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Topramezone, a benzyl ester pyrazolone herbicide, is a novel 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase-inhibiting (4-HPPD) inhibitor. In the present study, we evaluated the weed controlling spectrum, herbicidal activity, and safety of topramezone to sugarcane under greenhouse and field conditions. The results demonstrated that topramezone had reasonable control over the common grasses and broadleaf weeds in sugarcane. In the greenhouse experiment, topramezone at 36.0 g a.i./ha was highly effective (> 90%fresh weight control effect) against Eleusine indica, Cynodon dactylon, Amaranthus viridis, and Solanum nigrum, and displayed significantly higher activities than mesotrione. The selectivity indexes of topramezone in two sugarcane varieties (ROC22 and GT42) were 3.38–4.91 and 3.58–5.18 to Eleusine indica, Cynodon dactylon, Amaranthus viridis, and Solanum nigrum, which were significantly higher than those of mesotrione. According to the results of field experiments, when topramezone 30% SC was applied at 45 g a.i./ha, the total fresh weight inhibition rate was significantly higher than the control effect of other concentrations. However, the fresh weight inhibition rate of topramezone at 22.5 g a.i/ha, was not significantly different from mesotrione 25%SC at 300 g a.i./ha. This study indicated that the topramezone's control effect on the main weeds of the sugarcane field was significantly higher than that of mesotrione. At the experimental dose, topramezone was safer for Guangxi's two main sugarcane varieties, ROC22 and GT42. Therefore, topramezone could be used as one of the alternative agents for post-emergence herbicides in sugarcane fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracellular Ca2+ dysregulation is a key marker in septic cardiac dysfunction; however, regulation of the classic Ca2+ regulatory modules cannot successfully abolish this symptom. Here we show that the knockout of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channel isoforms TRPC1 and TRPC6 can ameliorate LPS-challenged heart failure and prolong survival in mice. The LPS-triggered Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum both in cardiomyocytes and macrophages is significantly inhibited by Trpc1 or Trpc6 knockout. Meanwhile, TRPC's molecular partner — calmodulin — is uncoupled during Trpc1 or Trpc6 deficiency and binds to TLR4's Pococurante site and atypical isoleucine-glutamine-like motif to block the inflammation cascade. Blocking the C-terminal CaM/IP3R binding domain in TRPC with chemical inhibitor could obstruct the Ca2+ leak and TLR4-mediated inflammation burst, demonstrating a cardioprotective effect in endotoxemia and polymicrobial sepsis. Our findings provide insight into the pathogenesis of endotoxemic cardiac dysfunction and suggest a novel approach for its treatment. TRPCs, nonselective cation channels, are involved in cardiac contraction and conduction. Here, the authors show that Trpc1/6 deficiency or pharmacological inhibition improves endotoxemic cardiac dysfunction and prolongs survival by prominently suppressing cardiac inflammation and ER Ca2+ release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canonical transient receptor potential channels (TRPCs) are nonselective, high calcium permeability cationic channels. The TRPCs family includes TRPC1, TRPC2, TRPC3, TRPC4, TRPC5, TRPC6, and TRPC7. These channels are widely expressed in the cardiovascular and nervous systems and exist in many other human tissues and cell types, playing several crucial roles in the human physiological and pathological processes. Hence, the emergence of TRPCs modulators can help investigate these channels' applications in health and disease. It is worth noting that the TRPCs subfamilies have structural and functional similarities, which presents a significant difficulty in screening and discovering of TRPCs modulators. In the past few years, only a limited number of selective modulators of TRPCs were detected; thus, additional research on more potent and more selective TRPCs modulators is needed. The present review focuses on the striking desired therapeutic effects of TRPCs modulators, which provides intel on the structural modification of TRPCs modulators and further pharmacological research. Importantly, TRPCs modulators can significantly facilitate future studies of TRPCs and TRPCs related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferrocenylcarboxylic acid Fe, Co, and Ni complexes were synthesized as model complexes to investigate how many ferrocene units of multi-ferrocenyl system can react with the electrode. The molecular structures of model complexes were characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, the diffusion coefficient of the complexes and ferrocene was determined by the diffusion-ordered spectroscopy and Einstein–Stokes equation, the electrode reaction numbers of ferrocene units were determined by cyclic voltammetry and the Randles–Sevcik equation. A model of electrode reaction of