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A series of novel Ba1-xAl2Si3O4N4: xYb2+ yellow-emissive long-afterglow phosphors was successfully synthesized via a high-temperature solid-state reaction with two sintering steps. The phosphors exhibited broad band emission (full width at half maximum, FWHM = 107 nm) with a peak at 518 nm. With an increase in the Yb2+ doping content in Ba1-xAl2Si3O4N4: xYb2+ phosphors, the luminescence intensity reached a maximum at x = 0.15. The long-afterglow phosphor can be activated effectively by 254 nm UV light, and the afterglow can persist for more than 7 h. From the thermoluminescence (TL) spectrum, there are three types of electron traps, with average evaluation depths of 0.485, 0.592, and 0.681 eV. The afterglow is caused by the capture and re-release of free electrons by the three trap energy levels. Finally, the thermal and chemical stability of the phosphor was tested, its luminescence intensity was 78.7% at 150 °C and 99.5% after 5 h soak in water compared to that at room temperature and original, respectively.

As is well known, a way to obtain a high color resolution and saturation of a liquid crystal display and thereby obtain a higher visual accuracy and comfort in the coming 5G era remains an urgent challenge. In the present study, a new type of phosphor composite material doped with Ln3+ ions provides a promising alternative to the color filters used in White light-emitting diodes (WLEDs), achieving a better performance regarding the realization of a wider color gamut. The advantages of this composite material are illustrated through an abundant phase and morphology analysis along with a discussion regarding the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of the valence bond of Ce ions, which maintain the luminescence properties of the phosphor while providing a stable and solid amorphous environment. An improved spectral performance was obtained through color filtering at 580 nm along with the regulating effects of red, green, and blue emissions according to the doped Ln3+ ions. Notably, we fabricated a high-performance WLED based on a Ln3+-doped PiG with a correlated color temperature of 5037 K, color rendering index of 72.8, and high color gamut of 91.97%, providing a new choice for the development of luminescence materials with a high color resolution and saturation.

Dianthus spiculifolius is a perennial herbaceous flower with strong environmental adaptability and is an important ornamental ground cover plant. In this study, seeds of D. spiculifolius were used as explants for callus induction, adventitious bud differentiation, and rooting by adding different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 6-benzyl aminopurine (6-BA), and naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to Murashige and Skoog medium. The calli generated were co-cultured with Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105 containing pBI121-GUS or pBI121-GFP plasmids for 30 min, and transgenic regenerated plants were obtained by kanamycin (30 mg · L−1) screening. RT-PCR confirmed the stable expression of the exogenous GUS and GFP genes in the D. spiculifolius. The β-glucuronidase (GUS) histochemical staining confirmed GUS gene expression in transgenic calli, adventitious buds, and regenerated plants of D. spiculifolius. The green fluorescent protein (GFP) visual analysis showed GFP gene expression in transgenic calli. Furthermore, subcellular localization analysis showed that the three organelle marker proteins were not only successfully expressed but also accurately localized to their corresponding organelles in D. spiculifolius callus cells. These results indicated a successful establishment of a reliable and efficient A. tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation system, which will contribute to functional gene research and genetic improvement of D. spiculifolius.

Background Accumulating data have established that microRNAs (miRNAs) play significant regulatory roles in the carcinogenesis and progression of ovarian cancer (OC). MiR-425-5p was reported to function in various tumors. However, the roles and underlying mechanism of miR-425-5p involvement in OC development and progression are unclear. Methods A comprehensive strategy of data mining, computational biology, and real-time polymerase chain reaction was employed to identify the involvement of miR-425-5p in OC progression. The effect of miR-425-5p on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells was determined using Cell Counting Kit-8, wound-healing, and Matrigel invasion assays, respectively. Luciferase assay was performed to evaluate the interactions between miR-425-5p and MAGI2-AS3 or AFF4. Results miR-425-5p was significantly up-regulated in OC tissues and cells. The luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-425-5p was negatively regulated by MAGI2-AS3. Silencing miR-425-5p inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells in vitro. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay revealed that AFF4 was the target gene of miR-425-5p. Moreover, AFF4 expression was significantly decreased in OC and was closely related to the good prognosis of patients with OC. AFF4 overexpression inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells in vitro. By contrast, silencing AFF4 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells in vitro. Finally, AFF4 suppression rescued the inhibitory effect of silencing miR-425-5p on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells. Conclusion To the best our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that miR-425-5p overexpression in OC is negatively regulated by MAGI2-AS3. Moreover, miR-425-5p promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OC cells by targeting AFF4, suggesting that miR-425-5p/AFF4 signaling pathway represented a novel therapeutic target for patients with OC.

