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The sugar industry is important for the economic development in China. Guangxi province is the largest sugar producer with over 60% of the total sugarcane cultivating area in the country. Research, development, and industrialization on the intensive processing and comprehensive utilization of sugarcane as a raw material will increase in the coming years. This article provides an overview of the development of diversified sugarcane deep processing, focusing on the current research development with special reference to the production of sugarcane wine, vinegar, sugarcane cell water, white sugar, and fructooligosaccharides in China, especially in Guangxi. The aim is to promote the second entrepreneurship of the sugar industry, upgrade the industrial chain, and provide advanced technologies to upgrade the quality and efficiency of the industry and achieve sustainable and healthy socioeconomic development in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: A novel method is developed for precise control over the structure of 3D anodic aluminum oxide templates, enabling fine-tuning of both the vertical pore diameter and interspace within the templates. 3D carbon tube nanoarrays featuring significantly thinner and denser tubes are constructed as high-quality electrodes for miniaturized filter capacitors. The 3D compactly arranged carbon tube-based capacitor achieves a remarkable specific areal capacitance of 3.23 mF cm−2 with a phase angle of − 80.2° at 120 Hz. Electric double-layer capacitors (EDLCs) with fast frequency response are regarded as small-scale alternatives to the commercial bulky aluminum electrolytic capacitors. Creating carbon-based nanoarray electrodes with precise alignment and smooth ion channels is crucial for enhancing EDLCs' performance. However, controlling the density of macropore-dominated nanoarray electrodes poses challenges in boosting the capacitance of line-filtering EDLCs. Herein, a simple technique to finely adjust the vertical-pore diameter and inter-spacing in three-dimensional nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide (3D-AAO) template is achieved, and 3D compactly arranged carbon tube (3D-CACT) nanoarrays are created as electrodes for symmetrical EDLCs using nanoporous 3D-AAO template-assisted chemical vapor deposition of carbon. The 3D-CACT electrodes demonstrate a high surface area of 253.0 m2 g−1, a D/G band intensity ratio of 0.94, and a C/O atomic ratio of 8. As a result, the high-density 3D-CT nanoarray-based sandwich-type EDLCs demonstrate a record high specific areal capacitance of 3.23 mF cm−2 at 120 Hz and exceptional fast frequency response due to the vertically aligned and highly ordered nanoarray of closely packed CT units. The 3D-CT nanoarray electrode-based EDLCs could serve as line filters in integrated circuits, aiding power system miniaturization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rational design of electrodes is the key to achieving ultrahigh-power performance in electrochemical energy storage devices. Recently, we have constructed well-organized and integrated three-dimensional (3D) carbon tube (CT) grids (3D-CTGs) using a 3D porous anodic aluminum oxide template-assisted method as electrodes of electrical double-layer capacitors (EDLCs), showing excellent frequency response performance. The unique design warrants fast ion migration channels, excellent electronic conductivity, and good structural stability. This study achieved one of the highest carbon-based ultrahigh-power EDLCs with the 3D-CTG electrodes, resulting in ultrahigh power of 437 and 1708 W·cm−3 with aqueous and organic electrolytes, respectively. Capacitors constructed with these electrodes would have important application prospects in the ultrahigh-power output. The rational design and fabrication of the 3D-CTGs electrodes have demonstrated their capability to build capacitors with ultrahigh-power performance and open up new possibilities for applications requiring high-power output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the critical biological characteristics of human age, the face has been widely studied for age prediction, which has broad application prospects in the fields of commerce, security, entertainment, etc. Duo to complicated multi-latent heterogeneous features(e.g. gender) bring valuable messages for the image-based age estimation. A variety of methods utilize heterogeneous information for age estimation. However, heterogeneous features may have uncertain noise, and exploiting them without evaluating the reliability of confidence influence may impact the estimation accuracy. Inspired by the observation that gender has a noticeable impact on face at some particular age stage, this paper proposes a Feature Constraint Reinforcement Network (FCRN) to take advantage of constraint gender influence on the age estimation. The model extracts multi-scale latent heterogeneous features and deduces their confidence of influence upon age estimation methods. Specifically, it gets the gender and age features by classification and regression. Then, the model uses the gender factors extracted from the constraint gender features to reinforce and calculate the influence of different genders on age predictions among different age groups and improve the result of age prediction. Extensive experiments were conducted on the existing public aging datasets. The results show the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earthquake-triggered landslides (EQTLs) are affected by both seismogenic faults and topography. Using landslide data associated with the 