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Watercore is a common physiological disorder in pear and is closely related to excessive accumulation of sorbitol and sucrose. Our previous research found the watercore incidence of ‘Akibae’ (Pyrus pyrifolia cv. Akibae) fruit significantly decreased after boron application (BA). Moreover, foliar spray of boric acid also significantly improved fruit quality. To uncover the mechanisms underlying pear fruit response to BA, a comprehensive transcriptome analysis was performed in this study. Transcriptome results revealed a total of 3146 up-regulated and 1145 down-regulated differently expressed genes (DEGs) between control and treated fruits of ‘Akibae’ pear, respectively. BA significantly induced expression of sorbitol metabolism and sucrose metabolism genes. Besides, BA also increased the expression of starch degradation, fatty acid synthesis, IAA (indole-3-acetic acid) degradation, GA (gibberellin acid) synthesis and inhibit the expression of ethylene synthesis genes. Overall, these findings suggested that BA alleviated ‘Akibae’ watercore occurrence and improve fruit quality by regulating the decrease of sorbitol and sucrose, increased of fatty acid and a balance of plant hormone. Our results provided further information for understanding the molecular mechanism of the effect of boron application on pear fruit.

Background To evaluate the feasibility of and identify problems in treating complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment using foldable capsular buckle scleral buckling. Methods This prospective clinical study enrolled five patients with complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treated with foldable capsular buckle scleral buckling at the 988th Hospital of People’s Liberation Army Joint Logistic Force, China. During the 24-week follow-up period, the patients underwent measurements of their best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp examination, indirect ophthalmoscopy, and visual field testing. Additionally, B-ultrasound and fundus photography of the patients’ retinal reattachments helped evaluate the treatment’s post-surgery efficacy. We determined the safety of foldable capsular buckle scleral buckling based on infection, eye pain, diplopia, elevated intraocular pressure, and other postoperative severe complications. Results All five patients’ complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachments were successfully treated and evaluated via B-ultrasound and fundus photography after surgery. Visual acuity was enhanced in four patients 24 weeks after surgery, while the remaining patients developed diplopia after surgery. No other complications were observed. Conclusion This pilot study preliminarily determined that foldable capsular buckle scleral buckling is feasible for efficient and safe treatment of complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. These results support this surgery as a potential and novel alternative to current extraocular procedures for treating complex rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. Trial registration The prospective observational clinical study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee and registered at the clinical research center in the 988th Hospital of People’s Liberation Army Joint Logistic Force, China (9,882,019,000).

Both strigolactones (SLs) and nitric oxide (NO) are regulatory signals with diverse roles during stress responses. At present, the interaction and mechanism of SLs and NO in tomato salt tolerance remain unclear. In the current study, tomato 'Micro-Tom' was used to study the roles and interactions of SLs and NO in salinity stress tolerance. The results show that 15 μM SLs synthetic analogs GR24 and 10 μM NO donor S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) promoted seedling growth under salt stress. TIS108 (an inhibitor of strigolactone synthesis) suppressed the positive roles of NO in tomato growth under salt stress, indicating that endogenous SLs might be involved in NO-induced salt response in tomato seedlings. Meanwhile, under salt stress, GSNO or GR24 treatment induced the increase of endogenous SLs content in tomato seedlings. Moreover, GR24 or GSNO treatment effectively increased the content of chlorophyll, carotenoids and ascorbic acid (ASA), and enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase), glutathione reductase (GR) and cleavage dioxygenase (CCD) enzyme. Additionally, GSNO or GR24 treatment also up-regulated the expression of SLs synthesis genes (SlCCD7, SlCCD8, SlD27 and SlMAX1) and its signal transduction genes (SlD14 and SlMAX2) in tomato seedlings under salt stress. While, a strigolactone synthesis inhibitor TIS108 blocked the increase of endogenous SLs, chlorophyll, carotenoids and ASA content, and antioxidant enzyme, GR, CCD enzyme activity and SLs-related gene expression levels induced by GSNO. Thus, SLs may play an important role in NO-enhanced salinity tolerance in tomato seedlings by increasing photosynthetic pigment content, enhancing antioxidant capacity and improving endogenous SLs synthesis.

Background Methane (CH4) and brassinosteroids (BRs) are important signaling molecules involved in a variety of biological processes in plants. Results Here, marigold (Tagetes erecta L. ‘Marvel’) was used to investigate the role and relationship between CH4 and BRs during adventitious root (AR) formation. The results showed a dose-dependent effect of CH4 and BRs on rooting, with the greatest biological effects of methane-rich water (MRW, CH4 donor) and 2,4-epibrassinolide (EBL) at 20% and 1 μmol L− 1, respectively. The positive effect of MRW on AR formation was blocked by brassinoazole (Brz, a synthetic inhibitor of EBL), indicating that BRs might be involved in MRW-regulated AR formation. MRW promoted EBL accumulation during rooting by up-regulating the content of campestanol (CN), cathasterone (CT), and castasterone (CS) and the activity of Steroid 5α-reductase (DET2), 22α-hydroxylase (DWF4), and BR-6-oxidase (BR6ox), indicating that CH4 could induce endogenous brassinolide (BR) production during rooting. Further results showed that MRW and EBL significantly down-regulated the content of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin during rooting and significantly up-regulated the hydrolase activity, i.e. cmcase, xylanase and laccase. In addition, MRW and EBL also significantly promoted the activity of two major cell wall relaxing factors, xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) and peroxidase, which in turn promoted AR formation. While, Brz inhibited the role of MRW on these substances. Conclusions BR might be involved in CH4-promoted AR formation by increasing cell wall relaxation.