Jaeger, Linial, Payan and Tarsi (JCTB, 1992) introduced the concept of group connectivity as a generalization of nowhere-zero flow for graphs. In this paper, we introduce group connectivity for signed graphs and establish some fundamental properties. For a finite abelian group A , it is proved that an A -connected signed graph is a contractible configuration for A -flow problem of signed graphs. In addition, we give sufficient edge connectivity conditions for signed graphs to be A -connected and study the group connectivity of some families of signed graphs.

Willow (Salix), a dioecious plant, is an important ornamental tree species in the world. Salix linearistipularis, a perennial woody plant species naturally distributed on the Songnen Plain saline-alkali land in northeast China, has a high saline condition. To study the sexual differences of S. linearistipularis in salinity tolerance, the physiological and transcriptional responses to salinity were compared between female and male cuttings. Under salinity stress, the female leaves exhibited higher superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities and photosynthetic capacity, and lower H2O2 contents than those of male leaves. Under salinity stress, sodium (Na+) accumulation in female leaves was lower than that in the male leaves. The non-invasive micro-test showed that the net Na+ efflux in the salt-treated female roots was higher than that in male roots. Physiological responses revealed that female cuttings were more tolerant than males, which may be mainly due to females having lower leaf Na+ accumulation and higher root Na+ efflux capacity than males. Transcriptional analyses showed that 108 differentially expressed salt-responsive genes were identified in both female and male roots; most of these showed sexual differences in expression patterns under salinity stress. RNA-seq combined with qPCR analysis showed that the salt-induced expression of four Na+/H+ antiporter (NHX) genes (SlNHX3, 5, 6, 7) in female roots was higher than that in male roots. Transcriptional analyses revealed that the higher Na+ efflux capacity in female roots than in male roots may be closely related to the differential expression of salt-responsive genes, especially NHX genes.

Nitrogen (N) is an essential macronutrient for plant growth. Plants absorb and utilize N mainly in the form of nitrate (NO3&minus, ) or ammonium (NH4+). In this study, the nitrate transporter DsNRT3.1 (also known as the nitrate assimilation-related protein DsNAR2.1) was characterized from Dianthus spiculifolius. A quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis showed that the DsNRT3.1 expression was induced by NO3&minus, Under N-starvation conditions, the transformed Arabidopsis seedlings expressing DsNRT3.1 had longer roots and a greater fresh weight than the wild type. Subcellular localization showed that DsNRT3.1 was mainly localized to the plasma membrane in Arabidopsis root hair cells. Non-invasive micro-test (NMT) monitoring showed that the root hairs of N-starved transformed Arabidopsis seedlings had a stronger NO3&minus, and NH4+ influx than the wild-type seedlings, using with NO3&minus, or NH4+ as the sole N source, contrastingly, transformed seedlings only had a stronger NO3&minus, influx when NO3&minus, and NH4+ were present simultaneously. In addition, the qPCR analysis showed that the expression of AtNRT2 genes (AtNRT2.1&ndash, 2.6), and particularly of AtNRT2.5, in the transformed Arabidopsis differed from that in the wild type. Overall, our results suggest that the heterologous expression of DsNRT3.1 affects seedlings&rsquo, growth by enhancing the NO3&minus, and NH4+ uptake in N-starved Arabidopsis. This may be related to the differential expression of AtNRT2 genes.