2008 MW7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, the distribution characteristics of EQTLs were identified. And the influence of topographical changes and fault dip angle changes on the distribution of EQTLs was analyzed. Fault dip angle had a controlling impact on EQTL spatial distribution. When the dip angle increased, EQTL distribution was concentrated in a certain range on both sides of the fault and decayed rapidly with distance from the fault. When dip angle decreased, the hanging wall effect became more obvious, and the number of landslides on the hanging wall gradually decreased with distance from the fault. In terms of topography, EQTLs were closely related to relative elevation differences, forming a single peak for a local relief range of 400–1600 m. For > 70% of statistical units, EQTL density increased with local relief; the landslide distribution conformed to an exponential relationship with relief. Peak local relief and dominant local relief were highly negatively correlated with fault dip angle. Fault geometry and motion characteristics control the propagation of seismic waves, directly affecting the distribution of EQTLs; moreover, as tectonic activity controls local relief, it also indirectly affects the distribution of EQTLs. Our findings provide empirical evidence for the rapid assessment of EQTL distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurotransmitters play essential roles in regulating neural circuit dynamics both in the central nervous system as well as at the peripheral, including the gastrointestinal tract1–3. Their real-time monitoring will offer critical information for understanding neural function and diagnosing disease1–3. However, bioelectronic tools to monitor the dynamics of neurotransmitters in vivo, especially in the enteric nervous systems, are underdeveloped. This is mainly owing to the limited availability of biosensing tools that are capable of examining soft, complex and actively moving organs. Here we introduce a tissue-mimicking, stretchable, neurochemical biological interface termed NeuroString, which is prepared by laser patterning of a metal-complexed polyimide into an interconnected graphene/nanoparticle network embedded in an elastomer. NeuroString sensors allow chronic in vivo real-time, multichannel and multiplexed monoamine sensing in the brain of behaving mouse, as well as measuring serotonin dynamics in the gut without undesired stimulations and perturbing peristaltic movements. The described elastic and conformable biosensing interface has broad potential for studying the impact of neurotransmitters on gut microbes, brain–gut communication and may ultimately be extended to biomolecular sensing in other soft organs across the body.NeuroString, a tissue-like biological interface created by laser patterning of polyimide into a graphene/nanoparticle network embedded in an elastomer, is introduced, allowing in vivo real-time detection of neurotransmitters in the brain and gut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Next-generation light-emitting displays on skin should be soft, stretchable and bright1–7. Previously reported stretchable light-emitting devices were mostly based on inorganic nanomaterials, such as light-emitting capacitors, quantum dots or perovskites6–11. They either require high operating voltage or have limited stretchability and brightness, resolution or robustness under strain. On the other hand, intrinsically stretchable polymer materials hold the promise of good strain tolerance12,13. However, realizing high brightness remains a grand challenge for intrinsically stretchable light-emitting diodes. Here we report a material design strategy and fabrication processes to achieve stretchable all-polymer-based light-emitting diodes with high brightness (about 7,450 candela per square metre), current efficiency (about 5.3 candela per ampere) and stretchability (about 100 per cent strain). We fabricate stretchable all-polymer light-emitting diodes coloured red, green and blue, achieving both on-skin wireless powering and real-time displaying of pulse signals. This work signifies a considerable advancement towards high-performance stretchable displays.A material design strategy and fabrication process is described to produce all-polymer light-emitting diodes with high brightness, current efficiency and good mechanical stability, with applications in skin electronics and human–machine interfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Next-generation wearable electronics require enhanced mechanical robustness and device complexity. Besides previously reported softness and stretchability, desired merits for practical use include elasticity, solvent resistance, facile patternability and high charge carrier mobility. Here, we show a molecular design concept that simultaneously achieves all these targeted properties in both polymeric semiconductors and dielectrics, without compromising electrical performance. This is enabled by covalently-embedded in-situ rubber matrix (iRUM) formation through good mixing of iRUM precursors with polymer electronic materials, and finely-controlled composite film morphology built on azide crosslinking chemistry which leverages different reactivities with C–H and C=C bonds. The high covalent crosslinking density results in both superior elasticity and solvent resistance. When applied in stretchable transistors, the iRUM-semiconductor film retained its mobility after stretching to 100% strain, and exhibited record-high mobility retention of 1 cm2 V−1 s−1 after 1000 stretching-releasing cycles at 50% strain. The cycling life was stably