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Magnetic domain wall (DW)-based logic devices offer numerous opportunities for emerging electronics applications allowing superior performance characteristics such as fast motion, high density, and nonvolatility to process information. However, these devices rely on an external magnetic field, which limits their implementation; this is particularly problematic in large-scale applications. Multiferroic systems consisting of a piezoelectric substrate coupled with ferromagnets provide a potential solution that provides the possibility of controlling magnetization through an electric field via magnetoelastic coupling. Strain-induced magnetization anisotropy tilting can influence the DW motion in a controllable way. We demonstrate a method to perform all-electrical logic operations using such a system. Ferromagnetic coupling between neighboring magnetic domains induced by the electric-field-controlled strain has been exploited to promote noncollinear spin alignment, which is used for realizing essential building blocks, including DW generation, propagation, and pinning, in all implementations of Boolean logic, which will pave the way for scalable memory-in-logic applications.

This study explores the bioactive secondary metabolite profiles of the peels of three major cultivars of bananas (Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana). These cultivars are primarily grown in Southeast Asia and are widely consumed due to their rich nutritional and fiber content. The research utilizes advanced analytical techniques, specifically HPLC-DAD-q-TOF-MS/MS, in conjunction with both univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, to analyze the ethanolic extracts of the banana peels. This study identifies phenolic acids, flavonoids, and proanthocyanidins as significant contributors to the differentiation of the cultivars. The secondary metabolites rutin, chlorogenic acid, and gentisic acid are pinpointed as the key discriminants. Moreover, the research demonstrates a synergistic contribution of certain phytochemicals to the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the banana peel extracts. The fingerprint profiling tools introduced in this study offer a reliable method for identifying metabolite biomarkers for the discrimination of banana cultivars.

Abstract Cancer has become one of the most important causes of human death. In particular, the 5 year survival rate of patients with digestive tract cancer is low. Although chemotherapy drugs have a certain efficacy, they are highly toxic and prone to chemotherapy resistance. With the advancement of antitumor research, many natural drugs have gradually entered basic clinical research. They have low toxicity, few adverse reactions, and play an important synergistic role in the combined targeted therapy of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. A large number of studies have shown that the active components of Paris polyphylla (PPA), a common natural medicinal plant, can play an antitumor role in a variety of digestive tract cancers. In this paper, the main components of PPA such as polyphyllin, C21 steroids, sterols, and flavonoids, amongst others, are introduced, and the mechanisms of action and research progress of PPA and its active components in the treatment of various digestive tract cancers are reviewed and summarized. The main components of PPA have been thoroughly explored to provide more detailed references and innovative ideas for the further development and utilization of similar natural antitumor drugs.

Chemically protected sodium butyrate (CSB) is a novel form of sodium butyrate. This study aimed to investigate the effect of CSB supplementation on the gut mucosal immune, gut microbiota, and SCFAs in piglets. Results showed that supplementation with 2000 mg/kg (high CSB, HCSB) improved the average daily gain by 18.5 %, while supplementation with 1000 mg/kg (low CSB, LCSB) improved it by 6.9 %. qPCR results indicated HCSB treatment dramatically upregulated the mRNA expression levels of IL-10 by 47.1 %, CAT by 17.4 %, SOD1 by 48.2 %, and Claudin-1 by 50 %. Additionally, the SCFAs-producing bacteria Parabacteroides and Eubacterium coprostanoligenes were increased by HCSB supplementation. The levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, valeric acid, and isovaleric acid were significantly enhanced in the jejunal, duodenal, cecal, and colonic chyme of piglets by HCSB supplementation. Collectively, CSB supplementation improves anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities potentially through modulating gut microbiota and SCFAs in piglets.

