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Rationale: Isopsoralen (ISO), a quality control marker (Q‐marker) in Psoraleae Fructus, is proven to present an obvious anti‐osteoporosis effect. Until now, the metabolism and anti‐osteoporosis mechanisms of ISO have not been fully elucidated, greatly restricting its drug development. Methods: The metabolites of ISO in rats were profiled by using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. The potential anti‐osteoporosis mechanism of ISO in vivo was predicted by using network pharmacology. Results: A total of 15 metabolites were characterized in rats after ingestion of ISO (20 mg/kg/day, by gavage), including 2 in plasma, 12 in urine, 6 in feces, 1 in heart, 3 in liver, 1 in spleen, 1 in lung, 3 in kidney, and 2 in brain. The pharmacology network results showed that ISO and its metabolites could regulate AKT1, SRC, NFKB1, EGFR, MAPK3, etc., involved in the prolactin signaling pathway, ErbB signaling pathway, thyroid hormone pathway, and PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway. Conclusions: This is the first time for revealing the in vivo metabolism features and potential anti‐osteoporosis mechanism of ISO by metabolite profiling and network pharmacology, providing data for further verification of pharmacological mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Eucommia cortex is the core herb in traditional Chinese medicine preparations for the treatment of osteoporosis. Pinoresinol diglucoside (PDG), the quality control marker and the key pharmacodynamic component in Eucommia cortex, has attracted global attention because of its definite effects on osteoporosis. However, the in vivo metabolic characteristics of PDG and its anti‐osteoporotic mechanism are still unclear, restricting its development and application. Methods: Ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry was used to analyze the metabolic characteristics of PDG in rats, and its anti‐osteoporosis targets and mechanism were predicted using network pharmacology. Results: A total of 51 metabolites were identified or tentatively characterized in rats after oral administration of PDG (10 mg/kg/day), including 9 in plasma, 28 in urine, 13 in feces, 10 in liver, 4 in heart, 3 in spleen, 11 in kidneys, and 5 in lungs. Furan‐ring opening, dimethoxylation, glucuronidation, and sulfation were the main metabolic characteristics of PDG in vivo. The potential mechanism of PDG against osteoporosis was predicted using network pharmacology. PDG and its metabolites could regulate BCL2, MARK3, ALB, and IL6, involving PI3K‐Akt signaling pathway, estrogen signaling pathway, and so on. Conclusions: This study was the first to demonstrate the metabolic characteristics of PDG in vivo and its potential anti‐osteoporosis mechanism, providing the data for further pharmacological validation of PDG in the treatment of osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative design of the optimal gas extraction engineering parameters has always been a key scientific problem to meet the predrainage target of the coal seam, which is paid great attention to and urgently expected to solve for the gas extraction engineering of coal mine. In this paper, the governing equation of the evolution of coal seam gas content is established under the interference and cooperation of gas extraction by boreholes, and the calculation formula of gas cooperative efficiency is defined. Based on gas-air mixed flow, a multifield coupling 3d model of coal gas extraction using boreholes was developed. The content, method, and principle of optimal spacing parameter design of extraction borehole were proposed, and the constraint conditions and objective function of optimal design were constructed. The flow characteristics of gas extraction using boreholes in the coal seam area and the influence of different parameters on gas extraction effect are studied. The cooperative and competitive behaviors of gas extraction by boreholes in coal seam are revealed. The results show that borehole spacing, seam fracture permeability, and gas adsorption constant have significant effects on the synergistic and competitive effects of gas extraction, while the negative pressure of gas extraction and coal matrix permeability have little effects, but the negative pressure of gas extraction has great effects on gas extraction concentration. Finally, Comsol With Matlab is used to solve the multiconstraint nonlinear optimization problem of gas drainage engineering parameters along coal seam in 18401 working face of Tunlan Coal Mine. The effect of actual gas extraction investigation is very remarkable, which provides a quantitative calculation basis for scientific gas extraction in coal mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An immersed boundary method (IBM) has been developed to handle the solid body embedded flowfield simulation for compressible reactive flows, paving the way of application for a wide range of fluid–solid interaction problems. Previously, the Brinkman penalization method (BPM), originated from porous media flows, has been successfully used for incompressible Navier–Stokes equations by adding penalization terms to momentum equations. However, it is nontrivial to solve the compressible form due to the penalized continuity equation that usually poses severe numerical stiffness. In order to circumvent