe fruits and the release and dispersion of seeds, but abscission has been a major limiting factor for crop productivity. Hence, more details about the process may aid in the regulation of organ abscission. However, at present, the detailed mechanism of abscission is still unclear. In tomato, several transcriptome analyses were performed using pedicels as materials. Yet, no large-scale proteomics and phosphoproteomic studies of abscission zone have been reported so far. Hence, in this present study, we determined the ethylene-induced changes in the proteomics and phosphoproteomics of tomato flower AZ tissue using the isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ). Proteomics data from both data sets revealed the differentially expressed proteins that are associated with the translational and modification levels relevant to abscission mechanism. Two key proteins (CDPK (CDPK5S523 and CDPK5S527) and SRL3S329) among ethylene signal transduction and defense-related proteins were obtained from the phosphoproteins. The set of tomato phosphorylation sites presented in this work is useful in at least two ways. First, as a database resource, the data would facilitate research on the identified phosphoproteins. Second, the identified sites of the related proteins could provide enough knowledge for further experiments. Hence, our results contribute to the understanding of the mechanism of abscission in plants.

In the present study, the effect of drying methods on the quality of Angelicae Sinensis Radix (DG), was evaluated by newly developed high performance liquid chromatography photodiode array detector (HPLC-DAD) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF-MS/MS). Ten major bioactive components including two phenolic acids, two hydroxyl phthalides, four alkyl phthalides and two phthalide dimers were selected as evaluation chemical markers and the newly-established method was qualitatively and quantitatively validated. DG slices and whole roots dried in shade, sun light, hot air, vacuum, microwave, far infrared ray and combination of microwave and far infrared ray as well as the fresh DG samples were determined by the established methods. DG slices dried in hot air kept the similar chemical composition to that of fresh DG, while DG whole roots dried in vacuum retained highest contents of the major components. Coniferyl ferulate and ligustilide degraded significantly in DG slices dried by microwave, far infrared ray and their combination. The influence of such chemical changes induced by different drying methods on the bioactivities of DG warrants further investigation, so that the optimal drying method can be obtained for the standardization of DG herb.

An HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry system for radioxenon isotopes detection has been developed. The system was comprised of two low-energy planar HPGe detectors that were horizontally and oppositely placed, and a gas source cell made of carbon fiber in both sides was used. The spectra obtained simultaneously by the two HPGe detectors were analyzed by summing spectrum method. After the radioactive concentration of 133 Xe was determined with three internal gas proportional counters, the efficiency of 81 keV gamma-ray for 133 Xe was calibrated to be 0.50 (1), and the Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) for 133 Xe detection was determined to be 10 mBq during 1 day measurement time. Finally, the system was applied in atmospheric 133 Xe monitoring at Xi'an of China after the Fukushima nuclear accident.

A high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector (HPLC-PDA) fingerprinting and ultra high performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detector coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA-QTOF-MS/MS) based chemical profiling approach was developed to rapidly find characteristic chemical markers for quality control of dispensing granules, taking Chuanxiong Rhizoma (CR) as a model herb. Firstly, CR crude drugs, their traditional decoctions and CR dispensing granules were analyzed by HPLC-PDA to rapidly establish the fingerprints and thereby generate the simulative median chromatograms of CR crude drugs, decoctions and dispensing granules, and by comparing the simulative median chromatograms, major characteristic peaks of CR decoctions and dispensing granules could be determined. Secondary, UHPLC-PDA-QTOF-MS/MS was used to identify the major characteristic peaks of CR decoctions and dispensing granules. The identities of three major peaks were elucidated and confirmed to be ferulic acid (1), senkyunolide I (2) and senkyunolide H (3) by comparing the mass/UV spectra and retention times with that of the reference compounds. Thirdly, an HPLC-PDA method was validated to quantify the three characteristic components in commercial CR dispensing granules. The average contents of ferulic acid and senkyunolide H were found to be less than 1.0mg/g, whereas that of senkyunolide I was 4.40mg/g in CR dispensing granules, which indicated that senkyunolide I might be chosen as a suitable quantitative marker, while ferulic acid and senkyunolide H as qualitative markers for the quality evaluation of CR dispensing granules. It is suggested that this newly established approach could be used to practically and rapidly find suitable marker compounds for quality control of dispensing granules derived from other medicinal herbs.