extended to 5000 cycles, five times longer than all reported semiconductors. Furthermore, we fabricated elastic transistors via consecutively photo-patterning of the dielectric and semiconducting layers, demonstrating the potential of solution-processed multilayer device manufacturing. The iRUM represents a molecule-level design approach towards robust skin-inspired electronics. Next-generation skin-inspired electronics require enhanced mechanical robustness and device complexity including elasticity, solvent resistance, and facile patternability. Here, the authors show a molecular design concept that simultaneously achieves all these requirements by covalently linking an in-situ formed rubber matrix with polymer electronic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climatic variables are the main factors determining the crop productivity, and these undergo changes in the course of time. Though silicon (Si) is not an essential element for the plants, its significant role has been observed in various plant species. Use of silicon could stimulate plant growth and mitigate multiple stresses such as salinity, drought, heat, extreme temperature, metal toxicity and nutritional imbalance as well as the stress linked with changes in global climatic variables. Silicon can also delay leaf senescence. In addition, Si is not harmful to plants even when present in excess. Eco-friendly techniques would be needed for addressing the growing demands for food grains and other agricultural production. The use of Si would become a sustainable strategy for increasing crop yield, improving quality and mitigating abiotic stresses in the near future. This review highlights our current understanding on the use of silicon to mitigate abiotic stresses and enhance crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vinasse is the waste liquid of molasses fermentation for alcohol production from sugarcane mills. The adequate utilization and treatment for vinasse have received increasing attention. Among the alternatives considered for the reuse of vinasse, irrigation in sugarcane fields is most common solution. However, few researchers consider the impact on the soil fertility, soil heavy metals content and soil microbial diversity by long-term application of vinasse in the fields. In order to evaluate the cumulative impact arising from the long-term application of vinasse, different treatments, viz., (1) soils not irrigated with vinasse, (2) soil irrigated with vinasse for 2 years, (3) soil irrigated with vinasse for 7 years, (4) soil irrigated with vinasse for 13 years, (5) soil irrigated with vinasse for 18 years, have been applied to sugarcane fields in Shangsi County, Guangxi, China. The pH, organic matter, total and available N, P, K, the concentration of Cu, Pb, Cr, Zn, Ni, Cd and As, as well as the diversity of microbial community of the soil samples were determined. The results showed that after long-term irrigation by vinasse, soil acidification was observed, organic matter, N and K content increased, but no significant changes in the increase in P content were observed. The potential ecological risk of Cd, Cr, Pb, Zn, Cu, Ni and As was low, indicating that accumulation of heavy metals in the soil was negligible when long-term irrigation with vinasse was practiced. The diversity of microbial community expressed as relative abundance of the predominant species in irrigated soil was slightly reduced due to influence by the physicochemical properties of soil, especially soil pH. Consequently, the proper management of vinasse irrigation and periodic monitoring of soil quality parameters are required to ensure safe and long-term irrigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress induced by hemorrhagic shock (HS) initiates a systemic inflammatory response, which leads to subsequent kidney injury. This study assessed the efficacy of c-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) in attenuating kidney injury in a rat model of hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HS/R). Sodium pentobarbital-anesthetized adult male Wistar rats underwent HS induced by the withdrawal of blood to a mean arterial pressure of 30-35 mmHg for 50 min. Then, the animals received CNP (25 μg/kg) or vehicle (saline) intravenously, followed byresuscitation with 1.5 times the shed blood volume in the form of normal saline. Mean arterial pressure was measured throughout the experiment, and acid-base status, oxidative stress, inflammation, tissue injury and kidney function were evaluated after resuscitation. CNP infusion reduced the malondialdehyde content, lowered the myeloperoxidase activity and decreased the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β in the kidney. The histologic injury score and the plasma creatinine concentration were also significantly decreased after CNP treatment compared to the vehicle group. CNP treatment ameliorates oxidative stress, the inflammatory response, and consequently acute kidney injury after HS/R. Thus, CNP may represent a promising strategy to improve resuscitation for the treatment of HS and deserves further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high quality sugarcane original vinegar drink was produced from fresh sugarcane juice using the wine yeast and LB acetate bacteria by submerged alcoholic fermentation followed by acetic fermentation at room temperature. The quality parameters of vinegar was investigated during the process of submerged fermentation. It was observed that the alcoholic fermentation period of 9 to 20 days and an acetic fermentation period of 15 to 21 days each in succession, produced the