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Abstract The Yadong trout (Salmo trutta), a species endemic to the Yatung River in Tibet, China, was classified as a second-class protected species in the 20th century. Now, it is considered one of the most important fishery resources in China. In this study, we assembled a near-complete genome of the S. trutta, integrating PacBio HiFi, Hi-C, and ONT sequencing technologies. The genome assembly spans 2.49 Gb, with 96.87% of the sequence anchored onto 40 chromosomes. In this assembly, a total of 12 chromosomes were assembled to a gap-free level, with 8 of them reaching the telomere-to-telomere level. The completeness of this assembly was assessed at 99.50% by BUSCO, containing approximately 63.24% repetitive sequences, and predicted to encode 41,782 protein-coding genes. This is the first near-complete genome assembly of the S. trutta, providing an essential resource for molecular breeding and germplasm conservation of this important species.

In this paper, we consider the existence of normalized solutions for the following Kirchhoff-type problem: \begin{equation*} -\left (a+b\int_{\mathbb{R}^{N}}|\nabla u|^{2}dx\right)\Delta u=\lambda u+|u|^{p-2}u+\mu |u|^{q-2}u\quad \mbox{in} \ \mathbb{R}^{N}, \end{equation*} with prescribed $L^{2}$-norm: \begin{equation*} \int_{\mathbb{R}^{N}}| u| ^{2}dx=c^{2}, \end{equation*} where $N=2,3$, $a\geq0$, $b>0$ and $c>0$ are constants, $\lambda \in \mathbb{R}$, $20$. The number $2+\frac{8}{N}$ behaves as the $L^2$-critical exponent for the above problem. We prove the multiplicity of normalized solutions for the above Kirchhoff-type problem with $L^2$-critical nonlinearity (that is, $p=2+\frac{8}{N}$) in the two cases: $2

Abstract Objectives Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an aggressive malignancy with high rates of morbidity and mortality, largely because of its late diagnosis and metastatic potential. Lactate metabolism and protein lactylation are thought to play roles in NPC pathogenesis by modulating the tumor microenvironment and immune evasion. However, research specifically linking lactate-related mechanisms to NPC remains limited. This study aimed to identify lactate-associated biomarkers in NPC and explore their underlying mechanisms, with a particular focus on immune modulation and tumor progression. Methods To achieve these objectives, we utilized a bioinformatics approach in which publicly available gene expression datasets related to NPC were analysed. Differential expression analysis revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between NPC and normal tissues. We performed weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify module genes significantly associated with NPC. Overlaps among DEGs, key module genes and lactate-related genes (LRGs) were analysed to derive lactate-related differentially expressed genes (LR-DEGs). Machine learning algorithms can be used to predict potential biomarkers, and immune infiltration analysis can be used to examine the relationships between identified biomarkers and immune cell types, particularly M0 macrophages and B cells. Results A total of 1,058 DEGs were identified between the NPC and normal tissue groups. From this set, 372 key module genes associated with NPC were isolated. By intersecting the DEGs, key module genes and lactate-related genes (LRGs), 17 lactate-related DEGs (LR-DEGs) were identified. Using three machine learning algorithms, this list was further refined, resulting in three primary lactate-related biomarkers: TPPP3, MUC4 and CLIC6. These biomarkers were significantly enriched in pathways related to “immune cell activation” and the “extracellular matrix environment”. Additionally, M0 and B macrophages were found to be closely associated with these biomarkers, suggesting their involvement in shaping the NPC immune microenvironment. Conclusion In summary, this study identified TPPP3, MUC4 and CLIC6 as lactate-associated clinical modelling indicators linked to NPC, providing a foundation for advancing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this malignancy.

Transparent photoresists with a high refractive index (RI) and high transmittance in visible wavelengths have promising functionalities in optical fields. This work reports a kind of tunable optical material composed of titanium dioxide nanoparticles embedded in acrylic resin with a high RI for ultraviolet (UV)-imprint lithography. The hybrid film exhibits a tunable RI of up to 1.67 (589 nm) after being cured by UV light, while maintaining both a high transparency of over 98% in the visible light range and a low haze of less than 0.05%. The precision machining of optical microstructures can be imprinted easily and efficiently using the hybrid resin, which acts as a light guide plate (LGP) to guide the light from the side to the top in order to conserve the energy of the display device. These preliminary studies based on both laboratory and commercial experiments pave the way for exploiting the unparalleled optical properties of nanocomposite resins and promoting their industrial application.

Abstract Background Proper sedation of patients, particularly elderly individuals, who are more susceptible to sedation-related complications, is of significant importance in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This study aims to assess the safety and efficacy of a low-dose combination of midazolam, alfentanil, and propofol for deep sedation in elderly patients undergoing ERCP, compared to a group of middle-aged patients. Methods The medical records of 610 patients with common bile duct stones who underwent elective ERCP under deep sedation with a three-drug regimen, including midazolam, alfentanil, and propofol at Shandong Provincial Third Hospital from January 2023 to September 2023 were retrospectively reviewed in this study. Patients were categorized into three groups: middle-aged (50–64 years, n = 202), elderly (65–79 years, n = 216), and very elderly (≥ 80 years, n = 192). Intraoperative vital signs and complications were compared among these groups. Results The three groups showed no significant difference in terms of intraoperative variation of systolic blood pressure (P = 0.291), diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.737), heart rate (P = 0.107), peripheral oxygen saturation (P = 0.188), bispectral index (P = 0.158), and the occurrence of sedation-related adverse events including hypotension (P = 0.170) and hypoxemia (P = 0.423). Conclusion The results suggest that a low-dose three-drug regimen consisting of midazolam, alfentanil, and propofol seems safe and effective for deep sedation of elderly and very elderly patients undergoing ERCP procedures. However, further studies are required to verify these findings and clarify the benefits and risks of this method.