multi-ferrocenyl system was proposed in this paper, which was used to explore how many ferrocene units of multi-ferrocenyl complexes can react with the electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three tetranuclear heterometallic coordination compounds of the general formula [(CuL)2M(CuL·CH3OH)](ClO4)2 [(M = Mn(for 2), Co(for 3) and Ni(for 4)] were synthesized by the reaction of the precursor CuL·0.5H2O (1) (H2L = 2,3-dioxo-5,6:13,14-dibenzo-7,12-diphenyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-7,12-diene) with M(ClO4)2·6H2O under solvothermal conditions. The compounds were fully characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In addition, compound 2–4 were studied by magnetic susceptibility measurements. All three heterometallic compounds are isomorphous, and the central ions Mn(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) are connected to three CuL fragments via exo-cis oxamido bridges. Magnetic susceptibility studies of complexes 2–4 indicate the occurrence of antiferromagnetic coupling between the paramagnetic metals. The experimental data have been fitted according to the following Heisenberg Hamiltonian H ^ = - 2 J S ^ M (S ^ Cu 1 + S ^ Cu 2 + S ^ Cu 3) , leading to J = − 15.24 cm−1, gCu = 2.06, gMn = 1.96 for complex 2, J = − 22.58 cm−1, gCu = 2.1, gCo = 2.55 for complex 3, and J = − 108.2 cm−1, gCu = 2.09, gNi = 2.27 for complex 4, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that diet can affect the body’s immunity. Roughage of dairy cows consists of a variety of plant materials which make different contributions to health. This study investigated the effect of different roughages on the immunity of dairy cows. Serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and milk samples were collected from 20 multiparous mid-lactation cows fed mixed forage (MF)- or corn straw (CS)-based diets. Expression profile analysis was used to detect the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from PBMCs. The results showed that milk protein in the MF group increased to 3.22 g/100 ml, while that of the CS group milk was 2.96 g/100 ml; by RNA sequencing, it was found that 1615 genes were differentially expressed between the CS group and the MF group among the 24 027 analyzed probes. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway analysis of DEGs suggested that these genes (especially genes coding cytokines, chemokine and its receptors) are involved in the immune response. Results were confirmed at the protein level via detecting the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, leptin (LEP), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in peripheral blood by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay analysis. Our data supported the conclusions that the protein content in milk of the MF group was higher than that of the CS group, the CS-based diets induced more release of cytokines than the MF-based diets in dairy cows’ PBMCs, and milk protein content may be affected by cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolics, as the main bioactive compounds in tea, have been suggested to have potential in the prevention of various human diseases. However, little is known about phenolics and their bioactivity in Zhangping Narcissue tea cake which is considered the most special kind of oolong tea. To unveil its bioactivity, three phenolic-enriched extracts were obtained from Zhangping Narcissue tea cake using ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water. Their main chemical compositions and in vitro bioactivity were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and ultraperformance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). The ethyl acetate fraction (ZEF) consisted of higher content of phenolics, flavonoids, procyanidins, and catechin monomers (including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG), and gallocatechin gallate (GCG)) than n-butanol fraction (ZBF) and water fraction (ZWF). ZEF exhibited the strongest antioxidant capacity in vitro due to its abundant bioactive compounds. This was validated by Pearson correlation and hierarchical clustering analyses. ZEF also showed a remarkable inhibition on the growth, migration, and invasion of 4T1 murine breast cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TC4 thin-walled parts with curved surface are widely used in industrial applications, and the surface quality is a basic requirement to ensure the functional performance. Because of the low rigidity of thin-walled parts, the cutting vibration problem is commonly encountered which results in a bad surface quality. Meanwhile, the rigidity of the workpiece is continuously changing along with the cutting process which is sensitive to the thin-walled parts and induces a more complex cutting vibration. With the extensive usage of high-speed milling which has the advantage of small milling force, the cutting vibration becomes more severe due to the high frequency excitation for the thin-walled parts. To avoid the serious cutting vibration as well as improve the