We report a detailed spectroscopic investigation of a series of fluorotellurite glasses with different Er3+ ions concentration in system 50TeO2-27BaF2-9ZnF2-8YF3-3MgF2-3NaF-xErF3-1HoF3(x = 1,2,3 mol%). Intense 2 μm emission and 2.75 μm emission with high absorption and emission cross-section were observed under 980 nm LD pumping, and the maximum gain coefficient around 2750 nm was as high as 2.41 cm−1, suggesting the prepared glasses are a competitive candidate for mid-infrared laser materials. Besides, it was found that the trend of 2 μm and 2.75 μm emission intensity varied with Er3+ ions concentration was different. Energy transfer process was discussed subsequently to explain this phenomenon. Furthermore, we quantitatively investigate the energy transfer efficiency from Er3+: 4I13/2 level to Ho3+: 5I7 level.

A series of β-Sr1.98-yMgySiO4-1.5xNx: 0.02Eu2+ (x = 0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.2 and 4/3, 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.5, β-S(M)SON: Eu2+) phosphors were synthesized by a conventional solid state reaction method. The coordination environments of Eu2+ are modified effectively via the introduction of N3- and Mg2+ using different concentration, which is confirmed by XRD refinement results and PL spectra. Both fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis qualitatively confirm that the existence of N3-. The crystal structures of β-Sr2SiO4-1.5xNx (β-SSON): Eu2+ and β-Sr2-yMgySi(O,N)4: Eu2+ (β-SMSON, x = 4/3, y = 0.1) have been determined effectively. Rietveld refinement indicates that N3- dopants most likely partly substitute O22− site. With the increase of N content, the unit cell volume and partial Si O and Sr N bond lengths gradually decrease, which are coincided each other. With the introduction of N3-, the emission of Eu(I) (∼465 nm) hardly change but that of Eu(II) (∼540 nm) splits into two emission bands as Eu(II) (∼540 nm) and Eu(II)′ (∼616 nm). According to the analysis of XRD data, unit cell volume, FT-IR spectra, photoluminescence (PL) and reflectance spectra of β-SMSON: Eu2+, it can be concluded that the incorporation of Mg2+ into the host leads to interstitial sites rather than substitutional ones. Mg2+ doping couldn't change the dominant peak wavelengths (DPWs) of Eu(I), Eu(II) and Eu(II)′ sites but only affects the PL intensity of title phosphors and could offset the nitridation effects. The concentration quenching mechanism and thermal activation energy of β-SSON: Eu2+ phosphors are determined effectively. The β-S(M)SON: 0.02Eu2+ phosphor have the feature that it can achieve color-tunable white light-emitting combined with blue light emitting diodes (LEDs) with single activator doped and single-phase host, which enables these materials to be enormous possibilities used in white light emitting diodes.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of fibulin-2 and β-catenin in gastric cancer tissues and the association to mutual regulation. Forty-nine cases of gastric cancer specimens obtained via surgical resection in the Pathology Department of Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College from March 2013 to August 2017 were collected. The expression levels of fibulin-2 and β-catenin in 49 cases of gastric cancer and para-carcinoma tissues were detected via quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. The correlation of expression of fibulin-2 and β-catenin proteins in gastric cancer was detected via Spearman's analysis. The correlation of fibulin-2 and β-catenin protein expression with clinicopathological indexes of patients was also analyzed. Moreover, the fibulin-2 overexpression plasmid was constructed and transfected into human gastric cancer AGS and SGC-790 cell lines, so as to observe changes in β-catenin and its downstream indexes. Fibulin-2 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) level in gastric cancer tissues was significantly lower than that in para-carcinoma tissues, while β-catenin mRNA level was significantly increased (P

A series of novel blue-emitting Ba1-xAl2Si3O4N4: xEu2+ phosphors were successfully prepared by two-steps high temperature solid state reaction. The results of XRD and SEM showed that the two-steps method obtain less impurities than the traditional one-step method. The electronic band structure of BaAl2Si3O4N4 (BASON) host was calculated as a direct band gap of 3.662eV by the DFT method. The PLE spectrum of B1-xASON: xEu2+ showed a wide band excitation in the wavelength range of 250–450 nm, which can be well matched with n-UV chips. Based on crystal structural and fluorescence lifetime analysis, three emission peaks were obtained by gaussian fitting to explain the asymmetry of Eu2+ emission in the BASON phosphor. The optimal doping concentration of Eu2+ was x = 0.04. According to calculated critical distance (3.24 A) and a little overlap between PLE and PL spectra, the concentration quenching mechanism was confirmed as both of dipole-dipole interaction and radiation reabsorption. In addition, with the incorporation of Eu2+, the diffuse reflection spectrum of B1-xASON: xEu2+ presented a wide absorption peak in the range of 200–500 nm. The PL intensity of Ba0.96-ySryAl2Si3O4N4: 0.04Eu2+ tended to rise first and then fall with the increase of Sr2+ concentration. Impressively, the relative emission intensity at 473K still maintained 95.7% compared with room temperature (293K), which indicated the excellent thermal stability of BASON phosphor. Finally, the density of state (DOS) of Ba1-ySryAl2Si3O4N4 (y = 0, 0.5, 1) were calculated and analyzed to explain the deterioration of thermal stability with the increase of Sr2+ substitution.