Cephalopods, which have a rapid growth rate and short life cycle, are regarded as an important marine fishing resource. Sepioteuthis lessoniana is among the most widely distributed species in the Loliginidae family in the Indo-Western Pacific Ocean. Its meat is delicious and nutritious. It is widespread in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and other marine areas in China, and it is considered an important local marine resource. In this study, the ultrastructure of the oviducal gland of S. lessoniana was investigated for the first time via anatomical dissection, tissue sectioning, and electron microscope projection. The external morphology and internal structure of the gland were clearly described, as well as the role of the oviduct gland in the reproductive activities of cephalopods. In this experiment, all the samples were collected from the open ocean, with the samples of wild S. lessoniana coming from marine areas in Fujian Province. The body surfaces of the samples were healthy and undamaged, with an average mantle length of (17.5±6.4) cm and an average body weight of (392.0±76.0) g. The samples were dissected using standard anatomical methods, and the glandular characteristics were recorded. The oviducal gland was dissected with a scalpel for tissue sectioning and preserved for electron microscope projection and observation. The experimental results showed that S. lessoniana had a single oviducal gland, which was located on the right side of its abdominal cavity. The sexually mature gland was milky white overall, with brownish-yellow pigmentation near the inner shell. The oviducal gland was enveloped in a transparent membrane, and regular gaps were visible. The gland consisted of three parts: the proximal oviducal gland, the distal oviducal gland, and the transparent valve. The proximal oviducal gland was infundibular and connected with the hyaline oviduct. The distal oviducal gland was cylindrically tapering, and a single mature egg was observed inside. The transparent valve was at the end of the gland, also known as the valve. The microstructure of the oviducal gland was observed via a microscope. The gland was composed of a glandular wall, lamellar, and muscle tissue. The glandular wall tissue was composed of adventitia, loose connective tissue, and a small amount of muscle tissue, blood vessels, and ducts that were scattered in the connective tissue. The transparent valve was composed of columnar epithelial cells and muscle tissue. A small number of water-droplet goblet cells were dispersed between the epithelial cells, while a large number of cilia were generated on the exterior. The lamellar was attached to the glandular wall tissue and distributed in layers within the gland; it was mainly composed of ciliated columnar epithelium and support cells. When the oviducal gland was at various development stages, the cell types of the lamellar and the size of the intercellular space within the leaflet were different. When the gland was immature, the lobe had a regular shape, with more connective tissue in the center and a single layer of columnar epithelial cells on each side. When the gland was about to mature, the connective tissue increased, the number of columnar epithelial cells decreased, and a large number of mucous acinus were simultaneously generated. After the glands matured and spawned, the amount of connective tissue decreased, the columnar epithelial cells disappeared, the mucous acinus ruptured, and the secretory leaflets were filled with secretory substances. The individual oviduct gland secretory cells of S. lessoniana were large and contained many closely arranged mucus granules, which were round or oval in shape. The cytoplasm contained many organelles, such as the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and Golgi apparatus. In addition, secretory cells were continuously distributed outside the cell with cilia and numerous secretory granules. The nucleus of the muscle cells in the hyaline valve was irregular, and a substantial number of myofilaments, collagen fibers, and capillaries could be seen around it. The oviducal gland is an important gland in the reproductive system of female cephalopods. The morphological characteristics of oviducal glands, such as the number, shape, size, and presence or absence of pigmentation, are some of the distinguishing characteristics between different cephalopod species. The tissue structure and cell types of the cephalopod oviducal glands changed with the growth of individuals. The changes in oviducal glands in S. lessoniana were similar to those in Loligo forbesi. The secretory lobes successively generated an increasing number of mucous acini and secretory substances as cell types shifted. These secreted substances had multiple functions, such as attracting sperm during the sperm-egg hatching process, expanding the chorionic membrane, forming the vitelline space, and regulating the osmotic pressure between the fertilized egg and the ambient seawater. However, the oviducal glands of the orders Cuttlefish and Liliformes differ from those of the order Occarpus, whose oviducal glands had the function of storing sperm. It is concluded that the oviducal gland primarily plays a secretory function in the reproductive activities of cephalopods and that its secretory material forms the second layer of the egg membrane of fertilized eggs, ensuring the normal hatching of fertilized eggs.