machining quality for high-speed milling of TC4 thin-walled parts with curved surface, the appropriate cutting parameters which influence cutting vibration directly are needed to be determined. Taking high-speed flank milling of TC4 arc-shaped thin-walled parts as an example, the stable domain is worked out on considering the rigidity variation of thin-walled parts. Meanwhile, the limit stable axial cutting depth is obtained based on the stability domain which is established by considering the rigidity variation of workpiece along with the machining process. The results show that the limit stable axial cutting depth is 9.69 mm, and the stable cutting process as well as the high-efficiency machining can be guaranteed simultaneously when selecting the axial cutting depth that is slightly smaller than the limit value. This research puts forward an effective approach for recognizing the stable axial cutting depth range for high-speed milling of thin-walled parts with curved surface. In addition, it provides guidance for superior-quality and high-efficiency machining process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parts with rapidly varied geometric features are often key components in high-end equipment and are difficult to process because of the special structures and the strict requirements. Due to the existence of rapidly varied geometric features and the moving characteristic of continuous-path running, the trajectory error will be formed during machining process, which seriously restricts the machining accuracy of such parts. Additionally, the formative trajectory error is more non-ignorable in high-feed-speed machining. Existing studies can hardly reduce this error for arbitrary free-form trajectories without sacrificing of the machining efficiency. Consequently, aiming at reducing this error thus improving the processing efficiency and precision, the estimation and compensation methods for the trajectory error in high-feed-speed continuous-path machining are proposed. The actual reachable feed speed is recognized based on geometry and drive constraints of the numerical control (NC) machine tool. The continuous-path running trajectory error is estimated by approximating the desired toolpath with spline curves. The error compensation approach by combining the mirror compensation and the Taylor's expansion compensation is provided. The advantage of the proposed approach is that the continuous-path running trajectory error can be easily estimated and compensated only by analyzing and modifying the NC codes, which means an extensive feasibility for free-form toolpaths. Experimental results demonstrate the favorable performance of the proposed methods. This study provides an effective approach for reducing the multi-axis high-speed machining trajectory error and is significant for improving the machining precision and efficiency of the parts with rapidly varied geometric features in engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many real-world networks such as the protein-protein interaction networks and metabolic networks often display nontrivial correlations between degrees of vertices connected by edges. Here, we analyse the statistical methods used usually to describe the degree correlation in the networks, and analytically give linear relation in the degree correlation. It provides a simple and interesting perspective on the analysis of the degree correlation in networks, which is usefully complementary to the existing methods for degree correlation in networks. Especially, the slope in the linear relation corresponds exactly to the degree correlation coefficient in networks, meaning that it can not only characterize the level of degree correlation in networks, but also reflects the speed that the average nearest neighbours' degree varies with the vertex degree. Finally, we applied our results to several real-world networks, validating the conclusions of the linear analysis of degree correlation. We hope that the work in this paper can be helpful for further understanding the degree correlation in complex networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study achieves the total synthesis of a new proline-rich cyclic heptapeptide as an inhibitor of nitric oxide production in LPS-stimulated murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells, where all the amino acids are of L-configuration. A general method was described to synthesize the cyclic peptide by a two-step solid-phase/solution synthesis strategy. The linear octapeptide was assembled by standard Fmoc chemistry in the solid phase. Subsequently cyclization was achieved by the solution method. The final product was purified by preparative RP-HPLC, and its structure was identified by HR-QTOF-MS, H NMR, and C NMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropathic pain results from nerve injury and is one of the most refractory disorders. Recently, many studies reported that glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) exhibited potent analgesic effects, but the underlying mechanisms