Search

Although neighborhood rough set(NRS) based attribute reduction methods have achieved excellent performance in many scenarios, the efficiency and robustness of these methods have not attracted much attention. In this study, we propose a fast fixed granular-ball model (FFGB) for attribute reduction in label noise environments. In FFGB, we propose a fast neighborhood search mechanism to improve the efficiency of NRS. This fast mechanism reduces the neighborhood search range from the universe to a neighborhood and reduces the time complexity of the neighborhood calculation to much less than O (n 2) . Based on the fast mechanism, we propose FFGB model whose definitions are relaxed to be robust to against label noise. In addition, a FFGB attribute reduction algorithm is designed. Finally, we apply the FFGB attribute reduction to medical diagnosis. The experimental results indicate that FFGB is more efficient and robust than the comparison methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In superconductors possessing both time and inversion symmetries, the Zeeman effect of an external magnetic field can break the time-reversal symmetry, forming a conventional Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state characterized by Cooper pairings with finite momentum1,2. In superconductors lacking (local) inversion symmetry, the Zeeman effect may still act as the underlying mechanism of FFLO states by interacting with spin–orbit coupling (SOC). Specifically, the interplay between the Zeeman effect and Rashba SOC can lead to the formation of more accessible Rashba FFLO states that cover broader regions in the phase diagram3–5. However, when the Zeeman effect is suppressed because of spin locking in the presence of Ising-type SOC, the conventional FFLO scenarios are no longer effective. Instead, an unconventional FFLO state is formed by coupling the orbital effect of magnetic fields with SOC, providing an alternative mechanism in superconductors with broken inversion symmetries6–8. Here we report the discovery of such an orbital FFLO state in the multilayer Ising superconductor 2H-NbSe2. Transport measurements show that the translational and rotational symmetries are broken in the orbital FFLO state, providing the hallmark signatures of finite-momentum Cooper pairings. We establish the entire orbital FFLO phase diagram, consisting of a normal metal, a uniform Ising superconducting phase and a six-fold orbital FFLO state. This study highlights an alternative route to achieving finite-momentum superconductivity and provides a universal mechanism to preparing orbital FFLO states in similar materials with broken inversion symmetries.The discovery of an orbital Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov state in the multilayer Ising superconductor 2H-NbSe2, in which the translational and rotational symmetries are broken, enables the preparation of such states in other materials with broken inversion symmetries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3-Chloro-1, 2-propanediol (3-MCPD) is a food-borne toxic substance well-known for more than 40 years that is mainly associated with nephrotoxicity. A better understanding of 3-MCPD nephrotoxicity is required to devise efficacious strategies to counteract its toxicity. In the present work, the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress along with its underlying regulatory mechanism in 3-MCPD-mediated renal cytotoxicity was investigated in vivo and in vitro. Our data indicated that 3-MCPD-stimulated ER stress response evidenced by sustained activation of PERK-ATF4-p-CHOP and IRE1 branches in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and human embryonic kidney (HEK293) cells. Moreover, ER stress-associated specific apoptotic initiator, caspase 12, was over-expressed. Blocking ER stress with its antagonist, 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA), improved the morphology and function of kidney effectively. 4-PBA also increased cell viability, relieved mitochondrial vacuolation, and inhibited cell apoptosis through regulating caspase-dependent intrinsic apoptosis pathways. Furthermore, the enhanced expressions of two mitochondrial fission proteins, DRP1/p-DRP1 and FIS1, and the relocation of DRP1 on mitochondria subjected to 3-MPCD were reversed by 4-PBA, while the expression of the fusion protein, MFN2, was restored. Moreover, cellular Ca2+ overload, the over-expression of CaMKK2, and the loss of mitochondria-associated membranes (MAM) were also relieved after 4-PBA co-treatment. Collectively, our data emphasized that ER stress plays critical role in 3-MCPD-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent apoptosis as well as blockage of ER stress ameliorated kidney injury through improving mitochondrial fission/fusion and Ca2+ homeostasis. These findings provide a novel insight into the regulatory role of ER stress in 3-MCPD-associated nephropathy and a potential therapeutic strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu2SnS3, as a modified material for high-capacity tin-based anodes, has great potential for lithium-ion battery applications. The solvothermal method is simple, convenient, cost-effective, and easy to scale up, and has thus been widely used for the preparation of nanocrystals. In this work, Cu2SnS3 nanoparticles were prepared by the solvothermal method. The effects of high-temperature annealing on the morphology, crystal structure, and electrochemical performance of a Cu2SnS3 nano-anode were studied. The experimental results indicate that high-temperature annealing improves the electrochemical performance of Cu2SnS3, resulting in higher initial coulombic efficiency and improved cycling and rate characteristics compared with those of the as-prepared sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we designed and fabricated a poling-free piezoelectric nanogenerator using bio-based polymer and filler, a poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA)/vitamin B2 (VB2) composite film. The addition of VB2 to PLLA led to improved crystallinity and enhanced the molecular orientation of PLLA, resulting in a significantly enhanced output performance of the PLLA/VB2 nanogenerator. The proposed nanogenerator provides a maximum power density of 75.68 mW cm−3, which is approximately 28.7 times higher than that of pure PLLA nanogenerator. Moreover, the PLLA/VB2 nanogenerator exhibits good electrical responses under both mechanical and acoustic stimulations. The collected mechanical energy from the motion of human joints can power up several LEDs. The PLLA/VB2 nanogenerator can sensitively detect sound frequency from 1 to 27 kHz. Thus, it has great application potential in ambient mechanical and acoustic energy harvesting, wearable devices, and human–machine controlling systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Freshness is an important parameter for evaluating