Yadong trout (Salmo trutta fario) is an important and characteristic aquaculture fish species in Yadong, Xizang, China. Farmed Yadong trout has been produced on a large scale. Usually, two different-colored eggs (yellow and orange) are produced during Yadong trout farming and show differential reproductive performance. There has been very limited information on the nutrient composition of eggs with different colors, and relevant results have only been reported for rainbow trout. The present study aimed to analyze the nutrient compositions in different-colored Yadong trout eggs to elucidate the factors responsible for the different reproductive performances of the two egg types. The experimental samples were collected from Yadong Industry Park, where the broodstocks were reared with artificial compound feeds. Each egg type was analyzed in 3 replicates. Yellow eggs were produced by 2–3 year-old broodstocks, and orange eggs were produced from 3–5 year-old broodstocks. After spawning, the eggs were cryopreserved and transported to the laboratory by plane. The samples were lyophilized and used for the determination of proximate composition, fatty acids, amino acids, and other reproduction-related nutrients. The crude protein and crude lipid contents were analyzed using the Kjeldahl and Soxhlet extraction methods, respectively. The fatty acid composition (expressed as % total fatty acids) and amino acid composition (expressed as % dry matter) were assayed using gas chromatography and an automatic amino acid analyzer, respectively. The protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde concentration were assayed using commercial kits supplied by Nanjing Jiancheng Bioengineering Institute. The α-vitamin E and astaxanthin were assayed using national standard methods, and the α-vitamin E was measured from wet samples. The statistics of proximate composition, fatty acids, and amino acids data were determined using a t-test for independent samples. The results were expressed as mean ± standard error, and showed that yellow eggs had lower contents of crude protein and ash contents, but higher contents of crude lipid and moisture than orange eggs. There was no significant difference in carbohydrate and energy content between yellow and orange eggs. The saturated fatty acid (SFA), n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contents of yellow eggs were significantly lower than those of orange eggs, while the n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFA) and EPA contents did not differ significantly between the two egg types. The C16:0 and C20:0 contents of yellow eggs were significantly lower than those of orange eggs, while the contents of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), including C16:1n-7, C18:1n-9, C20:1n-9, and C22:1n-9, of yellow eggs were significantly higher than those of orange eggs. The contents of essential amino acids, non-essential amino acids, and total amino acids were slightly lower in yellow eggs compared to orange eggs. Among the essential amino acids, the contents of valine, methionine, leucine, lysine, and histidine in yellow eggs were significantly lower than those in orange eggs. Among the non-essential amino acids, except for glycine and alanine which were significantly lower in yellow eggs than in orange eggs, the contents of other amino acids did not differ significantly between the two egg types. The contents of protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde in yellow eggs were higher than those in orange eggs, while the contents of α-vitamin E and astaxanthin in yellow eggs were lower than those in orange eggs. In conclusion, orange eggs had higher contents of protein, some essential amino acids, DHA, α-vitamin E, and astaxanthin, but lower contents of MUFA, crude lipid, and peroxidation products (protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde) than yellow eggs. These differences in nutrient composition may contribute to the superior reproductive performance of orange eggs over yellow eggs.

A novel poly(ether block amide) (PEBA) based solid-state polymer electrolyte (SPE) was prepared using a casting method, in which 20wt% lithium (Li) bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles were used as the Li salt and solid plasticizer, respectively. In the case of addition of 3wt% Al2O3 nanoparticles, ion conductivity of the obtained PEBA 2533–20wt% LiTFSI-3wt% Al2O3 SPE was 3.57 × 10−5 S cm−1 at 25 °C. Furthermore, the Li symmetrical battery assembled with it showed excellent cycling stability (1000 h) at 0.1 mA cm−2. While, the assembled all-solid-state Li/PEBA 2533–20% LiTFSI-3wt% Al2O3/LiFePO4 (areal capacity: 0.15 mAh cm−2) battery maintained 94.9% of the maximal capacity (133.9 mAh g−1@0.1 mA cm−2) at 60 °C even after 650 cycles with a superior average coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.84%. By using X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS), self-aggregation layer (SAL) of polyamide 12 (PA12) of PEBA 2533 was discovered, which should contribute to promoting the robustness of lithium fluoride (LiF) enriched solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. In addition, it is considered that the state of interface between SPE and cathode should be the cause of voltage polarization of the full cell.

In order to study the bactericidal mechanism of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) against Salmonella enteritidis, the effects of SAEW on cell membrane permeability, cell membrane integrity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and intracellular ATP of Salmonella enteritidis were studied. The results showed that 2.04 lg (CFU/g) of Salmonella enteritidis on the surface of eggshells was inactivated after the SAEW treatment at the available chlorine concentration of 10 mg/L for 1 min. Moreover, relative to the control group, the conductivity of bacterial suspension of Salmonella enteritidis was increased from 13.78±0.13 ms/cm to 16.32±0.10 ms/cm (P