this issue, an extending procedure for relevant variables from the fluid to solid domain is considered, by analyzing the ordinary differential equations remained after operator splitting. Density can be then determined with the help of an equation of state (EoS). Meanwhile, efforts of enforcing the Neumann boundary condition, for example, the adiabatic wall condition, on the fluid–solid interface can be minimized by extending temperature across the interface directly. One more advantage of the extending step lies in that it can quickly reach a steady state when performed within a narrow band around the interface. Implemented into an adaptive Cartesian grid‐based flow solver for compressible Navier–Stokes equations with chemical reaction source terms, the present variable‐extended IBM is validated by numerical examples ranging from single‐species nonreactive to multispecies detonative flows in one‐ and two‐dimensional domains. Numerical results show (1) the successful specification of slip or nonslip, adiabatic or isothermal wall condition on the fluid–solid interface and (2) loss of total energy in the original BPM being avoided and the numerical accuracy being improved especially for energy‐sensitive reactive flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyroid dysfunction plays a role in blood pressure (BP) regulation. However, the associations between thyroid function and BP and arterial stiffness in the general Chinese population without thyroid disease are unknown. This population‐based cross‐sectional study aimed to investigate the association between thyroid function and peripheral and central BP and arterial stiffness in Chinese individuals. After excluding those who had thyroid diseases or incomplete clinical measurements, this study included 691 participants. Of the participants, 444 (64.2%) were women and 215 (31.1%) had hypertension. After adjustment for covariates, serum FT3 was significantly associated with a higher pulse rate in both sexes. In men, each 2.72‐fold increase in serum FT4 levels was associated with higher peripheral systolic BP (+10.82 mmHg, p =.005) and pulse pressure (+5.71 mmHg, p =.03). Each 2.72‐fold increase in serum FT4 levels was associated with higher central systolic BP (+8.03 mmHg, p =.03) and pulse pressure (+3.89 mmHg, p =.05). In women, serum FT4 was only associated with a higher central pulse pressure (+2.96 mmHg, p =.04). After adjustment for covariates, serum FT4 was significantly associated with a faster cfPWV exclusively in men. Our study showed that serum FT4 is associated with higher peripheral and central BP and faster cfPWV in men, whereas serum FT3 is positively associated with a higher pulse rate in both sexes, indicating that the effects of thyroid function on BP and arterial stiffness are more significant in men than in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The infrageneric classification of Ficus (Moraceae) has raised concerns since Berg put forward his six subgenera system. Molecular analyses have revealed some unnatural groups within this system. The status of F. subg. Synoecia and the relationships between this subgenus and its allies are among the major challenges facing classification within the genus. To resolve these problems, we reconstructed the phylogenetic trees with three nuclear markers from 147 ingroup taxa (including approximately half of F. subg. Synoecia species and three‐fifths of F. subg. Ficus) and implemented ancestral area and life‐form reconstructions to trace the evolutionary history. Results showed that F. subg. Synoecia and F. subg. Ficus (except F. subsect. Ficus) constituted a well‐supported monophylum, which is sister to F. subg. Terega. This monophylum comprises two clades: one clade covers F. subsect. Frutescentiae of F. sect. Ficus and F. subsect. Plagiostigma of F. sect. Pogonotrophe, and the other covers F. sect. Eriosycea, F. sect. Apiosycea and the rest of F. sect. Pogonotrophe. Ancestral area reconstruction revealed that the first clade has a distinct origin in East Asia, but the second one shows fewer obvious signs. Ancestral life‐form reconstruction suggested that the climbing habit, a key trait used to divide F. subg. Ficus and F. subg. Synoecia, has evolved independently more than four times, rendering it an unsuitable characteristic to circumscribe the subgenera. Thus, we merged F. subg. Synoecia and F. subg. Ficus (excluding F. subsect. Ficus) into one subgenus, containing two newly delimited sections and six new synonyms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the behavioral additionality effects of a unique high‐ and new‐ technology enterprise (HNTE) program in China. The program provides a reduced corporate income tax to certificated HNTEs. By distinguishing research expenses from development costs, we examine if the tax incentive program affects firms' composition of R&D investment, based on a sample of Chinese listed firms. The results indicate that the tax incentive program encourages firms to focus more on development than on research. The effects are also found to be heterogeneous among the first‐time, repeated, and one‐time certification users. The results imply that tax incentives prompt firms to invest in short‐term development opportunities with promising private returns. Conversely, they are less likely to stimulate risky research projects with potential high rates of