the quality of pork, which has strong correlation with the characteristic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in meat. In this study, the pork was stored at a refrigerator, and the VOCs were determined by using headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The results of HS-SPME-GC-MS measurements were compared to total viable counts, total volatile basic nitrogen, and pH value to determine possible volatile spoilage markers. The pork was stored in a refrigerator up to 5 days at 4 °C and 466 days at −18 °C. The pork became stale at 4 °C when the 2,3-butanedione, 3-methyl butyraldehyde, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and acetoin increased to 26.44, 13.72, 71.56, and 340.48 μg/L, respectively. These substances can be seen as characteristic compounds of stale pork. The VOCs such as ethyl acetate, ethyl propionate, ethyl butyrate, and ethyl hexanoate had negative correlation (P < 0.05) with the pork freshness, which can be potentially considered as characteristic compounds of fresh pork. Therefore, the selected VOCs can be used as indicators for evaluation of pork freshness, and VOCs could be potentially applied in the development of intelligent refrigerators and refrigerated storehouse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh-cut lettuce has a short shelf life since it is very perishable and susceptible to enzymatic browning. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of allicin treatment in prolonging the shelf life of fresh-cut lettuce ( Lactuca sativa L. var. angustana Irish). Fresh-cut lettuce slices were treated with water (control), 0.2 and 1 % of allicin solutions, respectively, and stored at 4 °C, >90 % relative humidity. Sensory parameters, microbiological indicators, and physiological indices were determined at 0, 2, 4, and 6 days of storage. The sensory analyses revealed that allicin inhibited the color change and maintained the visual quality of lettuce slice without impairing flavor. Allicin treatment delayed microbial growth at cold storage, as evidenced by the lowered total viable counts (decreased by 2.52 log cfu/g) and yeast and mold counts (decreased by 1.59 log cfu/g) after 6 days in 1 % allicin-treated samples compared to control samples. In addition, differences between lettuce treated with 1 % allicin and control slices in objective color (total color change, chrome, and hue angle), total phenolic compounds and quinones content, activities of browning-related enzymes, and antioxidative enzymes suggested that allicin had antioxidative properties. Conclusively, it was demonstrated for the first time that allicin effectively protected fresh-cut lettuce from tissue browning and microbiological spoilage. These findings indicate that allicin has great potential as a natural additive to extend the shelf life of fresh-cut lettuce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The WRKY transcription factors have been implicated in multiple biological processes in plants, especially in regulating defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. However, little information is available about the WRKYs in tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum). The recent release of the whole-genome sequence of tomato allowed us to perform a genome-wide investigation for tomato WRKY proteins, and to compare these positively identified proteins with their orthologs in model plants, such as Arabidopsis and rice. In the present study, based on the recently released tomato whole-genome sequences, we identified 81 SlWRKY genes that were classified into three main groups, with the second group further divided into five subgroups. Depending on WRKY domains' sequences derived from tomato, Arabidopsis and rice, construction of a phylogenetic tree demonstrated distinct clustering and unique gene expansion of WRKY genes among the three species. Genome mapping analysis revealed that tomato WRKY genes were enriched on several chromosomes, especially on chromosome 5, and 16 % of the family members were tandemly duplicated genes. The tomato WRKYs from each group were shown to share similar motif compositions. Furthermore, tomato WRKY genes showed distinct temporal and spatial expression patterns in different developmental processes and in response to various biotic and abiotic stresses. The expression of 18 selected tomato WRKY genes in response to drought and salt stresses and Pseudomonas syringae invasion, respectively, was validated by quantitative RT-PCR. Our results will provide a platform for functional identification and molecular breeding study of WRKY genes in tomato and probably other Solanaceae plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I-III-VI2 compounds have shown great interests in the application of functional semiconductors. Among them, Cu(In,Ga)S2 has been a promising candidate due to its excellent optoelectronic properties. Although the polymorphs of Cu(In,Ga)S2 have been attracted extensive attentions, the efforts to developing the methodologies for phase-controlled synthesis of them are rare. In this paper, we reported a phase-selective synthesis of CIGS nanoparticles with metastable phases via simply changing the composition of solvents. For the wet chemistry synthesis, the microstructure of the initial nuclei is decisive to the crystal structure of final products. In the formation of Cu(In,Ga)S2, the solvent environment is the key factor, which could affect the coordination of monomers and influence the thermodynamic conditions of Cu-S nucleation. Moreover, wurtzite and zincblende Cu(In,Ga)S2 nanoparticles are selectively prepared by choosing pure en or its mixture with deionized water as reaction solvent. The as-synthesized wurtzite Cu(In,Ga)S2 possess a band gap of 1.6 eV and a carrier mobility of 4.85 cm2/Vs, which indicates its potential to construct a heterojunction with hexagonal-structured CdS for solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cronobacter sakazakii is a foodborne pathogen associated with fatal forms of necrotizing enterocolitis, meningitis and sepsis in neonates and infants. The aim of this study was to determine whether citral, a major component of lemongrass oil, could suppress putative virulence factors of C. sakazakii that contribute to infection. Sub-inhibitory concentrations of citral significantly decreased motility, quorum sensing, biofilm formation and endotoxin production. Citral substantially reduced the adhesion and invasion of C. sakazakii to Caco-2 cells and decreased bacterial survival and replication within the RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Citral also repressed the expression of eighteen genes involved in the virulence. These findings suggest that citral has potential to be developed as an alternative or supplemental agent to mitigate the infections caused by C. sakazakii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]