The energy of a graph is defined as the sum of the absolute values of all eigenvalues of the graph. Let T n , p , T n , d be the set of all trees of order n with p pendent vertices, diameter d, respectively. In this paper, we completely characterize the trees with second-minimal and third-minimal energy in T n , p ( T n , d , respectively) for 4 ? p ? n - 9 ( 10 ? d ? n - 3 , respectively), which solves the problems left in Ma (2014).

A series of novel green Y4−xSiAlO8N:xTb3+ phosphors have been prepared by a high temperature solid state reaction. The phase formation and structural properties were analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction. The XRD results and SEM images show that the Y3+ can be substituted by Tb3+ for the max content of x = 1.5 and the most suitable sintering temperature is about 1500 °C. The PLE spectra of Y4−xSiAlO8N:xTb3+ phosphors exhibit a wide excitation band ranging from 200 to 500 nm, which matches well with the characteristic emission of n-UV chips. Under excitation of 380 nm, the phosphor shows four intense emission bands with emission peaks at 488 nm, 543 nm, 585 nm and 624 nm, respectively. These emissions were attributed to the characteristic 5D4 → 7FJ (J = 6, 5, 4, 3) transitions of Tb3+ ions. The optimum doping concentration of Tb3+ was found to be x = 2.0 which indicated that the concentration quenching effect in the Y4−xSiAlO8N:xTb3+ phosphor is very weak. The critical distance for the Tb3+ ions calculated by the concentration quenching is 3.64 A. The detailed nonradiative energy transfer mechanism between Tb3+ ions is confirmed to be via a dipole–dipole interaction by the fluorescence decay analysis. Furthermore, with the introduction of Tb3+ ions, the reflectance spectra shows an obvious increment of reflectance in the region of 200–250 nm, which is due to the variation of electronic structure in the conductance band derived from Y3+ ions. Finally, the excellent thermal stability of the phosphors was demonstrated by the temperature dependence of the PL spectra. Compared to the initial intensity at room temperature (293.0 K), the relative PL intensity maintains high value of 96.5% at 475.2 K. The detailed thermal quenching behavior has also been interpreted.

Vacuolar-type H+-ATPase (V-ATPase), a multisubunit proton pump located on the endomembrane, plays an important role in plant growth. The Arabidopsis thaliana V-ATPase d subunit (VHA-d) consists of two isoforms, AtVHA-d1 and AtVHA-d2. In this study, the function of AtVHA-d2 was investigated. Histochemical analysis revealed that the expression of AtVHA-d1 and AtVHA-d2 was generally highly overlapping in multiple tissues at different developmental stages of Arabidopsis. Subcellular localization revealed that AtVHA-d2 was mainly localized to the vacuole. AtVHA-d2 expression was significantly induced by oxidative stress. Analysis of phenotypic and H2O2 content showed that the atvha-d2 mutant was sensitive to oxidative stress. The noninvasive microtest monitoring demonstrated that the net H+ influx in the atvha-d2 roots was weaker than that in the wild-type under normal conditions. However, oxidative stress resulted in the H+ efflux in atvha-d2 roots, which was significantly different from that in the wild-type. RNA-seq combined with qPCR analysis showed that the expression of several members of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase gene (AtAHA) family in atvha-d2 was significantly different from that in the wild-type. Overall, our results indicate that AtVHA-d2 plays a role in Arabidopsis in response to oxidative stress by affecting H+ flux and AtAHA gene expression.