The study aimed to uncover the molecular response of juvenile Sebastes schlegelii to air exposure stress by identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that may underlie their anti-stress mechanisms. Juvenile Sebastes schlegelii were subjected to varying durations of air exposure stress. The total RNA was extracted from whole tissues and sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform. The transcriptome data were analyzed to identify DEGs through pairwise comparisons across a control group and two experimental groups exposed to air for 40 s and 2 min 30 s, respectively. The comparative DEG analysis revealed a significant number of transcripts responding to air exposure stress. Specifically, 5173 DEGs were identified in the 40 s exposure group (BS) compared to the control (BC), 6742 DEGs in the 2 min 30 s exposure group (BD) compared to the control (BC), and 2653 DEGs when comparing the BD to the BS group. Notably, Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed an enrichment of DEGs associated with peptidase activity and extracellular regions, suggesting a role in the organism’s stress response. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis pointed to the involvement of metabolic pathways, which are crucial for energy management under stress. The upregulation of protein digestion and absorption pathways may indicate a physiological adaptation to nutrient scarcity during stress. Additionally, the identification of antibiotic biosynthesis pathways implies a potential role in combating stress-induced infections or damage. The identified DEGs and enriched pathways provide insights into the complex anti-stress response mechanisms in juvenile Sebastes schlegelii. The enrichment of peptidase activity and extracellular region-related genes may reflect the initiation of tissue repair and immune response following air exposure. The connection between protein digestion and absorption pathways and anti-stress capabilities could be interpreted as a metabolic readjustment to prioritize energy-efficient processes and nutrient assimilation during stress. The role of antibiotic biosynthesis pathways suggests a defensive mechanism against oxidative stress or microbial invasion that might occur with air exposure.

The grain size effect is an important factor in determining the material removal behavior of polycrystalline silicon (p-Si). In the present study, to improve the understanding of nanoscale machining of p-Si, we performed molecular dynamics simulation of nanometric cutting on a p-Si workpiece and discussed the grain size effect on material removal behavior and subsurface damage formation. The simulation results indicate that when cutting on the polycrystal workpiece, the material removal process becomes unstable compared with single crystals. Higher removal efficiency, less elastic recovery and higher frictional coefficient are observed as the average grain size decreases. In the subsurface workpiece, when the grain size decreases, slip along grain boundaries merges as a nonnegligible process of the plastic deformation and suppresses the elastic deformation ahead of the cutting tool. It is also revealed that when cutting on a polycrystal workpiece with smaller grains, the average stress decreases while the workpiece temperature increases due to the impediment of heat transfer by grain boundaries. These results could provide a fundamental understanding in the material deformation mechanism of p-Si during nanoscale machining.

Yadong trout (Salmo trutta fario), the only salmonid fish in the Tibetan Plateau, is a national agricultural product with geographical indications in Yadong. The development of Yadong trout aquaculture has significant implications for local farmers. However, no study has yet investigated the nutrient requirements of this fish. This study aimed to analyze the proximate amino acid, and fatty acid composition of various tissues of wild and farmed Yadong trout, in order to provide a reference for the evaluation of fish fillets and the formulation of optimal feed. Ten wild fish captured in the Yadong River, and 10 fish farmed with formulated feed in Yadong Industry Park were used in this study. The farmed fish were F1 generation wild broodstock captured in the Yadong River and fed formulated feeds throughout their lifetime. The body length of wild Yadong trout was in the range of 13.4~28.7 cm, and the body weight was in the range of 38.48~346.85 g. The body length and body weight of farmed Yadong trout were in the range of 16.4~24.5 cm and 78.39~275.29 g, respectively. Frozen samples were transported to the laboratory by flight. The proximate composition of whole fish, muscle, and liver; fatty acid composition of whole fish and various tissues including muscle, liver, intestine, brain, and eye; as well as amino acid composition of whole fish, muscle, and liver were analyzed. The fatty acid composition (expressed as % total fatty acids) and amino acid composition (expressed as % dry matter basis) were assayed using gas chromatography and an automatic amino acid analyzer, respectively. In addition, t-tests were performed for independent samples; results are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation. The results showed that wild fish had lower condition factors but higher moisture and ash content than farmed fish. Wild fish muscle had lower crude lipid content but higher moisture content than farmed fish. The whole-body protein and lipid contents, as well as the proximate composition of the liver, were not significantly different between wild and farmed fish (P > 0.05). The contents of saturated fatty acids (mainly C16:0 and C18:0) and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) in whole fish, muscle, and liver were significantly higher (P < 0.05), whereas contents of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) (mainly C16:1n-7 and C18:1n-9) and n-6 PUFA (mainly C18:2n-6) were significantly lower in wild Yadong trout than in farmed Yadong trout (P < 0.05). EPA and C20:4n-6 in whole fish, muscle, and liver, as well as DHA in the muscle of wild Yadong trout were significantly higher than those in farmed Yadong trout (P < 0.05). In the intestine of wild Yadong trout, the contents of C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C16:1n-7, C20:5n-3, and C22:5n-3 were significantly higher (P < 0.05), while those of C18:1n-9 and C18:2n-6 were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in the farmed fish. In the brain of wild Yadong trout, the contents of C16:1n-7, C20:5n-3, and C22:5n-3 were significantly higher (P < 0.05), while the contents of C18:1n-9 and C20:2n-6 were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of farmed fish. In the eyes of wild Yadong trout, the contents of C14:0, C16:0, and C18:0, C16:1n-7, C20:1n-9, C20:2n-6, C20:4n-6, C20:5n-3, and C22:5n-3 were significantly higher (P < 0.05), while the contents of C18:1n-9, C22:1n-9, C24:1n-9, C18:2n-6, and C18:3n-3 were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those of farmed Yadong trout. The total essential amino acid content in wild fish was significantly higher than that in farmed fish. The contents of threonine, valine, phenylalanine, lysine, and glycine in the muscle of wild fish were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in farmed fish, while no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in other amino acids. These results indicate that wild Yadong trout were leaner than farmed trout in terms of muscle lipid content. For trout, which are mainly consumed fresh, this trait may make farmed Yadong trout more acceptable than wild trout. However, in terms of fatty acid composition and amino acids, the wild Yadong trout seemed to be more acceptable than farmed trout. In particular, n-3 PUFA content is an important nutritional trait in fish fillets. The wild Yadong trout had higher n-3 PUFA contents than the farmed trout. Thus, the fish oil in the feeds of Yadong trout should not be omitted, considering that fish chemical composition generally reflects that of their diets. In addition, the price of alternative oils such as soybean oil is no longer low; the use of lipid sources in the diets of Yadong trout should be reviewed. Similarly, the essential amino acid content in wild Yadong trout was higher than that in the farmed trout, suggesting that the protein sources should be reviewed, and a certain level of fish meal should be guaranteed. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that the formulated feeds of Yadong trout need to be further optimized.