still remain unknown. In addition to the classical GDNF-GFRα1-Ret pathway, GDNF can bind to adhesion proteins such as E-cadherin and NCAM via GFRα1 in a Ret-independent way. In this study, we aimed to examine whether the adhesion protein nectin-1 and its downstream protein c-Src are involved in neuropathic pain. We found that nectin-1 was expressed in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord and that it was increased after chronic constrictive injury (CCI). Intrathecal administration of nectin-1 siRNA attenuated neuropathic pain induced by CCI via interference of the expression of nectin-1. Furthermore, we found that GDNF can downregulate the phosphorylation level of nectin-1-associated c-Src without changing the expression level of nectin-1. In summary, these data suggest that nectin-1 is involved in neuropathic pain, and that GDNF exerts analgesic effects by directly or indirectly regulating nectin-1/c-Src signaling. These findings may lead to a new target for the treatment of neuropathic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the machining process is remarkably influenced by the cutting force, its prediction is of great significance. For most of the commonly used cutting force prediction models, they are no longer applicable once the workpiece material is altered. Consequently, a new ball-end milling force prediction method with the consideration of the workpiece material properties is presented in this study for difficult-to-machine materials in high-speed milling. Based on differential and oblique cutting mechanisms, the metal cutting process in this method is taken as the linear superposition of a series of differential oblique cutting processes. With laboring the force-loading status of rake face, the yield strength, the heat conductivity, and the plasticity of the material which are the most important factors to influence cutting force are involved as the input elements. Furthermore, the interaction between material properties and machining conditions is also introduced to broadened the scope of applications of this method. In accordance with specific needs, an inverse method using the average cutting force of a single disk after cutting edge discretization is proposed to obtain the specific coefficients, and the cutter engagement is determined by Z-map method. Finally, the comparison between the simulated result and the experimental result confirms the effectiveness of the presented method for different difficult-to-machine materials in high-speed milling based on slot milling and curved surface milling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Difficult-to-machine material thin-walled parts with curved surface are widely used in industrial applications, and the shape accuracy is a basic requirement for ensuring the usability. Due to the low rigidity of the thin-walled curved surface parts, the cutting force becomes a sensitive factor for the machining deformation. In addition, high speed milling, that has an obvious attribute of small cutting force comparing with the traditional one, provides an effective way to process the thin-walled curved surface parts made by difficult-to-machine materials like titanium alloy. Moreover, the rigidity of the thin-walled curved surface parts is constantly changing along with the machining process, which leads to a more complex machining deformation when choosing different tool paths and affects the machining quality. To reduce the machining deformation, a proper cutting parameters combination which influences the machining deformation directly is obtained based on the established cutting force model, and then a deformation control strategy by planning tool path is put forward. At the same time, an efficient compensation method based on modifying cutter location point is proposed. Taking TC4 thin-walled arc-shaped parts as an example, experimental studies indicate that the largest deformation values reduce to 49 μm after compensation. Compared with the former 104 μm, the deformation degree decreases by 52.88 % when the thickness of the thin wall is 200 μm. The research provides an effective approach to reduce the machining deformation induced error for difficult-to-machine material thin-walled parts with curved surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high-speed milling technology for difficult-to-machine material has come to be a hotspot in the industry field. Regarding the high-speed milling of Inconel 718 parts with curved surface, the variation of the geometric features of the curved surface will lead to the sharp fluctuation of the cutting force as well as the vibration of machine tool. In this way, it not only makes a severe impact on the surface machining quality and the tool life but also greatly affects the efficiency of the high-speed milling. For the milling force is an important physical concept to comprehensively reflect the milling process and the cutting speed is one of the main factors that affect the cutting force when the cutting volume is small in the high-speed milling of