social and long‐term economic returns. Our study highlights the importance of understanding the behavioral additionality effects for innovation policy evaluations and better policy designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer‐based fluorescent (MIP‐FL) probe has been synthesized by embedding glutathione‐stabilized gold nanoclusters (GSH‐AuNCs) and Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) into silica composites. The Fe3O4NPs/AuNCs@MIPs are characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. The results show that the spherical Fe3O4NPs/AuNCs@MIPs contain a core‐shell structure with GSH‐AuNCs anchored on the surface of silica‐protected Fe3O4NPs. As a fluorescence probe (excitation: 360 nm, emission: 615 nm), Fe3O4NPs/AuNCs@MIPs can selectively detect metronidazole (MNZ) among other nitroimidazoles (ronidazole, ornidazole, and tinidazole). During the detection, the fluorescence intensity of the MIP‐FL probe drops gradually with increasing MNZ concentration. The sensitive linear range of the fluorescence probe is from 0 to 5 μM, and the limit of detection is 4.2 nM. After the recognition sites interact with the template, the occurrence of charge transfer from the GSH‐AuNCs to MNZ results in fluorescence quenching. Finally, a real sample test has been performed in spiked milk. Satisfactory recoveries spanning from 96% to 102% indicate that Fe3O4NPs/AuNCs@MIPs enable highly sensitive detection of MNZ based on fluorescence signal output, while the MIPs also have enrichment potential for the target from complex samples due to the magnetic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Top‐gate typed amorphous‐indium‐gallium‐zinc‐oxide (a‐IGZO) thin‐film‐transistors (TFTs) and a technologically advanced transparent storage capacitance structure have been successfully employed in pixel circuits. The design procedure was systematically studied. Eventually, a 15‐inch gate‐driver‐on‐array (GOA) drived active matrix organic light‐emitting diode (AMOLED) display was demonstrated with a high resolution of 147 ppi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feasibility of removal of sulfate ions from the sodium alkali FGD wastewater using the ettringite precipitation method was evaluated. Factors affecting the removal of sulfate ions, such as NaAlO2 dosage, Ca(OH)2 dosage, solution temperature, anions (Cl−, NO3− and F−), and heavy metal ions (Mg2+ and Mn2+), were investigated, and the optimal experimental conditions for the removal of sulfate ions were determined. Experimental results indicate that the ettringite precipitation method can effectively remove SO42− with removal efficiency of more than 98%. All the investigated factors have influences on the removal of sulfate ions, and among them, the dosage of reagents, solution temperature, and fluoride ions have the strongest influence. In addition, the method can effectively synergistically remove F− and heavy metal ions with removal efficiencies of more than 90% and 99%, respectively; meanwhile, Cl− and NO3− also can be removed minimally by the method. The result of actual wastewater treatment shows that the method is feasible for treating high-concentration sulfate wastewater. The ettringite precipitation method has the potential to be a commercial application in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The desulfurization and denitrification wastewater (DDW) from the wet flue gas treatment project is difficult to be treated and recycled because of high chloride ion (Cl−) concentration. Cl− can cause equipment and piping corrosion. However, there is a lack of cost-effective treatment technologies for the removal of Cl− from the DDW. In this research, the feasibility of Cl− removal from the DDW using Friedel’s salt precipitation method was evaluated. Factors affecting the Cl− removal, such as Ca(OH)2 dosage, NaAlO2 dosage, solution’s initial pH, solution’s temperature, reaction time, stirring speed, and anions (SO42−, NO3−, and F−), were investigated, and the optimal experimental conditions for Cl− removal were determined. Experimental results showed that Friedel’s salt precipitation method can remove Cl− effectively and can achieve synergistic removal of SO42−, F−, and heavy metal ions. Under the best experimental conditions, the average removal efficiencies of Cl−, SO42−, F−, and heavy metal ions reach more than 85%, 98%, 94%, and 99%, respectively. The Cl− removal mechanism studies showed that Cl− can be removed by precipitation as Ca4Al2Cl2(OH)12. The purified wastewater and the precipitated solid can be reused to reduce the consumption of water and alkali. Friedel’s salt precipitation method is an effective control technology for the synergistic removal of Cl−, SO42−, F−, and heavy metal ions and has enormous potential to be applied in the industrial wastewater treatment field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a novel bright‐green and highly fluorescent polyethyleneimine capped copper nanoclusters (CuNCs@PEI) has been hydrothermally synthesized, which is employed as a fluorescence probe to determine rifampicin. Under optimum synthetic conditions, the morphology, surface chemistry and optical features of resulting CuNCs@PEI are well characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–Vis absorption spectra, transient and steady‐state fluorescence. In comparison to previous reports, the