Cu-based quaternary chalcogenide compounds have been thermoelectric topic of interest among researchers, especially in recent years, due to their intrinsically low thermal conductivity. Recently plenty of work is done on thermoelectric properties of Cu2ZnSnSe4-based alloys emphasizing on importance of Cu2ZnSnSe4-based alloys in thermoelectric power generation. In this study, we report the effect of annealing temperature on microstructure and thermoelectric properties of Cu2.1Zn0.9SnSe4 alloys. Cu2.1Zn0.9SnSe4 compounds were synthesized by high-temperature melting followed by annealing at four different temperatures (600 °C, 650 °C, 700 °C and 725 °C). X-ray diffraction combined with Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Cu2ZnSnSe4 phase along with ZnSe and CuSe secondary phases. The increased annealing temperature critically affected the microstructure of Cu2.1Zn0.9SnSe4 alloys. Successive increase in annealing temperature subsequently increases the average grain size from 7.3 for 600 sample to 12.1 μm for 725 °C sample by shifting grain size distribution toward higher range. Increased grain size results in reduced carrier scattering and decreases the electrical resistivity eventually improving power factor and maximum power factor of about 400 μWk−2 m−1 is obtained for 725 °C sample. Besides, the increased annealing temperature resulted in increased thermal conductivity attributing increased grain size resulting in low phonon scattering. 725 °C sample shows highest power factor and moderate thermal conductivity among all the samples which resulted in highest value of figure of merit for 725 °C sample of about 0.1 at 673 K.

Cadmium (Cd) stress can cause system disorders in plants, affect the absorption of some nutrients. The roles and their relationship of salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in adventitious root formation (ARF) of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) under Cd stress were studied. The results showed that the exogenous SA and H2O2 in enhancing ARF in cucumber explants under Cd stress was concentration-dependent, with an optimal biological effect at 0.1 µM SA or 50 µM H2O2. Under Cd stress, SA-induced ARF was significantly reversed by H2O2 scavenger and inhibitor, indicating that endogenous H2O2 may be involved in SA-induced ARF under Cd stress. In addition, endogenous H2O2 levels were also promoted by SA in cucumber explants. The application of SA promoted pectin content and decreased pectin methylesterification degree under Cd stress. Moreover, we founded that SA and SA + H2O2 up-regulated the expression level of CsQUA and CsPME under Cd stress, respectively. However, the application of H2O2 scavenger and inhibitor could significantly reverse the effects of SA on the expression of the above genes. These results suggested that SA might play an important role in ARF in cucumber under Cd stress via enhancing endogenous H2O2 levels.

Urban rivers play an important role in maintaining the urban aquatic ecological environment, and there are bound to be differences in the water environment quality and pollution sources due to different locations of urban rivers. Therefore, this paper selects the urban river (Tuo River) and the suburban river (Bian River) in Suzhou City, Anhui, China, as the research objects. Based on the understanding of the hydrogeochemical characteristics of these two rivers, the self-organizing map is used to identify the main control factors that affect the water quality of the two rivers. The results showed that both the Bian river and Tuo river were weakly alkaline. The average content of conventional ions in Tuo river is less than that of Bian river (except HCO3−); the water of Bian river was of Na–SO4–Cl type, and the water of Tuo river was mainly of Na–HCO3 type, with the minority was of Na–SO4–Cl type; Silicate weathering is an important source of conventional ions in the water of these two rivers; agricultural non-point source pollution is the main source of pollutants in Bian river, while Tuo river was mainly affected by natural factors, and human activities had little impact.

Compared with widely studied lead halide perovskite, copper halide perovskite is toxic-free and combines better stability with comparable photoluminescence quantum yield. Cation doping has proven to be an effective way to manipulate optical and electronic properties of perovskite. Unlike lead halide perovskite able to act as the host of different kinds of dopant, copper halide perovskite acting as host material is still a great challenge. Herein, Mn was successfully doped into Cs $$_3$$ Cu $$_2$$ I $$_5$$ under room temperature via solid-state reaction. In addition to original self-trapped emission of Cs $$_3$$ Cu $$_2$$ I $$_5$$ at 445 nm, Mn dopant introduced characteristic emission at $$\sim $$ 550 nm and realized dual color emission tuned by feeding ratio, extending chroma of Cs $$_3$$ Cu $$_2$$ I $$_5$$ in blue region. Meanwhile, ultraviolet photo-electron spectra results confirmed that Mn $$^{2+}$$ ion replacing Cu $$^+$$ resulted in p-type doping in Cs $$_3$$ Cu $$_2$$ I $$_5$$ . The as-prepared Mn:Cs $$_3$$ Cu $$_2$$ I $$_5$$ microcrystals show excellent stability with almost unchanged PL intensity within 15 days. Synthesis of p-type Mn:Cs3Cu2I5 with dual-color emission through room-temperature grinding method.

In this paper, the 36 topsoil (0–10 cm) samples were collected and the contents of Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd and Pb were analyzed. The results indicated that the contents of Cu and As in all samples exceeded the soil background values of Anhui province, while the Co and Pb contents were lower than the background values. Geo-statistics and positive matrix factorization were applied to identify the sources of soil heavy metals, which were nature factor (15.7%), industrial activities (21.2%), coal mine (50.9%) and traffic emission (12.2%), respectively. The calculation results of health risk model based on positive matrix factorization model showed that coal mine activities accounted for the largest proportion of total source contribution, followed by industrial activities. In addition, compared with adults, the trend of health risk of children from four sources in three lands were same as adults, but their health risk was higher than adults.

SnO2 microbelt coating carbon composite was fabricated via electrospinning precursor, thermal treatment, and polymer adhesion process. Primarily, the solvent of electrospinning jet quickly evaporates in a relatively high-temperature environment; intermediate microtubules simultaneously form when the solute containing tin salt and binder converge on the skin of the jet; then, the microtubules collapse into flat microbelt product under the action of atmospheric pressure. Subsequently, SnO2 microbelts can be obtained by annealing the electrospinning products. Finally, the SnO2@C microbelts are synthesized by dopamine polymerization and carbonization process. The SnO2@C microbelts present a regular strip with width ~ 1.2 μm and thickness ~ 120 nm. Because of the synergy effect of carbon coating and SnO2 microbelt design project, the composite shows superior lithium storage of 504 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles at 0.2 A g-1. The SnO2@C microbelts are expected to be competitive alternative anode material of next-generation LIBs.