Abstract Fruit color influences fruit quality and commodity value. Most longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) varieties have a yellowish-brown or grayish-yellow pericarp, and the discovery of red pericarp (RP) longan expanded the color varieties of longan fruit. Our previous research showed that the red pericarp of RP fruit was mainly caused by anthocyanin accumulation; however, its underlying regulatory mechanism remains unknown. Herein, DlMYB113, an R2R3-MYB transcription factor, was discovered by examining differentially expressed genes in two longan cultivars. Dimocarpus longan MYB (v-myb avian myeloblastosis viral) 113 (DlMYB113) expression was significantly higher in the pericarp and leaves of RP longan than in ‘Shixia’ longan. Sequence alignment analysis revealed two amino acid substitutions in the R3 domain between DlMYB113rp in RP longan and DlMYB113sx in ‘Shixia’ longan. Transient expression of DlMYB113rp significantly increased anthocyanin accumulation in tobacco leaves, whereas DlMYB113sx had negligible effect. Meanwhile, DlMYB113 overexpression promotes anthocyanin accumulation in Arabidopsis and longan calli. Site-directed mutation detection revealed divergence in DlMYB113 function when the R3 repeat 197-position base T was replaced with G, and the 317- and 318-position AT bases were replaced with GA. Our findings indicate that DlMYB113 can regulate anthocyanin production in RP longan, and three mutations in its nucleic acid sequence lead to anthocyanin accumulation, thereby developing molecular markers associated with the anthocyanin accumulation trait in RP longan. This study will facilitate early screening of longan hybrids with desirable fruit color and be significant for breeding new characteristic varieties.

Abstract With computational architectures becoming data‐centric and with the rise of in‐memory computing, the role of memory will be ever more crucial. In turn, storing massive amount of data demands for ultra‐low power and non‐volatile types necessitating new memory technologies. Here, a controllable nanoelectromechanical (NEM) spin memory is proposed for compact nonvolatile memory arrays. It combines the advantages of both nanomechanical and spin‐transfer torque (STT) magnetic memory devices to overcome fundamental scalability roadblocks of non‐hybrid alternatives. The hybrid system paves the way to a new memory technology in the regime of sub‐10‐nm lateral size with a sub‐1‐MA cm−2 switching energy.

AIM: To investigate thickness characteristics and vascular plexuses in retinas with reticular pseudodrusen (RPD) as an early detection strategy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). METHODS: This retrospective study included 24 subjects (33 eyes) with RPD and 25 heathy control subjects (34 eyes). The superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and the deep capillary plexus (DCP) of the retinal posterior poles were investigated with optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Retinal thicknesses and vessel densities were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The general retinal thicknesses of RPD eyes were significantly decreased (95%CI -14.080, -0.655; P=0.032). The vessel densities of DCP in RPD eyes were significantly increased in the global (95%CI 1.067, 7.312; P=0.027), parafoveal (95%CI 0.417, 5.241; P=0.022), and perifoveal (95%CI 0.181, 6.842; P=0.039) quadrants. However, the vessel densities of the SCP were rarely increased in the eyes with RPD. CONCLUSION: The thinning of retinas in the RPD group suggests a reduction in the number of cells. Additionally, the increased vessel density of the DCP in retinas with RPD indicates a greater demand for blood supply, possibly due to the hypoxia induced RPD compensation caused by RPD in the outer retina. This study highlights the pathological risks associated with RPD and emphasizes the importance of early intervention to retard the progression of AMD.

In the field of perovskite optoelectronics, developing hole-transporting materials (HTMs) on the spiro[fluorene-9,9′-xanthene] (SFX) platform is one of the current research focuses. The SFX inherits the merits of spirobifluorene in terms of the configuration and property, but it is more easily derivatized and regulated by virtue of its binary structure. In this work, we design and synthesize four isomeric SFX-based HTMs, namely m-SFX-mF, p-SFX-mF, m-SFX-oF, and p-SFX-oF, through varying the positions of fluorination on the peripheral aniline units and their substitutions on the SFX core, and the optoelectronic performance of the resulting HTMs is evaluated in both perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) by the vacuum thermal evaporating hole-transporting layers (HTLs). The HTM p-SFX-oF exhibits an improved power conversion efficiency of 15.21% in an inverted PSC using CH3NH3PbI3 as an absorber, benefiting from the deep HOMO level and good HTL/perovskite interface contact. Meanwhile, the HTM m-SFX-mF provides a maximum external quantum efficiency of 3.15% in CsPb(Br/Cl)3-based PeLEDs, which is attributed to its perched HOMO level and shrunken band-gap for facilitating charge carrier injection and then exciton combination. Through elucidating the synergistic position effect of fluorination on aniline units and their substitutions on the SFX core, this work lays the foundation for developing low-cost and efficient HTMs in the future.