The energy of a graph $G$, denoted by $E(G)$, is defined as the sum of the absolute values of all eigenvalues of $G$. Let $n$ be an even number and $\mathbb{U}_{n}$ be the set of all conjugated unicyclic graphs of order $n$ with maximum degree at most $3$. Let $S_n^{\frac{n}{2}}$ be the radialene graph obtained by attaching a pendant edge to each vertex of the cycle $C_{\frac{n}{2}}$. In [Y. Cao et al., On the minimal energy of unicyclic H\"{u}ckel molecular graphs possessing Kekul\'{e} structures, Discrete Appl. Math. 157 (5) (2009), 913--919], Cao et al. showed that if $n\geq 8$, $S_n^{\frac{n}{2}}\ncong G\in \mathbb{U}_{n}$ and the girth of $G$ is not divisible by $4$, then $E(G)>E(S_n^{\frac{n}{2}})$. Let $A_n$ be the unicyclic graph obtained by attaching a $4$-cycle to one of the two leaf vertices of the path $P_{\frac{n}{2}-1}$ and a pendent edge to each other vertices of $P_{\frac{n}{2}-1}$. In this paper, we prove that $A_n$ is the unique unicyclic graph in $\mathbb{U}_{n}$ with minimal energy., Comment: 20 pages

A series of disordered α′-Sr2Si3x/4O2Nx:Eu2+ (1.333 ≤ x ≤ 2.4) phosphors were synthesized by the conventional solid state reaction method. The disordered α′-Sr2Si3x/4O2Nx:Eu2+ (α′-SSON:Eu2+) phosphors have two distinct activation centers: Eu(I) and Eu(II). With the increase of N concentration, both the luminescence intensity and the dominant peak wavelength (DPWs, which is about 490 nm) of the Eu(I) site were extraordinarily unchanged. In comparison with the yellow emissions (∼580 nm) of the Eu(II) site of the disordered α′-Sr2SiO4:Eu2+, the DPWs of Eu(II) emissions were at red spectral regions (609–618 nm), which depends on the amount of N3−. The PL intensity of the Eu(II) emission band increased first and then decreased, and reached a maximum at x = 2. The disordered α′-SSON is a substitutional solid solution. Compared with the disordered α′-Sr2SiO4, all the lattice constants of disordered α′-SSON became smaller which led to the decrease of the cell volume. The peaks of the Si–N and Sr–N bond could be observed in FT-IR spectra. The Si–(N/O)4 tetrahedrons transformed from Si–O4, Si–NO3, and Si–N2O2 into Si–N3O with the increase of N content. The bond lengths of Si–N and Sr–(N/O) were within the normal ranges compared with other silicon-based oxynitrides. The Si–O bond lengths became shorter due to the extrusion effects of longer Si–N bonds. Both of the average bond lengths of Sr1–(N/O) and Sr2–(N/O) in disordered α′-SSON became longer than that of disordered α′-Sr2SiO4. Due to the red emission and high photoluminescence intensity of the disordered α′-Sr2Si3x/4O2Nx:Eu2+ (1.333 ≤ x ≤ 2.4), we anticipate that these materials can be used as red phosphors in white light emitting diodes.

Ca(Mg 0.92 Al 0.08 )(Si 0.96 Al 0.04 ) 2 O 6 ceramics with different amounts of TiO 2 /CaTiO 3 additions were prepared by the solid-state reaction method. The sintering behavior, microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of TiO 2 /CaTiO 3 -added ceramics were investigated. The control of the temperature coefficient of resonant frequency ( τ f ) could be achieved by varying the content of TiO 2 or CaTiO 3 . Particularly, TiO 2 reacted with the main ceramic phase of Ca(Mg,Al)(Si,Al) 2 O 6 and produced secondary phases of MgTi 2 O 5 and CaTiSiO 4 O, which lowered the Q × f values of the ceramics. TiO 2 -added ceramics sintered at 1225 °C with 22 wt% TiO 2 additions showed dielectric properties of e r =12.06, Q × f =5940 GHz and τ f =2.24 ppm/ o C. Comparing with the TiO 2 -added ceramics, CaTiO 3 just existed as a separate component, and the Ca(Mg 0.92 Al 0.08 )(Si 0.96 Al 0.04 ) 2 O 6 ceramic sintered at 1250 °C with 10 wt% CaTiO 3 additions showed a good combination of dielectric properties: e r =9.6, Q × f =32,590 GHz and τ f =−1.53 ppm/ o C.