In this work, fibrous TiO2@g-C3N4 nanocomposites (FTGCNCs) were used as a new adsorbent of dispersive micro-solid phase extraction for speciation of antimony in cow milk, including Sb(III), Sb(V), residual, digestible, and total Sb. Samples were prepared with artificial gastric juice to achieve bioaccessible species of elements before ICP-MS determination. Besides, adsorption behaviors of Sb(III) and Sb(V) on FTGCNCs were investigated. The results showed that Sb(III) was quantitatively adsorbed on FTGCNCs in the pH range of 2.0–4.0, while Sb(V) remained in aqueous phase. Sb(III) adsorbed on FTGCNCs was eluted completely with 1.5 mol L−1 HNO3 solution. The assay of Sb(V) was based on subtracting Sb(III) from total Sb. Total Sb was extracted and determined after the reduction of Sb(V) into Sb(III). The main parameters affecting the separation and determination of the analytes were examined in detail. Under optimal conditions, the limit of detection was 0.37 pg mL−1 for Sb(III) with relative standard deviation of 4.1% (c = 1.0 ng mL−1, n = 9). This method was successfully used for the analysis of Sb speciation in cow milk. To validate this method, a certified reference material of milk powder was analyzed, and the determined values were in good agreement with the certified values.

We have studied the vortex dynamics of CaKFe4As4 single crystals using a dynamical magnetization relaxation method. A large region of vortex elastic motion is observed indicating strong vortex pinning ability. Temperature dependence of normalized flux pinning energy of g(t) is determined based on the data of transient current density Js and dynamical relaxation rate Q by the generalized inversion scheme (GIS), which suggests that both the δ(Tc)- and δ(l)-pinning may be responsible for the vortex dynamical behaviors in CaKFe4As4 under field parallel to c-axis (H // c). The value of Js for field parallel to ab-plane (H // ab) is obviously larger than that of H // c, this indicates that the flux pinning mechanisms are distinct in different crystal orientations. Under H // ab, a dip structure in the magnetic hysteresis loops (MHLs) is obtained around zero field, which is ascribed to planar defects in ab-plane. We further analyze the flux pinning mechanisms and find that the abnormal flux pinning behaviors should originate from its unique structure in CaKFe4As4.

Yazhan is a restorer rice line bred by Jiangxi Tianya Seed Industry Co., LTD, and its hybrid combination has a high yield, excellent rice quality, and strong resistance. In this study, Yazhan, Huazhan, and Zhanhui 15 were used as the experimental materials. Based on agronomic traits, SSR primer screening and second-generation resequencing were conducted to study the genetic basis of Yazhan. The results showed that the plant height of Yazhan was significantly lower than Zhanhui 15, and the yield was not different from the parent lines. The genetic material on chromosome 1, 3, 4, 5, and 10 in the genome of Yazhan were mainly from Zhanhui 15, genetic materials from chromosomes 2, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 12 mainly come from Huazhan, and the chromosomes 1, 5, and 6 had the most variation. In terms of genomic similarity, Yazhan was more similar to the male parent (Huazhan). Yazhan and Huazhan carried the Wxb genotype, while Zhanhui 15 carried the Wxa genotype. The amylose contents of Yazhan and Huazhan were significantly lower than Zhanhui 15. Yazhan and Huazhan carried the Pita blast resistance gene, and Zhanhui 15 carried the Pita susceptibility gene. The results of this study provide a theoretical reference for elucidating the genetic composition of Yazhan and determining the main genetic sources of its important agronomic traits.

The friction at the liquid-solid interfaces is widely involved in various phenomena ranging from nanometer to micrometer scales. By the molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, the friction properties of liquid-solid interfaces at the molecular level are calculated via the Green-Kubo relation. It is found that the system size will influence the value of the friction coefficient, especially for the solid surfaces with the larger polar charge. The value of the friction coefficient decreases with the increase in the system size and converges at large system sizes. The large polar charge will lead to a significant friction coefficient. However, the diffusion of water molecules on this surface is almost a constant, indicating that the diffusion coefficient seems to be independent of the system size and polar charge. This work provides insights for the selection of the system size in modeling the frictional properties of hydrophobic/hydrophilic surfaces.

Background: The high quality, high yield and purity RNA samples are essential for subsequent molecular experiments such as RT-PCR, qPCR and RNA-seq. However, harvest high quality RNA samples from different tissues in Lilium davidii var. unicolor is a great challenge due to its polysaccharides, polyphenols and other secondary metabolites. In this study, three RNA extraction methods, namely modified TRIzol method, Kit and CTAB methods were reported to obtain the total RNA from Lilium davidii var. unicolor, and the efficient RNA extraction protocol (modified TRIzol method) was described. Results: A Nano drop spectrophotometer and 1% gel electrophoresis were used to detect the RNA quality and integrity. Compared with Kit and CTAB methods, the higher RNA concentrations from different tissues were obtained and the A260/280 ratios of RNA samples were ranged from1.97 to 2.27 when using the modified TRIzol method. None of intact RNA bands were gained from the modified CTAB method, indicating that the RNA samples isolation were degraded. As a result of the modified TRIzol method, the RNA samples in the different tissues from Lilium presented clear 28S and 18S bands.Conclusions: Here, modified TRIzol method is an easy, efficient, and low-cost method for RNA isolation from Lilium davidii var. unicolor. Thus, modified TRIzol method is sufficient to gain eligible RNA to support further molecular experiments in Lilium davidii var. unicolor.