In-situ phosphatizing organic coating is a one-step self-phosphatizing process, in which the formation of metal phosphate layer on the substrate surface and the curing of organic paint coating take place simultaneously, instead of multi-step metal pretreatment process. In the present research, the impact of three rare earth oxide nanoparticles on corrosion resistance of in-situ phosphatizing organic coatings formed on 6061-T6 aluminum alloy was investigated by polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results indicated that the small amounts of rare earth oxide nanoparticles can effectively improve the corrosion resistance of the in-situ phosphatizing organic coating in 3.5%NaCl solution. The influencing degree of rare earth oxide nanoparticles on the corrosion resistance of the in-situ phosphatizing organic coating follows the order of lanthanum oxide > yttrium oxide

The half-lives of (88)Kr and (138)Xe have been determined with two high purity germanium (HPGe) detectors by the position relay method. Data have been recorded at regular time intervals during measurements covering more than nine times the respective half-lives. This article describes in detail the principle and process of the position relay method with two HPGe detectors. The determined half-lives of (88)Kr and (138)Xe are 2.804±0.015 h and 14.18±0.10 min, respectively.

This paper presents an integrated complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) low power low noise amplifier (LNA) for global positioning system (GPS) receivers. To achieve low power dissipation, the MOS transistors in the proposed LNA are biased in moderate inversion region. It is implemented by SMIC 180 nm 1P6M CMOS process. The experiment results show that a gain of 12.14 dB@1.57 GHz is achieved with low noise figure (NF) of 1.62 dB. The power consumption of the circuit is 1.5 mW at supply voltage of 1.8 V. The ratio of gain to dc power consumption is 8 dB/mW. The size of the LNA is only 980 μm×720 μm including the pads.

Silane films have been successfully used as an alternative to toxic Chromate coatings for the corrosion protection of aluminum alloys. To further improve the performance of these silane films, rare earth elements are used. The present work aims at understanding the role of yttrium oxide for silane films applied on AA6061. The corrosion protection performance of silane film formed in bis-1,2-[triethoxysiyl]ethane silane (BTSE) solution doped with different contents of Y 2 O 3 was investigated with potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The morphologies of silane film were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of potentiodynamic polarization curves, impedance spectroscopy (EIS) reveal that the presence of small amounts of Y 2 O 3 in BTSE solutions can increase the corrosion resistance of the silane films in 3.5% NaCl solution. The formed film does not change the dynamic behaviors of the electrode reaction; it mainly inhibits the cathodic reduction reaction of electrochemical corrosion and acts as a physical barrier for the protection of aluminum alloy. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated that the surface morphologies of silane films formed were flat and compact, with high cross-link density, when the contents of Y 2 O 3 in BTSE solutions were 10mg/L and 20mg/L.

Four leaf morpha groups (floating-leaved, submerged broad-leaved, submerged linear-leaved and filiform-leaved) and three inflorescences type groups (erect, facultative floating and floating) can be found in the genus Potamogeton . Life forms in the genus correlate with pollination types (anemophily, epihydrophily and hydroautogamy). Floral traits vary greatly among different life forms and pollination types. Both floating and submerged broad-leaved species produce erect inflorescences that are suited for anemophilous pollination. These flowers also have the highest pollen/ovule (P/O) ratio (25,013) and the smallest pollen grain volume (6046 μm 3 ). On the contrary, submerged filiform-leaved species produce only floating inflorescences and their flowers produce the largest pollen grains (17,567 μm 3 ) and have the lowest P/O ratio (6752), which is typical of the syndromes of hydroautogamy and epihydrophily. The relatively prolific seed production (about 70%) and wide dispersal in the floating and submerged broad-leaved species and the submerged filliform-leaved species indicate that these two groups are well adapted to the aquatic environment. This is in contrast with the less well-adapted complex and unstable pollination system found in linear-leaved species. We propose that the pollination systems and life forms in the Potamogeton , have undergone modification in response to the demands imposed by the aquatic environment during the evolutionary process in the genus.

Zinc phosphate coating was formed on 6061-Al alloy through a phosphating bath containing mainly ZnO, H3PO4, NaF. Yttrium oxide (Y2O3) was used as an accelerator of phosphatization to replace nitrite. The morphology, composition and the growth process of the zinc phosphate coating were investigated by SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR and electrochemical measurements. The phosphate coating formed is composed of hopeite and metallic zinc. The formation and morphology of the zinc phosphate coating were strongly influenced by the presence of yttrium oxide (Y2O3) in the phosphating bath. The formed zinc phosphate coatings exhibited high corrosion resistance in 3% NaCl solution as shown by polarization measurement.