In the actual working process of the motor, there will be short-term overload conditions, which puts forward higher requirements for maintaining the overload capacity of the motor. Due to the limitation of the thermal limit on the overload capacity of the motor, taking a 250kW permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) as an example, this paper proposes a thermal management scheme of companion-type direct cooling, and establishes a three-dimensional thermal network model considering the secondary circulation factor. At the same time, in order to explore the influence of the thermal management scheme on the overload capacity of the motor when there is an impact load, on the premise that there is a safety margin for the hottest spot temperature of the winding under the rated state of the motor, the impact load is simulated by setting the overload torque, the thermal network model is used to compare and analyze the temperature field of the motor based on the companion-type direct cooling and the indirect casing cooling, and combining with the insulation limit to quantitatively compare the overload capacity of the motor after impact load. Through the simulation test, it is verified that the motor based on the companion-type direct cooling has efficient heat dissipation and stronger impact-resistance overload capability. The proposal of the companion-type direct cooling scheme has important practical significance for excavating the load potential of the motor under actual operating conditions.

Studies have found that the substances secreted by the nidamental gland are involved in the formation of the third-level membrane of the fertilized egg and may be closely related to the reproductive activities of cephalopods. However, there is currently a lack in molecular evidence of the involvement of the nidamental gland in reproductive regulation. In this study, RNA sequencing was performed of the nidamental gland tissue of female golden cuttlefish, Sepia esculenta (Hoyle) collected at three key physiological stages: growth stage (NG), spawning stage (NS), and post-reproductive death stage (NA). In total, 65.59 Gb of clean data (Q20 > 96%) were obtained. Pairwise comparative analyses of NG vs. NS and NG vs. NA identified 1889 and 6574 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively, while only 95 DEGs were identified by comparison of NS vs. NA. Venn diagrams of the three developmental groups identified 7021 DEGs. By analyzing genes classified as “reproduction” and “reproductive process” in the GO functional classification, the 14–3–3 protein epsilon-like gene and zinc finger RNA-binding protein-like gene were identified. The significantly enriched pathways included the cell cycle, protein digestion and absorption, p53 signaling pathway, mTOR signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and lysosomes. Furthermore, the “mucin type O-glycan biosynthesis” and “steroid biosynthesis” pathways related to reproduction were significantly enriched during spawning and senescent stages. This study clarified the regulation of transcript expression in the nidamental gland of S. esculenta at different physiological stages, thereby providing a valuable genomic resource to reveal the role of the nidamental gland in reproduction.

IntroductionProsocial risky behavior (PRB) proposes that individuals take risks for others’ benefits or social welfare, and that this may involve trade-offs between risk and social preferences. However, little is known about the underlying cognitive mechanisms of risk-seeking or aversion during PRB.MethodsThis study adopted the dilemma-priming paradigm to examine the interaction between the risk levels of personal cost and situational urgency on PRB (Experiment 1, N = 88), and it further uncovered the modulation of the risk levels of failure (Experiment 2, N = 65) and peer presence (Experiment 3, N = 80) when helping others.ResultsIn Experiment 1, the participants involved in risky dilemmas made more altruistic choices for strangers in urgent situations compared to those for strangers in non-urgent situations. However, increasing the risk levels of personal cost decreased the frequencies of help offered to strangers in urgent situations. Experiment 2 further established that, similar to the risk of personal cost, increasing the risk levels of failure when helping others also decreased the frequencies of help offered to strangers in urgent situations. Furthermore, in dilemmas involving a low-risk personal cost, Experiment 3 showed that peer presence encouraged the participants to make more altruistic choices when providing help to strangers in non-urgent situations.DiscussionIndividuals demonstrate obvious risk-seeking behavior when helping others and that both non-urgent situations and peer presence weaken the effect of increased risk aversion on PRB in a limited manner.

Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is known as an important semiconductor material with favorable physical properties. However, as a soft-brittle material, the fabrication of high-quality surfaces on CdTe is quite challenging. To improve the fundamental understanding of the nanoscale deformation mechanisms of CdTe, in this paper, MD simulation was performed to explore the nano-grinding process of CdTe with consideration of the effects of grain size and grinding depth. The simulation results indicate that during nano-grinding, the dominant grinding mechanism could switch from elastic deformation to ploughing, and then cutting as the grinding depth increases. It was observed that the critical relative grain sharpness (RGS) for the transition from ploughing to cutting is greatly influenced by the grain size. Furthermore, as the grinding depth increases, the dominant subsurface damage mechanism could switch from surface friction into slip motion along the directions. Meanwhile, as the grain size increases, less friction-induced damage is generated in the subsurface workpiece, and more dislocations are formed near the machined groove. Moreover, regardless of the grain size, it was observed that the generation of dislocation is more apparent as the dominant grinding mechanism becomes ploughing and cutting.

Allogeneic amnion tissues have been widely used in tissue repair and regeneration, especially a remarkable trend of clinical uses in chronic wound repair. The virus inactivation procedures are necessary and required to be verified for the clinical use and approval of biological products. Cobalt-60 (Co-60) or electron-beam (e-beam) is the common procedure for virus and bacterial reduction, but the excessive dose of irradiation was reported to be harmful to biological products. Herein, we present a riboflavin (RB)-ultraviolet light (UV) method for virus inactivation of amnion and chorion tissues. We used the standard in vitro limiting dilution assay to test the viral reduction capacity of the RB-UV method on amnion or chorion tissues loaded with four types of model viruses. We found RB-UV was a very effective procedure for inactivating viruses of amnion and chorion tissues, which could be used as a complementary method to Co-60 irradiation. In addition, we also screened the washing solutions and drying methods for the retention of growth factors.

To improve the amylose content (AC) and resistant starch content (RSC) of maize kernel starch, we employed the CRISPR/Cas9 system to create mutants of starch branching enzyme I (SBEI) and starch branching enzyme IIb (SBEIIb). A frameshift mutation in SBEI (E1, a nucleotide insertion in exon 6) led to plants with higher RSC (1.07%), lower hundred-kernel weight (HKW, 24.71 ± 0.14 g), and lower plant height (PH, 218.50 ± 9.42 cm) compared to the wild type (WT). Like the WT, E1 kernel starch had irregular, polygonal shapes with sharp edges. A frameshift mutation in SBEIIb (E2, a four-nucleotide deletion in exon 8) led to higher AC (53.48%) and higher RSC (26.93%) than that for the WT. E2 kernel starch was significantly different from the WT regarding granule morphology, chain length distribution pattern, X-ray diffraction pattern, and thermal characteristics; the starch granules were more irregular in shape and comprised typical B-type crystals. Mutating SBEI and SBEIIb (E12) had a synergistic effect on RSC, HKW, PH, starch properties, and starch biosynthesis-associated gene expression. SBEIIa, SSI, SSIIa, SSIIIa, and SSIIIb were upregulated in E12 endosperm compared to WT endosperm. This study lays the foundation for rapidly improving the starch properties of elite maize lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this paper, molecular dynamics simulations are carried out to investigate the cutting mechanism during the hybrid machining process combined the thermal and vibration assistants. A modified cutting model is applied to study the material removal behavior and subsurface damage formation in one vibration cycle. The results indicate that during the hybrid machining process, the dominant material removal mechanism could transform from extrusion to shearing in a single vibration cycle. With an increase of the cutting temperature, the generation and propagation of cracks are effectively suppressed while the swelling appears when the dominant material removal mechanism becomes shearing. The formation mechanism of the subsurface damage in one vibration cycle can be distinct according to the stress distribution. Moreover, the generation of the vacancies in workpiece becomes apparent with increasing temperature, which is an important phenomenon in hybrid machining process.

Offshore cephalopods usually experience a short and extreme senescence process at the end of their lives. Unique behaviors such as brooding and fasting occur during this period. The cause of senescent cephalopod death is still unknown. Excessive energy consumption under prolonged starvation is one possible reason for death. A comparison analysis between normal starvation and senescence may provide valuable information to deepen our understanding of the senescence process of cephalopods. In this study, a comparison of behavior, histology and expression of a candidate senescence-specific gene (Imaginal morphogenesis protein-Late 2, ImpL2) of female Octopus sinensis under normal starvation and senescence was conducted. The females in the starvation group had similar behaviors, histology and ImpL2 expression level to the control group. The females in the senescence group exhibited typical behaviors and symptoms of senescent octopus, including fasting and unhealed lesions on the skin. Moreover, swimming and grasping ability was weakened in senescent individuals. The muscle tissue in the mantle and arm of senescent females showed a histolytic appearance. The secretory cells and their microvilli in the digestive gland gradually degraded and disappeared during senescence. The expression level of ImpL2 gene significantly changes in multiple organs of senescent females. The results showed that O. sinensis underwent different physiological and molecular processes during starvation and senescence. Starvation alone could not lead to senescent symptoms in the octopus. Tissue degeneration in the mantle, arm and digestive gland would increase the death risk of the octopus.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms contribute to phenotypic diversity in maize. Creation and functional annotation of point mutations has been limited by the low efficiency of conventional methods based on random mutation. An efficient tool for generating targeted single-base mutations is desirable for both functional genomics and precise genetic improvement. The objective of this study was to test the efficiency of targeted C-to-T base editing of two non-allelic acetolactate synthase (ALS) in generating sulfonylurea herbicide-resistant mutants. A CRISPR/Cas9 nickase-cytidine deaminase fused with uracil DNA glycosylase inhibitor (UGI) was employed to achieve targeted conversion of cytosine to thymine in ZmALS1 and ZmALS2. Both protoplasts and recovered mutant plants showed the activity of the cytosine base editor, with an in vivo efficiency of up to 13.8%. Transgene-free edited plants harboring a homozygous ZmALS1 mutation or a ZmALS1 and ZmALS2 double mutation were tested for their resistance at a dose of up to 15-fold the recommended limit of chlorsulfuron, a sulfonylurea herbicide widely used in agriculture. Targeted base editing of C-to-T per se and a phenotype verified in the generated mutants demonstrates the power of base editing in precise maize breeding.