In this study, a commercial sodium butyrate protected by a new buffer salt solution (NSB) was tested to determine whether it can be used as an antibiotic alternative in broiler production. A total of 192 1-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to three dietary treatments: soybean meal diet (CON), antibiotic diet (ANT, basal diet + 100 mg/kg aureomycin), and NSB (basal diet + 800 mg/kg NSB). The growth performance, serum anti-inflammatory cytokines, intestinal morphology, gut barrier function, antioxidative parameters, SCFAs’ content, and cecal microbiota were analyzed. The result showed that NSB significantly improved ADFI and ADG (p < 0.01), and decreased FCR (p < 0.01). Serum anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was up-regulated (p < 0.01), and pro-inflammatory TNF-α was down-regulated (p < 0.05) by NSB supplementation. H&E results showed that VH and the VH/CD ratio significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the jejunum and ileum in the NSB group. Furthermore, ZO-1 (p < 0.01), claudin-1 (p < 0.01), and occludin (p < 0.05) in the jejunum and claudin-1 (p < 0.01) and mucin-2 (p < 0.05) in the ileum were significantly up-regulated in the NSB group. Additionally, SOD (p < 0.05) and the T-AOC/MDA ratio (p < 0.01) in the jejunum and SOD in the ileum were significantly increased (p < 0.05) in the NSB group. The MDA level also significantly increased (p < 0.01) in the ANT group in the jejunum. Propionic acid (p < 0.05) and butyric acid (p < 0.01) content significantly increased in the NSB group in the jejunum and ileum segments. The 16S rRNA sequencing results showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) in alpha and beta diversity among the groups. LEFSe analysis also indicated that Peptostreptococcaceae, Colidextribacter, Firmicutes, Oscillospira, and Erysipelatoclostridiaceae, which promote SCFA production (p < 0.05), were identified as dominant taxon-enriched bacterial genera in the NSB group. The Spearman correlation analysis revealed that Colidextribacter with ADFI, ADG, VH, claudin-1 (p < 0.05), and unclassified_f__Peptostreptococcaceae with ADFI, IL-10, and ZO-1 were positively correlated (p < 0.05). Furthermore, ADFI and ADG with IL-10, claudin-1, SOD, T-AOC, and butyric acid (p < 0.05), and similarly, ADG with VH (p < 0.05), showed a positive correlation. In conclusion, NSB enhanced the growth performance by improving jejunum and ileum morphology, and serum anti-inflammatory cytokines, and by regulating the intestinal barrier function and antioxidant capacity, SCFAs’ content, and cecum microbiota, showing its potential use as an alternative to antibiotics in poultry nutrition.