Dianthus spiculifolius, a perennial herbaceous flower and a member of the Caryophyllaceae family, has strong resistance to cold and drought stresses. To explore the transcriptional responses of D. spiculifolius to individual and combined stresses, we performed transcriptome sequencing of seedlings under normal conditions or subjected to cold treatment (CT), simulated drought treatment (DT), or their combination (CTDT). After de novo assembly of the obtained reads, 112,015 unigenes were generated. Analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed that 2026, 940, and 2346 genes were up-regulated and 1468, 707, and 1759 were down-regulated in CT, DT, and CTDT samples, respectively. Among all the DEGs, 182 up-regulated and 116 down-regulated genes were identified in all the treatment groups. Analysis of metabolic pathways and regulatory networks associated with the DEGs revealed overlaps and cross-talk between cold and drought stress response pathways. The expression profiles of the selected DEGs in CT, DT, and CTDT samples were characterized and confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR. These DEGs and metabolic pathways may play important roles in the response of D. spiculifolius to the combined stress. Functional characterization of these genes and pathways will provide new targets for enhancement of plant stress tolerance through genetic manipulation.

The diopside ceramics with a formula of Ca(Mg1−xAlx)(Si1−x/2Alx/2)2O6 (x=0.01–0.3) were synthesized via a traditional solid-state reaction method, and their solid solubility, sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties were investigated. The results revealed that the solubility limit of Al2O3 in Ca(Mg1−xAlx)(Si1−x/2Alx/2)2O6, which is defined as x, was between 0.15 and 0.2, and a second phase of CaAl2SiO6 presented when the x value reached 0.2. Appropriate Al3+ substitution for Mg2+ and Si4+ could promote the sintering process and lower the densification temperature, and a broadened densification temperature range of 1250–1300 °C was obtained for the compositions of x=0.08–0.15. With the increase of the x value, the dielectric constant (er) increased roughly linearly, and the temperature coefficient of frequency (τf) showed a rising trend. The Q×f values increased from 57,322 GHz to 59,772 GHz as the x value increased from 0.01 to 0.08, and then they were saturated in the range of x=0.08–0.2. Further increase of the x value (x≥0.25) deteriorated the microwave dielectric properties. Good microwave dielectric properties of er=7.89, Q×f=59,772 GHz and τf=−42.12 ppm/°C were obtained for the ceramics with the composition of x=0.08 sintered at 1275 °C.

Ba 3 Si 6 O 9 N 4 phosphors co-doped with Ce 3+ and Eu 2+ were synthesized via the solid-state reaction method. The samples could display varied color emission from blue and ultimately to green under the excitation of ultraviolet (UV) light or blue light with the appropriate adjustment of the relative proportion of Ce 3+ /Eu 2+ . The luminescence intensity of Ba 3 Si 6 O 9 N 4 :Eu 2+ can be efficiently enhanced by codoping with Ce 3+ . The energy transfer mechanism from Ce 3+ to Eu 2+ in Ba 3 Si 6 O 9 N 4 :Ce 3+ , Eu 2+ is electric dipole–dipole interaction, and the critical distance is calculated to be about 24.86 A by the spectra overlap method.

A series of Ce3+/Mn2+ doped transparent glass-ceramics containing β-Zn2SiO4 nano-crystals were prepared by heat-treatment on the as-made glasses and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were investigated. Emission spectra of the glass-ceramics show a blue broad band peaking at 430 nm and a yellow band peaking at about 575 nm, originate from the allowed 5d → 4f transition of Ce3+ ion and the 4T1g(4G) → 6A1g(6S) transition of Mn2+ ion, respectively. Energy transfer from Ce3+ to Mn2+ via a dipole–quadrupole mechanism was confirmed by the luminescence spectra, decay time data, and the calculation of energy transfer efficiency of the glass-ceramics. The critical distance (RC) of energy transfer was calculated to be 8.32 Ǻ. The varied emission color of Ce3+/Mn2+ doped transparent glass-ceramics from blue to white and eventually to yellow can be achieved by tuning the relative ratio of the Ce3+ to Mn2+ ions based on the principle of energy transfer. Based on the results in this study, Ce3+/Mn2+ doped transparent glass-ceramics can be used as a potential matrix material for White LED under UV–LED excitation.