Inconel 718 parts with curved surface, a new cutting force modeling method is proposed based on the geometric characteristics of the curved surface and the spindle speed, which can be used to predict the cutting force fluctuation under different cutting speed. The experimental results show that the proposed cutting force model can effectively forecast the amplitude and the change trend of the cutting force. The achievements of this study will provide the theoretical basis for the optimization of machining parameters in high-speed milling of curved surface with difficult-to-machine material and enrich the processing and manufacturing theory for parts with curved surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study aims at synthesizing a thermosensitive hydrogel for controlled release of insulin. According to a modified method, hydroxybutyl chitosan (HBC) hydrogel possessed thermal sensitivity is prepared which can form hydrogel at over 25°C. The HBC hydrogel is non-cytotoxic to mice fibroblasts cells (L929). Insulin is 100% entrapped in the hydrogel, 38% of which is released in vitro from the concentration of 5% hydrogel after 48 h, whereas by enzymolysis with lysozyme, 80% of the total insulin is released after 48 h. This study suggests that HBC hydrogel could be utilized for controlled release of insulin in a non-invasive manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel algorithm for vehicle average velocity detection through automatic and dynamic camera calibration based on dark channel in homogenous fog weather condition is presented in this paper. Camera fixed in the middle of the road should be calibrated in homogenous fog weather condition, and can be used in any weather condition. Unlike other researches in velocity calculation area, our traffic model only includes road plane and vehicles in motion. Painted lines in scene image are neglected because sometimes there are no traffic lanes, especially in un-structured traffic scene. Once calibrated, scene distance will be got and can be used to calculate vehicles average velocity. Three major steps are included in our algorithm. Firstly, current video frame is recognized to discriminate current weather condition based on area search method (ASM). If it is homogenous fog, average pixel value from top to bottom in the selected area will change in the form of edge spread function (ESF). Secondly, traffic road surface plane will be found by generating activity map created by calculating the expected value of the absolute intensity difference between two adjacent frames. Finally, scene transmission image is got by dark channel prior theory, camera's intrinsic and extrinsic parameters are calculated based on the parameter calibration formula deduced from monocular model and scene transmission image. In this step, several key points with particular transmission value for generating necessary calculation equations on road surface are selected to calibrate the camera. Vehicles' pixel coordinates are transformed to camera coordinates. Distance between vehicles and the camera will be calculated, and then average velocity for each vehicle is got. At the end of this paper, calibration results and vehicles velocity data for nine vehicles in different weather conditions are given. Comparison with other algorithms verifies the effectiveness of our algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel 0.1% Pd-0.05% (mass fraction) Pt/stainless steel wire mesh catalyst was prepared for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) elimination. The catalyst was synthesized by stainless steel wire mesh as support and then treated by anodic oxidation technology to develop a porous membrane on the support. During the anodic oxidation process, various electrolytes were used to investigate the formation of porous membrane. And the catalytic performance of the catalysts was tested by using toluene and acetone combustion as model reaction. The temperatures of complete toluene and acetone conversion were decreased to 180 °C and 240 °C, respectively. The morphologies of the stainless steel wire mesh supports and catalysts were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under high-speed strain, the thermogenesis performance of natural rubber products is unstable, leading to aging and early failure of the material. The quality of rubber latex and eventually that of the final products depends among others on the protein content. We found that when the protein is almost removed, the heat generated by the vulcanized rubber increases rapidly. After adding soy protein isolate to the secondary purification rubber, the heat generation of the vulcanized rubber is reduced, and the heat generation is the lowest when the added amount is 2.5–3.0 phr, which on account of protein promotes the construction of a vulcanization network and increases the rigidity of the rubber chain, resulting in a decrease in the potential frictional behavior of the rubber chain during the curl up-extension process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]