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was widely applied as the bactericide and bleach agent in food industry due to its strong oxidation, whose residue had also posed a hazard to public health at the same time. Therefore, it was indispensable to establish a simple, highly effective and accurate method for the detection of H2O2 in foods. Herein, the MIL-88B-Fe metal–organic framework (MOF) was prepared by a facile solvothermal process and utilized as the peroxidase mimic for H2O2 detection. The resultant MIL-88B-Fe MOF exhibited an excellent peroxidase mimetic activity to effectively catalyse the oxidation of 3,3’,5,5’-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in the presence of H2O2, generating a blue coloured product. Under the optimal testing conditions, the linear absorbance response is well correlated with the H2O2 concentration ranging from 10 to 100 μM with a detection limit of 0.60 μM. The catalytic kinetic assay suggested that the MIL-88B-Fe MOF possessed the higher affinity towards both the substrate TMB and H2O2 than horseradish peroxidase. Moreover, the MIL-88B-Fe MOF also displayed a high selectivity and anti-interference performance towards H2O2 detection. In addition, the peroxidase mimetic catalytic oxidation TMB mechanism over the MIL-88B-Fe MOF was clarified by the photoluminescence test. Benefitting from the sensitive response and good anti-interference capacity, this method was applied in real milk and beer samples for H2O2 detection and showed a favourable reproducibility and feasibility. These results indicated that the proposed method based on MIL-88B-Fe as peroxidase mimic might be a promising candidate for H2O2 detection in food field.

Taking advantages of negligible reabsorption and no phase separation, single-component white-emitting phosphors are believed as new promising color conversion materials for white light-emitting diodes. As a potential candidate, Mn-doped lead halide perovskites are studied intensively, but rare works can realize pure white emission with a single component due to the challenge for realizing sufficient energy transfer efficiency from perovskite to Mn at the desirable emission wavelengths. In this work, we reported the synthesis of single-component white light halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) by doping Mn into the host of CsPb(Cl/Br)3@CsPb(Cl/Br)x core–amorphous shell (CAS). The small size of zero-dimensional core in CAS structure has a strong quantum confinement effect, which can enhance the energy transfer efficiency from halide perovskite to Mn impurity dramatically. Our result shows 19.3 times higher energy transfer efficiency for Mn-doped CAS than that of ordinary Mn-doped CsPb(Cl/Br)3 nanocubes. As a result, as-prepared Mn-doped CAS QDs give rise to a white light emission with Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) color coordinates of (0.37, 0.33). After blending with polystyrene (PS), Mn-doped CAS QDs can be used as a single-component color conversion material for assembling white light LEDs.

热电材料利用Seebeck与Peltier效应可以实现热能和电能的相互转化, 是颇具潜力的新型功能材料. 本文聚焦四元硫属化合物Cu2BIICIVSe4 (其中, B位为 Zn, Cd, Mn, Hg, C位为Si, Ge, Sn)的热电性能. 此类材料具有复杂的晶格结构, 导致其具有较低的晶格热导率, 是一类具有本征低热导的热电材料. 本文系统地总结了各类优化四元硫属化合物电学及热学的方法. 首先, 非化学计量法、元素掺杂和 η =1定理用于改善其电学性能. 然后, 纳米结构工程可用于进一步降低其热导率. 最后, 基于文中的论述, 我们提出通过多种实验方法的结合使用, 协同调控四元硫属化合物的电、热性能, 以期进一步提高其热电性能.

Co-occurrence of pyrethroid insecticides and heavy metals in the environment may produce combined toxic effects that are higher or lower than toxic effects of single chemicals. Here, we review the interactive effects between various pyrethroid insecticides and metals. Specifically, metals inhibit the microbial degradation of pyrethroids in soil and water environments, but metals facilitate pyrethroids photodegradation. Metals have shown both inhibition and improvement of the detoxification of pyrethroids in living organisms. Exposure to the mixtures of metals and pyrethroids causes enhanced or reduced toxic effects regarding acute toxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, hepatotoxicity, immunotoxicity, oxidative stress, biochemical and hematological alterations and genotoxicity, in comparison with those of single chemicals. The few studies that evaluated combined toxicity using specific models revealed both synergistic and antagonistic interactions between pyrethroid insecticides and heavy metals. Limited information is available regarding the underlying mechanisms responsible for the combined toxicity.

Lead-free tin telluride (SnTe) has been viewed as one promising solid thermoelectric material for recovering waste heat in recent years. In this work, SnTe alloys doped with excessive In and Sb have been synthesized by melting, quenching and spark plasma sintering. The Seebeck coefficient has been enhanced by synergistic effect based on resonant levels and increased carrier effective mass especially at low and middle temperature range, and then, the power factor is enlarged. With the reduced electrical and lattice thermal conductivity via co-doping, the total thermal conductivity is decreased. Intrinsic point defect and more grain boundaries lead to reduction in the lattice thermal conductivity through the co-doping. In addition, as the doping level is near the solubility limit, the 200–600 nm, In-rich precipitations have been detected in Sn0.848Sb0.14In0.012Te alloy, which can further reduce the lattice thermal conductivity. Thus, the lowest lattice thermal conductivity of 0.96 W m−1 K−1 is obtained at 800 K. Finally, the maximum figure of merit zT of ~ 0.8 at 800 K has been obtained for Sn0.848Sb0.14In0.012Te alloy, and a relative high average zT of ~ 0.45 in 300–800 K is achieved due to the zT improvement in the low and middle temperature range which indicated that SnTe is a promising candidate for the thermoelectric application.

Donor-substituted strontium titanate is known as one of the best high-performance n-type oxide thermoelectric materials. In this work, Sr-deficient Sr1−xTi0.8Nb0.2O3 ceramics (x = 0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03 and 0.04) were synthesized by solid state reaction, and the microstructural and thermoelectric properties were investigated to clarify the effects of Sr vacancies. By introducing Sr vacancies, the absolute Seebeck coefficient and electrical conductivity are enhanced simultaneously as compared with those of the sample without Sr vacancy, and thus the values of power factor are improved obviously. Although thermal conductivity increases after introducing Sr vacancies, thermoelectric performance of Sr1−xTi0.8Nb0.2O3 ceramic is enhanced notably because of the significantly enhanced power factor, and the figure of merit zT at 1073 K increases from 0.017 (of the sample x = 0) to 0.236 (of the sample x = 0.03).