new species with a larger diameter of approximately 3 nm exhibit higher fluorescence quantum yield (QY) up to nearly 10.7%, and demonstrate tolerability to extreme pH, high ionic strengths as well as long‐term UV irradiation. These excellent optical properties ascribe to unique grain size and surface chemical features of products, which are further discussed in this work. In addition, we employed as‐prepared CuNCs@PEI to detect rifampicin based on fluorescence quenching phenomenon. The fluorescence intensity of probe is linearly proportional to rifampicin over the concentration rage from 0 to 20 μM, where the limit of detection (LOD) is 50 nM. Besides, this probe can be also used to assay rifampicin in serum samples with satisfactory recoveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel assay for H2O2 based on luminescence quenching is developed from the Dakin reaction between deprotonated salicylaldehyde (D- SA) and H2O2. Under alkaline condition, the phenolic hydroxyl group of SA is deprotonated, exhibiting good luminescence emission ability ( λex = 433 nm, λem = 508 nm). Luminescence of D- SA is quenched by H2O2 in a concentration-dependent manner. Good linearity is obtained with a regression coefficient of 0.9989 in the range of 0.3 ~ 150 μM and a detection limit ( LOD) is 30 nM. In addition, D- SA luminescence probe shows good biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity to HeLa cells through MTT assay. The feasibility for in vitro applications is demonstrated through confocal laser scanning microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new paraffin/surfactant/water emulsion (PSW) for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) controlling was prepared and its potential for VOCs removal was investigated. Results indicated that PSW-5 (5%, v/v) provided higher toluene absorption efficiency (90.77%) than the other absorbents used. The saturation pressure, Henry’s constant, and activity coefficient of toluene in PSW-5 were significantly lower than those in water, and toluene solubility (1.331 g·L−1) in the PSW-5 was more than 2.5 times higher than the value in water. Several factors potentially affecting the toluene absorption efficiency were systematically investigated. The results suggested that concentration and pH of PSW, absorption temperature, and gas flow rate all had a strong influence on the toluene absorption, but the inlet concentration of toluene had little effect on the toluene absorption. There were different absorbing performances of PSW-5 on different VOCs, and the ketones, esters, and aromatics were more easily removed by the PSW-5 than the alkanes. Regeneration and reuse of the PSW were possible; after 3 runs of regeneration the absorption efficiency of PSW-5 for toluene also could reach 82.42%. So, the PSW is an economic, efficient, and safe absorbent and has a great prospect in organic waste gas treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Surfaces of cationically modified zwitterionic phosphorylcholine (PC) copolymer prepared by spin coating were characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), atomic force microscopy, and water contact angle. The obtained PC films bearing cationic charge densities were used to investigate the effect of electrostatic interactions on the adhesion behavior of marine fouling diatom Nitzschia closterium MMDL533. Results show that the settlement of N. closterium MMDL533 cells increases with the positive choline fragment contents in the copolymers. Upon exposure to 8.5-Pa wall shear stress for 2 minutes, the percentage removals of the settled cells on choline containing films were significantly lower than those on the neutral PC1036 films, indicating that the electrostatic attraction between N. closterium MMDL533 cells and the cationic modified PC films could promote the diatom settlement and improve diatom adhesion strength. There were more aggregates adhered on the PC films as compared with the hydroxylated glass slides, which might result from their higher surface hydrophobicity and more heterogeneous surfaces. © 2013 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The propionyl-CoA dehydrogenase (PACD) gene was cloned from Candida rugosa by the cDNA RACE technique. The full cDNA of the PACD gene has a length of 1408 bp, which contains a complete open reading frame (ORF) of 1329 bp, coding for 442 amino acids. The cDNA of PACD was cloned into the expression plasmid pPIC9K and transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115. The recombinant protein was purified by Ni-NTA affinity chromatography, and its size was observed to be approximately 49 kDa as estimated by SDS-PAGE. Anti-His antibodies were used to characterise the recombinant PACD by western-blot analysis. The recombinant protein retained the activity of catalysing propionyl-CoA to acryloyl-CoA. The results of dot-blotting hybridisation using a PACD cDNA probe indicated that the PACD mRNA level was modified at different stages: mRNA levels were low for the first 36 h, then increased through 48 h and eventually reached a stable level. These results indicate that propionate induction could significantly activate PACD mRNA expression. Information from this study will be helpful in elucidating the metabolic pathway for 3-hydroxypropionic acid production in C. rugosa. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]