The effects of CaSiO 3 addition on the sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of Al 2 O 3 ceramics have been investigated. The addition of CaSiO 3 into Al 2 O 3 ceramics resulted in the emergence of Ca 2 Al 2 SiO 7 and CaAl 2 Si 2 O 8 , which acting as liquid sintering aids can effectively lower the sintering temperature of Al 2 O 3 ceramic. The Q × f value of Al 2 O 3 –CaSiO 3 ceramics decreased with the CaSiO 3 addition increasing because of the lower Q × f value of Ca 2 Al 2 SiO 7 and CaAl 2 Si 2 O 8 . Compared with the pure CaSiO 3 ceramic, the Al 2 O 3 –CaSiO 3 ceramic with 20 wt% CaSiO 3 addition possessed good dielectric properties of ɛ r = 9.36 and Q × f = 13,678 GHz at the similar sintering temperature.

Plant SWEETs (sugars will eventually be exported transporters) play a role in plant growth and plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses. In the present study, DsSWEET12 from Dianthus spiculifolius was identified and characterized. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed that DsSWEET12 expression was induced by sucrose starvation, mannitol, and hydrogen peroxide. Colocalization experiment showed that the DsSWEET12-GFP fusion protein was localized to the plasma membrane, which was labeled with FM4-64 dye, in Arabidopsis and suspension cells of D. spiculifolius. Compared to wild type plants, transgenic Arabidopsis seedlings overexpressing DsSWEET12 have longer roots and have a greater fresh weight, which depends on sucrose content. Furthermore, a relative root length analysis showed that transgenic Arabidopsis showed higher tolerance to osmotic and oxidative stresses. Finally, a sugar content analysis showed that the sucrose content in transgenic Arabidopsis was less than that in the wild type, while fructose and glucose contents were higher than those in the wild type. Taken together, our results suggest that DsSWEET12 plays an important role in seedling growth and plant response to osmotic and oxidative stress in Arabidopsis by influencing sugar metabolism.

The energy E ( G ) of a graph G is defined as the sum of the absolute values of its eigenvalues. A connected graph G of order n is said to be hypoenergetic if E ( G ) n . All connected hypoenergetic graphs with maximum degree Δ ⩽ 3 have been characterized. In addition to the four (earlier known) hypoenergetic trees, we now show that complete bipartite graph K 2 , 3 is the only hypoenergetic cycle-containing hypoenergetic graph. By this, the validity of a conjecture by Majstorovic et al. has been confirmed.

In the present work using V2O5 and MoO3 powders as precursors, a novel method, the inorganic sol-gel method, was developed to synthesize Mo6+ doped vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films. The structure, valence state, phase transition temperature, magnitude of resistivity change and change in optical transmittance below and above the phase transition of these films are determined by XRD, XPS, four-point probe equipment and spectrophotometer. The results showed that the main chemical composition of the films was VO2, the structure of MoO3 in the films didn't change, and the phase transition temperature of the VO2 was obviously lowered with increasing MoO3 doped concentration. The magnitude of resistivity change and change in optical transmittance below and above phase transition were also decreased, of which the magnitude of resistivity change was more distinct. However, when the MoO3 concentration was 5 wt%, the magnitude of resistivity change of doped thin films still reached more than 2 orders, and the change in optical transmittance below and above phase transition was maintained. Analysis showed that the VO2 doped films formed local energy level, and then reduced the forbidden band gap of VO2 as the donor defect changing its optical and electrical properties and lowering the phase transition temperature.

We study strong list edge coloring of subcubic graphs, and we prove that every subcubic graph with maximum average degree less than 15/7, 27/11, 13/5, and 36/13 can be strongly list edge colored with six, seven, eight, and nine colors, respectively.