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A nonconforming finite element method (FEM) is developed and investigated for the coupled Poisson–Nernst–Planck (PNP) equations with low order EQ1rot element. Then, by use of the special properties of this element, that is, the interpolation operator is equivalent to its projection operator, and the consistency error estimate can reach order of O(h2) which is one order higher than that of its interpolation error estimates when the exact solution belongs to H3(Ω), the superclose estimates of order O(h2) and O(h2 + τ) in the broken H1‐norm are derived with new techniques for the semidiscrete scheme and backward Euler fully discrete scheme, respectively. Further, through employing interpolation postprocessing approach, the corresponding global superconvergence results are obtained. Finally, some numerical results are provided to confirm the theoretical analysis. It seems that our results have never been found in the existing literature. Here h and τ denote the mesh size and time step, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number, size, and composition of lipid droplets can be influenced by dietary changes that shift energy substrate availability. This diversification of lipid droplets can promote metabolic flexibility and shape cellular stress responses in unique tissues with distinctive metabolic roles. Using Drosophila, we uncovered a role for myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) in modulating diet‐dependent lipid droplet diversification within adult striated muscle, impacting mortality rates. Muscle‐specific attenuation of MEF2, whose chronic activation maintains glucose and mitochondrial homeostasis, leads to the accumulation of large, cholesterol ester‐enriched intramuscular lipid droplets in response to high calorie, carbohydrate‐sufficient diets. The diet‐dependent accumulation of these lipid droplets also correlates with both enhanced stress protection in muscle and increases in organismal lifespan. Furthermore, MEF2 attenuation releases an antagonistic regulation of cell cycle gene expression programs, and up‐regulation of Cyclin E is required for diet‐ and MEF2‐dependent diversification of intramuscular lipid droplets. The integration of MEF2‐regulated gene expression networks with dietary responses thus plays a critical role in shaping muscle metabolism and function, further influencing organismal lifespan. Together, these results highlight a potential protective role for intramuscular lipid droplets during dietary adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal sulfide demonstrated sluggish ionic transport kinetics due to the low electronic conductively, resulting larger volume expansion and even pulverize electrode during Li+ insertion/deinsertion. In this study, freestanding SnS nanoflower@carbon nanofiber (SnS@CNF) was prepared by the sol‐gel electrospinning of hydrothermal synthesized SnS2 nanoflower and carbonization. When direct used SnS@CNF as a binder‐free negative electrode for LIB, it delivered specific capacity of 564.4 mAh g−1@0.3 C after 450 cycles, and high rate capacities of 595, 465, 354, 267, 200, 129, 74, and 484 mAh g−1 at the current densities of 0.064, 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 0.1 mA g−1, respectively. Such excellent electrochemical performance is attributed to the nanostructured conductive CNF network not only can buffer volume expansion and prevents the aggregation of active material, but also improve Li+ migration rates during the discharge (4.47×10−7 cm2 s−1) and charge (2.73×10−6 cm2 s−1) process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• RNA interference (RNAi) is of great value in plant functional genomics. However, the absence of RNAi phenotypes and the lack of uniform level of RNAi silencing has complicated gene identification. Here, the penetrance and expressivity of RNAi-mediated silencing of the phytoene desaturase ( PDS) gene in Arabidopsis thaliana were examined quantitatively to provide a reference for the likely severity and distribution of silencing effects. • Arabidopsis plants were transformed with an RNAi construct targeting PDS. Transgenic plants were examined for frequency of RNAi-mediated silencing and various silencing phenotypes. mRNA depletion level and RNAi expressivity were assayed by relative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). • High penetrance and variable expressivity of RNAi were demonstrated. An inverse correlation between PDS mRNA level and RNAi phenotype was seen. No direct relationship between copy number for the RNAi-generating transgene and phenotype was evident. Decreased RNAi penetrance in T2 plants was observed. • It is suggested that variability in RNAi expressivity and postmeiotic decrease in RNAi penetrance constitute barriers for high throughput plant gene characterization. New Phytologist (2005) doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2005.01454.x © New Phytologist (2005) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]