sugarcane quality vinegar with 3.04 % (w/v) total acid and 4° alcoholicity. Besides the vinegar consisted of many saccharides (fructose, glucose, sucrose) and organic acids (oxalic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, acetic acid). The prominent ingredient of acetic acid ranged from 8.16 to 13.65 mg/g. Vinegar produced by this process yielded a yellow-brown colour with full wine aromas and cane flavour, mild and mellow, low-alcohol and strong odour of vinegar. The present study provides a new approach to process sugarcane byproducts, which contributes to the value-added production and processing of sugarcane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the potential effects of variation of HO-1 activity on hemorheology, this study compared the hemorheological properties between transgenic HO-1G143H mutant mice and wild-type (WT) control mice. Fresh blood samples were obtained from mice via the ocular venous sinus. The whole blood viscosity was measured using a cone-plate viscometer. Erythrocyte deformability and aggregation was measured using ektacytometry. The elongation index was significantly reduced in the HO-1G143H mutant mice compared to the WT mice at the shear rates of 600, 800, and 1,000 s. The integrated elongation index was decreased in the HO-1G143H mutant mice compared to the WT mice. There was no statistically significant difference between the HO-1G143H mutant mice and the WT mice in terms of whole blood viscosity, aggregation index, amplitude of aggregation, and aggregation half time. The present study demonstrated that a reduction in HO-1 activity results in an impaired erythrocyte deformability. Although the mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear, our study brings to light the participation of HO-1 in the variations of hemorheology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelial activation elicited by inflammatory agents is regarded as a key event in the pathogenesis of several vascular inflammatory diseases. In the present study, the inhibitory effects and underlying mechanism of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on LPS-induced endothelial activation were examined in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The effect of CNP on adhesion molecule expression was assessed using quantitative real-time RT-PCR and western blotting analyses. The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in LPS-stimulated HUVECs were investigated using western blotting analyses, and the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using a fluorescence method. Pretreatment with CNP inhibited LPS-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, and P-selectin in a concentration-dependent manner. CNP suppressed the phosphorylation of p65 and NF-κB activation in LPS-stimulated cells. Moreover, CNP reduced ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation induced by LPS but not JNK. Furthermore, CNP induced Akt phosphorylation and activation of hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. CNP significantly inhibited the production of intracellular ROS. These results suggest that CNP effectively attenuated LPS-induced endothelial activation by inhibiting the NF-κB and p38 signaling pathways, eliminating LPS-induced intracellular ROS production, and activating the PI3K/Akt/HO-1 pathway in HUVECs; thereby, demonstrating that CNP may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of sepsis and inflammatory vascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new low alcoholic drinks, was brewed from fresh sugarcane juice using different kinds of yeast, viz., wine yeast, Fali yeast and thermo-tolerant yeast by submerged alcoholic fermentation. The main characteristic parameters of fermented cane juice such as alcohol content, total sugars, total acids and reducing sugar were investigated during the process of alcoholic fermentation in order to evaluate the effect of yeasts on the quality of alcoholic drinks. The results showed that alcoholic fermentation period and the alcohol content of fermented cane juice ranged from 9 to 20 days and 2.8-4.8 %, respectively. With respect to sensory evaluation, the alcoholic drink obtained by using wine yeast was found suitable with yellow-brown colour, clear and brighter appearance, full wine and cane aromas and flavor. Its soft, mild, mellow and slightly sweet taste made it possible to be used as a beverage in dines. The results of this study concerning the use of sugarcane juice as one of raw materials could be promising for industrial fermentations of low alcoholic drinks production, and also provides a new approach to process sugarcane by-products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood viscosity plays an important role in maintaining vascular homeostasis. Under normal physiological conditions, blood viscosity is kept at a relatively stable level by a variety of regulatory mechanisms. However, under pathological conditions, disorders in these regulatory mechanisms mediated by endothelial cell dysfunction result in the pathogenesis and development of certain diseases, such as cardio-cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, and hemorrhagic shock. Therefore, monitoring and regulating blood viscosity are important for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of disease. This article reviews the role of blood viscosity regulation and its importance in disease prevention and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Interception of teicoplanin oxidation intermediates yields new antimicrobial scaffolds" that was published in the April 10, 2011 issue is presented.