Waxy maize is a specialty maize that produces mainly amylopectin starch with special food or industrial values. The objective of this study was to overcome the limitations of wx mutant allele acquisition and breeding efficiency by conversion of parental lines from normal to waxy maize. The intended mutation activity was achieved by in vivo CRISPR/Cas9 machinery involving desired-target mutation of the Wx locus in the ZC01 background, abbreviated as ZC01-DTMwx. Triple selection was applied to segregants to obtain high genome background recovery with transgene-free wx mutations. The targeted mutation was identified, yielding six types of mutations among progeny crossed with ZC01-DTMwx. The amylopectin contents of the endosperm starch in mutant lines and hybrids averaged 94.9%, while those of the wild-type controls were significantly (P

Anglerfishes are a highly diverse group of species with unique characteristics. Here, we report the first chromosome-level genome of a species in the order Lophiiformes, the yellow goosefish (Lophius litulon), obtained by whole genome shotgun sequencing and high-throughput chromatin conformation capture. Approximately 97.20% of the assembly spanning 709.23 Mb could be anchored to 23 chromosomes with a contig N50 of 164.91 kb. The BUSCO value was 95.4%, suggesting that the quality of the assembly was high. A comparative gene family analysis identified expanded and contracted gene families, and these may be associated with adaptation to the benthic environment and the lack of scales in the species. A majority of positively selected genes were related to metabolic processes, suggesting that digestive and metabolic system evolution expanded the diversity of yellow goosefish prey. Our study provides a valuable genetic resource for understanding the mechanisms underlying the unique features of the yellow goosefish and for investigating anglerfish evolution.

Single crystal Si subsurface damage and phase transformation caused by laser-assisted nanometric cutting were investigated in this paper through the ultraprecision cutting experiments and molecular dynamics simulation. Post-cutting examination of a crystal's subsurface revealed a distorted SiI layer and an amorphous Si with embedded nanocrystalline Si-III and Si-XII. As a result of insufficient contact pressure during laser-assisted cutting, the amorphous Si was directly generated from the SiI through the collapse of the crystal lattice rather than from the intermediate high-pressure phase Si-II. The newly-formed amorphous Si crystallized partially during the laser-assisted cutting and transformed into metastable Si-III and Si-XII phases caused by the laser annealing effect. In comparison to machining without laser assistance, it was found that dislocation activity was increased by a factor of ~8 × 1014 when laser assistance was applied. This gave rise to enhancement of plastic deformability of the material, with the critical ductile-brittle transition depth of cut increasing from 150 nm to 395 nm and the thickness and extent of stress in the distorted SiI subsurface layer being reduced. Keywords: Single crystal silicon, Nanometric cutting, Subsurface damage, Phase transformation, Laser assisted

Single-guide RNA (sgRNA) is one of the two core components of the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat)/Cas (CRISPR-associated) genome-editing technology. We established an in vitro Traffic Light Reporter (TLR) system, which is designated as the same colors as traffic lights such as green, red and yellow were produced in cells. The TLR can be readily used in maize mesophyll protoplast for a quick test of promoter activity. The TLR assay indicates the variation in transcription activities of the seven Pol III promoters, from 3.4% (U6-1) to over 21.0% (U6-6). The U6-2 promoter, which was constructed to drive sgRNA expression targeting the ZmWx1 gene, yielded mutation efficiencies ranging from 48.5% to 97.1%. Based on the reported and unpublished data, the in vitro TLR assay results were confirmed to be a readily system and may be extended to other plant species amenable to efficient genome editing via CRISPR/Cas. Our efforts provide an efficient method of identifying native Pol III-recognized promoters for RNA guide-based genome-editing systems in maize. Keywords: CRISPR/Cas, Genome editing, RNA polymerase III promoters, Maize

Inversions are DNA rearrangements that are essential for plant gene evolution and adaptation to environmental changes. We demonstrate the creation of targeted inversions and previously reported targeted deletion mutations via delivery of a pair of RNA-guided endonucleases (RGENs) of CRISPR/Cas9. The efficiencies of the targeted inversions were 2.6% and 2.2% in the Arabidopsis FLOWERING TIME (AtFT) and TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (AtTFL1) loci, respectively. Thus, we successfully established an approach that can potentially be used to introduce targeted DNA inversions of interest for functional studies and crop improvement.