In order to reduce the infection rate of major respiratory diseases, it is crucial to development of masks with antibacterial functions. This paper describes an electrospun polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibrous membranes loaded with antibacterial drugs. The concentration of artemisinin (ART)/chloroquine phosphate (CQP) in PVA solution and the process parameters were investigated. Meanwhile, the physical properties and antibacterial effect, filtration performance, respiratory resistance and the surface wettability of drug membranes were tested and analyzed. The results showed that when the mass concentration of PVA was 9 wt.% and the dosage of ART/CQP was 1.5/10 mg/mL, the fibers had uniform thickness and no beads. The prepared PVA fiber membrane has good hydrophilic, filtration and antibacterial properties, and the inhibition zone to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was 7 ± 0.3 mm and 4 ± 0.2 mm, respectively. The development of antibacterial PVA drug loaded fibrous membranes has potential value in the application of medical protective mask materials.

Optical properties of N- and F-doping triangular-shaped carbon molecules have been investigated in theory and experiment. The theoretical results showed that carbon molecules with impurity F and Cl have the same characters with pure carbon. Doping N into pure carbon molecule would change the optical rotation at 589 nm. For doping N replacing hydrogen atom structures (N-doping 1 and N-doping 2 molecules), the absorption spectra of them are similar to pure carbon molecule. However, for molecules with impurity N atom in benzene ring (N-doping 3 and N-doping 4 molecules), the peaks of wavelength of absorption spectra shift to long wavelength compared to that of pure carbon molecule. Moreover, the delocalization of molecular orbital (MO) is different from pure carbon molecule, which is caused by the impurity N changing the electrons distribution of benzene ring. We have calculated 3 without H and 4 without H molecules which are removing hydrogen atom in nitrogen atom from N-doping 3 and 4. 3 without H and 4 without H molecules have similar optical properties with pure carbon molecule. The results testified that the impurity N and F would not change the optical properties of carbon molecule if impurity did not change the delocalization of all benzene rings. Optical properties of nitrogen- and fluorine-doping carbon molecules investigating in theory and experiment.

Background We have previously verified the beneficial effects of exosomes from endothelial progenitor cells (EPC-EXs) in ischemic stroke. However, the effects of EPC-EXs in hemorrhagic stroke have not been investigated. Additionally, miR-137 is reported to regulate ferroptosis and to be involved in the neuroprotection against ischemic stroke. Hence, the present work explored the effects of miR-137-overexpressing EPC-EXs on apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and ferroptosis in oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb)-injured SH-SY5Y cells. Methods The lentiviral miR-137 was transfected into EPCs and then the EPC-EXs were collected. RT-PCR was used to detect the miR-137 level in EPCs, EXs, and neurons. The uptake mechanisms of EPC-EXs in SH-SY5Y cells were explored by the co-incubation of Dynasore, Pitstop 2, Ly294002, and Genistein. After the transfection of different types of EPC-EXs, flow cytometry and expression of cytochrome c and cleaved caspase-3 were used to detect the apoptosis of oxyHb-injured neurons. Neuronal mitochondrial function was assessed by reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) depolarization, and cellular ATP content. Cell ferroptosis was measured by lipid peroxidation, iron overload, degradation of glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase 4. Additionally, recombinational PGE2 was used to detect if activation of COX2/PGE2 pathway could reverse the protection of miR-137 overexpression. Results The present work showed (1) EPC-EXs could be taken in by SH-SY5Y cells via caveolin-/clathrin-mediated pathways and macropinocytosis; (2) miR-137 was decreased in neurons after oxyHb treatment, and EXsmiR-137 could restore the miR-137 levels; (3) EXsmiR-137 worked better than EXs in reducing the number of apoptotic neurons and pro-apoptotic protein expression after oxyHb treatment; (4) EXsmiR-137 are more effective in improving the cellular MMP, ROS, and ATP level; (5) EXsmiR-137, but not EXs, protected oxyHb-treated SH-SY5Y cells against lipid peroxidation, iron overload, degradation of glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase 4; and (6) EXsmiR-137 suppressed the expression of the COX2/PGE2 pathway, and activation of the pathway could partially reverse the neuroprotective effects of EXsmiR-137. Conclusion miR-137 overexpression boosts the neuroprotective effects of EPC-EXs against apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction in oxyHb-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, EXsmiR-137 rather than EXs can restore the decrease in miR-137 levels and inhibit ferroptosis, and the protection mechanism might involve the miR-137-COX2/PGE2 signaling pathway.

NO was involved in H2-induced adventitious rooting by regulating the protein and gene expressions of PM H+-ATPase and 14-3-3. Simultaneously, the interaction of PM H+-ATPase and 14-3-3 protein was also involved in this process. Hydrogen gas (H2) and nitric oxide (NO) have been shown to be involved in plant growth and development. The results in this study revealed that NO was involved in H2-induced adventitious root formation. Western blot (WB) analysis showed that the protein abundances of plasma membrane H+-ATPase (PM H+-ATPase) and 14-3-3 protein were increased after H2, NO, H2 plus NO treatments, whereas their protein abundances were down regulated when NO scavenger carboxy‐2‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide (cPTI O) was added. Moreover, the mRNA abundances of the HA3 and 14-3-3(7) gene as well as the activities of PM H+-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.35) and H+ pump were in full agreement with the changes of protein abundance. Phosphorylation of PM H+-ATPase and the interaction of PM H+-ATPase and 14-3-3 protein were detected by co-immunoprecipitation analysis. H2 and NO significantly up regulated the phosphorylation of PM H+-ATPase and the interaction of PM H+-ATPase and 14-3-3 protein. Conversely, the stimulation of PM H+-ATPase phosphorylation and protein interaction were significantly diminished by cPTIO. Protein interaction activator fusicoccin (FC) and inhibitor adenosine monophosphate (AMP) of PM H+-ATPase and 14-3-3 were used in this study, and the results showed that FC significantly increased the abundances of PM H+-ATPase and 14-3-3, while AMP showed opposite trends. We further proved the critical roles of PM H+-ATPase and 14-3-3 protein interaction in NO–H2-induced adventitious root formation. Taken together, our results suggested that NO might be involved in H2-induced adventitious rooting by regulating the expression and the interaction of PM H+-ATPase and 14-3-3 protein.