Objective: In order to reuse the Areca catechu by-product—A. catechu pedicle, and improve the quality of mycelium of edible fungi, the effect of the pedicle aqueous extract on the liquid fermentation of edible fungi was investigated. Methods: Pleurotus ostreatus, Pleurotus citrinopileatus Singer, and Flammulina velutiper were selected as the test strains, and the effects of the addition of A. catechu pedicle aqueous extract on the quality of mycelium and the activity of enzymes related to the growth and metabolism of the three strains were investigated, by using mycelial growth rate, biomass, mycelial active ingredients and antioxidant activity as indicators. Results: The best growth effect was observed on the P. ostreatus, P. citrinopileatus and F. velutiper when 6.4, 4.8 and 4.8 mg/mL A. catechu pedicle aqueous extract was added, respectively. Compared with the control group, when adding 4.8～6.4 mg/mL A. catechu pedicle aqueous extract, the mycelium active ingredient content was significantly increased, and the mycelium triterpene content of P. ostreatus, P. citrinopileatus, and F. velutiper were increased by 95.24%, 70.91% and 75.00%, respectively. Moreover, A. catechu pedicle aqueous extract increased the antioxidant activity of mycelium, and the antioxidant capacity of mycelium was in the following order: P. citrinopileatus＞F. velutiper＞P. ostreatus; A. catechu pedicle aqueous extract increased the activities of amylase, cellulase, xylanase and laccase of the three strains to some extent, but the effect on the trend of enzyme activity was not significant. Conclusion: Adding the proper amount of aqueous extract of A. catechu pedicle can effectively improve the mycelial quality and the antioxidant activity of the three strains.

Abstract Background Pectin is a heteropolysaccharide that acts as an intestinal immunomodulator, promoting intestinal development and regulating intestinal flora in the gut. However, the relevant mechanisms remain obscure. In this study, pigs were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet supplemented with either 5% microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) or 5% pectin for 3 weeks, to investigate the metabolites and anti-inflammatory properties of the jejunum. Result The results showed that dietary pectin supplementation improved intestinal integrity (Claudin-1, Occludin) and inflammatory response [interleukin (IL)-10], and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) was down-regulated in the jejunum. Moreover, pectin supplementation altered the jejunal microbiome and tryptophan-related metabolites in piglets. Pectin specifically increased the abundance of Lactococcus, Enterococcus, and the microbiota-derived metabolites (skatole (ST), 3-indoleacetic acid (IAA), 3-indolepropionic acid (IPA), 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (HIAA), and tryptamine (Tpm)), which activated the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway. AhR activation modulates IL-22 and its downstream pathways. Correlation analysis revealed the potential relationship between metabolites and intestinal morphology, intestinal gene expression, and cytokine levels. Conclusion In conclusion, these results indicated that pectin inhibits the inflammatory response by enhancing the AhR-IL22-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling pathway, which is activated through tryptophan metabolites.

In the progress of realizing the commercialization of organic optoelectronic materials, the four basic coherent factors are stability, cost, performance, and processability, all which determine the results of device applications. Spiro[fluorene-9,9′-xanthene] (SFX) has been becoming the robust building-block that fulfilling the practical requirements due to its key features of non-planarity, one-pot facile availability, well-defined quality assurance as well as performance behaviors. In this review, we introduce the SFX and its analogues, including synthesis, molecular design, device performance, and structure-property relationship, in the applications of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic photovoltaics, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) and others. Furthermore, emitters or hosts for OLED and hole transport materials for PSCs are highlighted at the level of molecular configuration and film morphology. Tracing the thread from intrinsic photoelectric properties, molecular packing to optoelectronic application, the advantage of stability and low-cost of SFX-based materials are illuminated, and an outlook is given providing orientation for bring SFX into the fields of catalysis and energy chemistry in view of its binary conjugation and three-dimensional configuration.

In this work, a fluorescent complex [Zn(NTD)2(DTP)2(H2O)2]·(H2O)0.8 (Complex Zn), (H2NTD = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and DTP = 3,5-di(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)pyridine) was synthesized. The fluorescent complex was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric, elemental, infrared spectroscopy, and fluorescence analyses. In the fluorescence sensing tests, Complex Zn exhibited excellent fluorescence quenching efficiency towards Fe3+, MnO4−, Cr2O72−, nitrofurantoin, and imidacloprid in aqueous media. A mechanism investigation suggested that the fluorescence quenching caused by the quenchers toward the sensor was due to the inner filter effect and the fluorescence resonance energy transfer effect in the fluorescent sensing process.