Tool wear is one of the bottlenecks that decrease the machinability of hard and brittle materials in single point diamond turning (SPDT). Specifically, a microgroove generated on the cutting edge is an important character of tool wear, which leads to the formation of subcutting edges and facilitates the ductile to brittle transition in machining. However, the mechanism of the groove wear influence on the machined workpiece, especially the subsurface damage, is not clear just by the experimental investigations. In this paper, molecular dynamic simulations were carried out to explore the influence of groove wear on workpiece subsurface damage in SPDT of single crystal silicon. The propagation of grooves was also investigated by discussion of the stress and temperature distribution on the cutting edge. The Weierstrass-Mandelbrot function was adopted to set up groove wear on the tool flank face. It is concluded that grooves improve the atomic flowing ability and the plastic deformation in the workpiece. Moreover, the grooves can also cause polycrystal transition in the workpiece subsurface. The thickness of the subsurface damaged region is increased when groove wear becomes severe. This study contributes to the understanding of the details involved in the interaction between tool groove wear and workpiece, which is advantageous to improve the machined surface quality.

The first complete mitochondrial genome of the wolf-eel (Anarrhichthys ocellatus) was determined and analyzed in this work. It had a circular mapping molecular with the length of 16,506 bp and contained 12S and 16S rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, 13 protein-coding genes, and a 851 bp D-loop in the typical arrangement of the vertebrate consensus. Phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial genome sequences of 47 representative species within the order Perciformes suggests that A. ocellatus is closely related to the species in the family Anarhichadidae. Anarrhichthys ocellatus mitogenome can contribute to our understanding of the phylogeny and evolution of this species.

Gray leaf spot (GLS), caused by Cercospora zeae-maydis, is an important foliar disease of maize (Zea mays L.) worldwide, resistance to which is controlled by multiple quantitative trait loci (QTL). To gain insights into the genetic architecture underlying the resistance to this disease, an association mapping population consisting of 161 inbred lines was evaluated for resistance to GLS in a plant pathology nursery at Shenyang in 2010 and 2011. Subsequently, a genome-wide association study, using 41,101 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), identified 51 SNPs significantly (P < 0.001) associated with GLS resistance, which could be converted into 31 QTL. In addition, three candidate genes related to plant defense were identified, including nucleotide-binding-site/leucine-rich repeat, receptor-like kinase genes similar to those involved in basal defense. Two genic SNPs, PZE-103142893 and PZE-109119001, associated with GLS resistance in chromosome bins 3.07 and 9.07, can be used for marker-assisted selection (MAS) of GLS resistance. These results provide an important resource for developing molecular markers closely linked with the target trait, enhancing breeding efficiency.

A novel poly(ether block amide) (PEBA) based solid-state polymer electrolyte (SPE) was prepared using a casting method, in which 20wt% lithium (Li) bis-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3) nanoparticles were used as the Li salt and solid plasticizer, respectively. In the case of addition of 3wt% Al 2 O 3 nanoparticles, ion conductivity of the obtained PEBA 2533-20wt% LiTFSI-3wt% Al 2 O 3 SPE was 3.57 × 10 - 5 S cm - 1 at 25 °C. Furthermore, the Li symmetrical battery assembled with it showed excellent cycling stability (1000 h) at 0.1 mA cm - 2. While, the assembled all-solid-state Li/PEBA 2533-20% LiTFSI-3wt% Al 2 O 3/LiFePO 4 (areal capacity: 0.15 mAh cm - 2) battery maintained 94.9% of the maximal capacity (133.9 mAh g - 1@0.1 mA cm - 2) at 60 °C even after 650 cycles with a superior average coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.84%. By using X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS), self-aggregation layer (SAL) of polyamide 12 (PA12) of PEBA 2533 was discovered, which should contribute to promoting the robustness of lithium fluoride (LiF) enriched solidelectrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. In addition, it is considered that the state of interface between SPE and cathode should be the cause of voltage polarization of the full cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:Blast lung injury is a common type of blast injury and has very high mortality. Therefore, research to identify medical therapies for blast injury is important. Perfluorocarbon (PFC) is used to improve gas exchange in diseased lungs and has anti-inflammatory functions in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to determine whether PFC reduces damage to A549 cells caused by blast injury and to elucidate its possible mechanisms of action. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:A549 alveolar epithelial cells exposed to blast waves were treated with and without PFC. Morphological changes and apoptosis of A549 cells were recorded. PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to measure the mRNA or protein levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity levels were detected. Western blot was used to quantify the expression of NF-κB, Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3 and MAPK cell signaling proteins. RESULTS:A549 cells exposed to blast wave shrank, with less cell-cell contact. The morphological change of A549 cells exposed to blast waves were alleviated by PFC. PFC significantly inhibited the apoptosis of A549 cells exposed to blast waves. IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α cytokine and mRNA expression levels were significantly inhibited by PFC. PFC significantly increased MDA levels and decreased SOD activity levels. Further studies indicated that NF-κB, Bax, caspase-3, phospho-p38, phosphor-ERK and phosphor-JNK proteins were also suppressed by PFC. The quantity of Bcl-2 protein was increased by PFC. CONCLUSION:Our research showed that PFC reduced A549 cell damage caused by blast injury. The potential mechanism may be associated with the following signaling pathways: 1) the signaling pathways of NF-κB and MAPK, which inhibit inflammation and reactive oxygen species (ROS); and 2) the signaling pathways of Bcl-2/Bax and caspase-3, which inhibit apoptosis.