The finite autocorrelation time of thermal noise is crucial to unidirectional transportation on the molecular scale. Therefore, it is important to understand the cause of the intrinsic picosecond autocorrelation time of thermal noise in water. In this work, we use molecular dynamics simulations to compare the autocorrelation behaviors of the thermal noise, hydrogen bonds, and molecular rotations found in water. We found that the intrinsic picosecond autocorrelation time for thermal noise is caused by finite molecular rotation relaxation, in which hydrogen bonds play the role of a bridge. Furthermore, the simulation results show that our method of calculating the autocorrelation of thermal noise, by observing the fluctuating force on an oxygen atom of water, provides additional information about molecular rotations. Our findings may advance the understanding of the anomalous dynamic nanoscale behavior of particles, and the applications of terahertz technology in measuring the structural and dynamical information of molecules in solutions.

In an experiment, cyclo[18]carbon (C18), prepared with low-temperature STM-AFM (scanning tunneling microscopy-atomic force microscopy) from C24O6, C22O4, and C20O2 molecules, have been confirmed being alternating single and triple bonds structure. Nevertheless, the stability of C18 is weak at room temperature in gas. Thus, it is difficult to study the spectrum, orbital, and bonds characters of the C18 molecule in the experiment. In this paper, we have obtained absorption spectrum, orbital, and bonding characters of the C18 molecule in theory. Besides, bonds and spectra of C24O6, C22O4, C20O2, B9N9, C6, C12, C16, and C20 molecules have been investigated to further confirm the structure and the characters of the C18 molecule. The results show that carbon-carbon bonds of C24O6, C22O4, and C20O2 molecules in ring are alternating single and triple bonds except those connected with CO group. B9N9 molecule as the isoelectronic structure of C18 has a larger bandgap and shorter wavelength of absorption spectra than those of the C18 molecule. Moreover, all bonds between boron and nitrogen in B9N9 molecule are single one. Study bonding characters for C6, C12, C16, and C20 molecules have confirmed that carbon-carbon bonds of cyclo[n]carbon changed gradually from double bonds to alternating single and triple bonds with increasing n value. The data from theory would give help for future research on C18 and B9N9 molecules in experiment.

Generally, the interface friction on solid surfaces is regarded as consistent with wetting behaviors, characterized by the contact angles. Here using molecular dynamics simulations, we find that even a small charge difference (≤0.36 e) causes a change in the friction coefficient of over an order of magnitude on two-dimensional material and lipid surfaces, despite similar contact angles. This large difference is confirmed by experimentally measuring interfacial friction of graphite and MoS2 contacting on water, using atomic force microscopy. The large variation in the friction coefficient is attributed to the different fluctuations of localized potential energy under inhomogeneous charge distribution. Our results help to understand the dynamics of two-dimensional materials and biomolecules, generally formed by atoms with small charge, including nanomaterials, such as nitrogen-doped graphene, hydrogen-terminated graphene, or MoS2, and molecular transport through cell membranes. The interface friction on solid surfaces is generally regarded as consistent with the wetting behaviour. Here the authors use molecular dynamics simulations and experiments to show that a small surface charge difference causes a change in the solid/water friction coefficient of over an order of magnitude, while the contact angles stay similar.

Morphology engineering is vital for tuning electronic and optical properties of perovskite nanocrystals (NCs). Though many 1D, 2D and 3D perovskite NCs have been prepared, perovskite rings are not reported. This work reported the preparation of perovskite rings by a simple method of dewetting perovskite NCs solution on the glass slide. Our results indicate that perovskites NCs can change their morphology from the starting nano-sized spherical shape to intermediate molecules/ions and finally to micron-sized perovskite rings during the dewetting process. The alteration of NCs–molecules–rings is driven by the dewetting-induced alteration of solvent environment for perovskite from the initial insoluble mixture of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and toluene (1:50 v/v), to intermediate soluble DMF and finally to the glass slide without solvent. During the decomposing process from starting NCs to molecules/ions, the original oleic acid ligands of perovskite NCs will be released. These oleic acid surfactants will form ligand-stabilized gas bubbles, which act as in situ templates for reshaping of perovskite ring shape from molecules/ions.

We have successfully synthesized 3D carbon nanotube foams through a simple self-assembly method. Taking these carbon nanotube foams as substrates, we have fabricated a novel core-shell structure of CNTF@CoO through a simple heat treatment process. The electrochemical measurements suggest that the composite has excellent electrochemical performances. It shows excellent rate properties and long-term cycling stability with a reversible capacity of about 820 mAh g−1 at the charge-discharge current density of 100 mA g−1. The capacity is as large as 448 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 5000 mA g−1. The excellent performance can be attributed to the high capacity of CoO, the porous structure, and high conductivity of the carbon materials that provides fast ion transport pathways and relieves the strain during charge-discharge process.

Bifenthrin is a chiral synthetic pyrethroid insecticide that has been commonly used for agricultural and domestic pest control over the past decades. Due to its widespread application, residues of bifenthrin has been frequently detected in environmental media, residential areas and biota, thus posing potential risks to the health of wildlife and humans. In particular, bifenthrin exhibits high acute lethal toxicity to aquatic species, and it is the primary contributor to the toxicity of insecticides in waters. Additionally, bifenthrin can also cause sublethal toxic effects on various non-target organisms, including developmental toxicity, neurobehavioral toxicity, oxidative damage, immune toxicity and endocrine disrupting effects. Here we review recent studies about the fate of bifenthrin in the environment and biological systems, the toxicity of the chiral parent compound bifenthrin and the toxic effects of main metabolites. The adverse effects of bifenthrin, identified from both in vitro and in vivo studies, and the potential underlying mechanisms are presented. We discuss the enantiomeric difference in the toxicological effects of bifenthrin, since enantiomers of chiral compounds show different interactions with biological systems. Pyrethroid insecticides metabolites are not acutely toxic, but they have sublethal toxicity, such as endocrine disrupting effects and immunotoxicity. We provide emerging evidence for toxic effects of several main metabolites.

CoMn2O4 films on nickel foam were successfully synthesized by electrostatic spray deposition method followed by annealing in Ar atmosphere for sodium–ion battery anodes. The CoMn2O4 film exhibits porous architecture with a pore size of around 3–4 µm. The CoMn2O4 electrode as a binder-free anode exhibits superior reversible cycling performance and rate capability. It remains reversible specific capacity of 185 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 50th cycle. The stable electrochemical performance could be attributed to the unique CoMn2O4 architecture on Ni foam, which could provide high contact area with electrolyte, pronounced tolerance to volume variation, and enhance the electrical conductivity.

Huge amounts of granite wastes have been generated in the granite-processing industry and should be properly disposed to reduce the negative impacts on the environment and health care. In this work, waste granite powder was modified and sintered to prepare high-strength and tough glass–ceramics. The heating rate was studied to clarify its effects on the sinterability, crystallization, and mechanical properties of glass–ceramics. With the increase in heating rate, the densification of sintered glass–ceramics was promoted by the liquid glassy phase from the microcline phase. The glass–ceramics were strengthened and toughened simultaneously due to the improved densification and increased crystallinity. The toughening mechanism was attributed to the crack bridging, deflection, and branching. The maximum flexural strength of 143 MPa and fracture toughness of 2.1 MPa m1/2 were achieved with a heating rate of 50 °C min−1, far superior to that of natural granite. The crystal structure of sintered glass–ceramics indicated the main crystalline phase of anorthite. These glass–ceramics with excellent mechanical properties promise the practical reutilization of granite wastes in the construction tiles.

The thermoelectric properties of potassium interstitial doped Sr0.7Ba0.3KxNb2O6−δ ceramics were investigated in the temperature range from 323 to 1073 K. The thermoelectric power factor is improved enormously due to the potassium interstitial doping combined with a reductive calcination method. The potassium dopants not only act as carrier donors but also modulate the electronic structures. Thus, the electrical conductivity increases remarkably, and the Seebeck coefficient, meanwhile, maintains considerable values at high temperatures. Only the moderate doping content x = 0.10 contributes to reducing the lattice thermal conductivity. Thus, the sample Sr0.7Ba0.3K0.1Nb2O6−δ shows the highest ZT value of 0.23 at 1073 K.

Molybdenum carbide/molybdenum nitride hybrid N-doped graphene (abbreviated as Mo2C/MoN/NG), as an efficient electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), was synthesized via simple ion-exchange resin synthesis followed by a two-step annealing process, which increased the dispersion degree of the electrocatalyst’s active sites on the support skeleton and simplified the synthetic conditions. Additionally, N-doped graphene (NG) enhanced the electron transfer and reduced the inner resistance. The material has a graphene-like morphology and highly dispersed Mo2C/MoN nanoparticles about 2 nm in diameter on the NG. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy revealed that Mo2C/MoN/NG consisted of Mo2C and MoN composited together. Finally, Mo2C/MoN/NG exhibited remarkable performance as an electrocatalyst for the HER with a small overpotential of 78.82 mV and a small Tafel slope of 39.3 mV·dec−1 in a 0.5 mol·L−1 H2SO4 solution. Its activity was approximately 30% lower than that of 20% Pt/C and 60% higher than that of NG. Also, it exhibited a low onset overpotential of 24.82 mV, which is similar to the theoretical HER potential. Our work provides a foundation for advanced HER applications of molybdenum compounds.

Independent component analysis (ICA) is one of the most popular and valid methods to investigate the default mode network (DMN), an intrinsic network which attracts particular attention in amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). However, previous studies present inconsistent results regarding the topographical organization of the DMN in aMCI. Therefore, we conducted a quantitative, voxel-wise meta-analysis of resting-state ICA studies using Seed-based d Mapping to establish the most consistent pattern of DMN functional connectivity alterations in aMCI. Twenty studies, comprising 23 independent datasets involving 535 patients and 586 healthy controls, met the inclusion criteria. Patients with aMCI exhibited reliably lower DMN functional connectivity than the healthy controls in the bilateral precuneus/posterior cingulate cortices and medial temporal lobes, which are implicated in episodic memory deficits. Moreover, an exploratory meta-regression analysis revealed that greater severity of global cognitive impairment in the patient groups was associated with stronger functional connectivity in the bilateral medial frontal cortices (including the anterior cingulate cortices), left angular gyrus, and right temporal pole extending to the middle temporal gyrus, likely reflecting a compensatory mechanism for maintaining cognitive efficiency. This meta-analysis identifies a consistent pattern of aberrant DMN functional connectivity in aMCI, which facilitates understanding of the neurobiological substrates of this disease.

The BiOBr/Ag3PO4 composites were fabricated by a facile in situ deposition of Ag3PO4 nanoparticles on the BiOBr microsheets and analyzed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, high resolution transmission electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflectance absorption spectra, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, photoluminescence (PL), and photoelectrochemical techniques. The photocatalytic performances of as-prepared samples were investigated and compared through degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) solution. The results suggested that 30 wt% amount of BiOBr in the composites possessed the highest photocatalytic activity. The remarkably improved photocatalytic performances of BiOBr/Ag3PO4 composites could be ascribed to the efficient separation of electron–hole pairs, due to suitable energy band potentials between BiOBr and Ag3PO4. Furthermore, the photoelectrochemical and PL tests verified the separation and transfer efficiency of charges was promoted.

Three-dimensional (3D) porous CoMn2O4 thin films on nickel foam substrates were successfully prepared via electrostatic spray deposition (ESD) technique and then an annealing process for lithium-ion battery anodes. The CoMn2O4 thin films exhibited high initial coulombic efficiency of 90% and excellent cycling performance with a reversible capacity of over 1366 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 400 mA g−1. The improved electrochemical performances are attributed to the synergistic advantages of 3D porous CoMn2O4 film and the Ni foam collector, which can provide effective void space to the large volume change during cycling, enhance reaction sites, and improve the electron transport. The ESD technique is facile and cost-effective and can be used as a promising method to synthesize 3D porous mixed transition-metal oxides materials.

The limited solid solutions of nominal (1 − x) CuFeO2 − xCuAlO2 have been prepared by conventional solid-state reaction, and thermoelectric property has been measured. From the XRD powder pattern, we found that the major phase of the limited solid solution is rhombohedral delafossite structure when the composition is near the end members. Cubic Cu(Fe,Al)2O4 phase has been formed in composition from x = 0.4 to 0.8. Electrical resistivity of samples with major delafossite structure is lower than that of samples with Cu(Fe,Al)2O4 phase. In the zone of phase transform, the electrical resistivity can be got with lower value, such as x = 0.2, 0.3 and 0.9. The Seebeck coefficient for the limited solid solution with delafossite structure is positive in whole measured temperature range from 300 to 923 K. In the end, the power factor for the limited solid solution with major delafossite structure shows higher value, which is resulted from the lower electrical resistivity by the phase transposition. The highest power factor of 1.14 × 10−4 W/mK2 has been addressed at 907 K for x = 0.2, which value is enhanced by 3–4 times than that of pure phase CuFeO2 or CuAlO2.

Results of recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and whole genome sequencing (WGS) highlighted type II cadherins as risk genes for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). To determine whether these cadherins may be linked to the morphogenesis of ASD-relevant brain regions, in situ hybridization (ISH) experiments were carried out to examine the mRNA expression profiles of two ASD-associated cadherins, Cdh9 and Cdh11, in the developing cerebellum. During the first postnatal week, both Cdh9 and Cdh11 were expressed at high levels in segregated sub-populations of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, and the expression of both genes was declined as development proceeded. Developmental expression of Cdh11 was largely confined to dorsal lobules (lobules VI/VII) of the vermis as well as the lateral hemisphere area equivalent to the Crus I and Crus II areas in human brains, areas known to mediate high order cognitive functions in adults. Moreover, in lobules VI/VII of the vermis, Cdh9 and Cdh11 were expressed in a complementary pattern with the Cdh11-expressing areas flanked by Cdh9-expressing areas. Interestingly, the high level of Cdh11 expression in the central domain of lobules VI/VII was correlated with a low level of expression of the Purkinje cell marker calbindin, coinciding with a delayed maturation of Purkinje cells in the same area. These findings suggest that these two ASD-associated cadherins may exert distinct but coordinated functions to regulate the wiring of ASD-relevant circuits in the cerebellum. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13041-019-0461-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Members of the marine genus Pseudoalteromonas have attracted great interest because of their ability to produce a large number of biologically active substances. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Pseudoalteromonas agarivorans Hao 2018, a strain isolated from an abalone breeding environment, using second-generation Illumina and third-generation PacBio sequencing technologies. Illumina sequencing offers high quality and short reads, while PacBio technology generates long reads. The scaffolds of the two platforms were assembled to yield a complete genome sequence that included two circular chromosomes and one circular plasmid. Transcriptomic data for Pseudoalteromonas were not available. We therefore collected comprehensive RNA-seq data using Illumina sequencing technology from a fermentation culture of P. agarivorans Hao 2018. Researchers studying the evolution, environmental adaptations and biotechnological applications of Pseudoalteromonas may benefit from our genomic and transcriptomic data to analyze the function and expression of genes of interest., Design Type(s)transcription profiling design • source-based data analysis objectiveMeasurement Type(s)whole genome sequencing assay • transcription profiling assayTechnology Type(s)DNA sequencing • RNA sequencingFactor Type(s)Sample Characteristic(s)Pseudoalteromonas agarivorans • ocean biome Machine-accessible metadata file describing the reported data (ISA-Tab format)

The layered Li-rich Mn-based cathode materials Li[Li0.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13]O2 were prepared by using co-precipitation technique at different temperatures, and their crystal microstructure and particle morphology were observed and analyzed by XRD and SEM. The electrochemical properties of these samples were investigated by using charge-discharge tests, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV), respectively. The results indicated that all samples are of high purity. When the precursors were co-precipitated at 50 °C, their cathode materials have the most uniform and full particles and exhibit the highest initial discharge capacity (289.4 mAh/g at 0.1C), the best cycle stability (capacity retention rate of 91.2 % after 100 cycles at 0.5C), and the best rate performance. The EIS results show that the lower charge transfer resistance of 50 °C sample is responsible for its superior discharge capacity and rate performance.

Inflammation has been reported to play critical roles in the development of osteoarthritis. In the present study, we investigated whether mangiferin (MFN) had anti-inflammatory effects in IL-1β-stimulated human osteoarthritis chondrocytes. The cells were treated with various concentrations of MFN in the presence or absence of IL-1β. The production of MMP-1, MMP-3, PGE2, and NO was measured in this study. The expression of NF-kB and PPAR-γ was detected by western blot analysis. MFN inhibited IL-1β-induced inflammatory mediators PGE2 and NO production. MFN also inhibited IL-1β-induced MMP1 and MMP3 production. IL-1β-induced NF-kB activation was significantly inhibited by MFN. In addition, MFN was found to up-regulate the expression of PPAR-γ in human osteoarthritis chondrocytes. PPAR-γ inhibitor GW9662 significantly reversed the anti-inflammatory effects of MFN. These results suggest that MFN inhibits IL-1β-induced inflammatory response in human osteoarthritis chondrocytes by activating PPAR-γ.