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Because of their high electrocatalytic activity, sensitivity, selectivity, and long-term stability in electrochemical sensors and biosensors, numerous nanomaterials are being used as suitable electrode materials thanks to developments in nanotechnology. Electrochemical sensors and biosensors are two areas where two-dimensional layered materials (2DLMs) are finding increasing utility due to their unusual structure and physicochemical features. Nanosensors, by their unprecedented sensitivity and minute scale, can probe deeper into the structural integrity of piles, capturing intricacies that traditional tools overlook. These advanced devices detect anomalies, voids, and minute defects in the pile structure with unparalleled granularity. Their effectiveness lies in detection and their capacity to provide real-time feedback on pile health, heralding a shift from reactive to proactive maintenance methodologies. Harvesting data from these nanosensors, data was incorporated into a probabilistic model, executing the reliability index calculations through Monte Carlo simulations. Preliminary outcomes show a commendable enhancement in the predictability of vertical bearing capacity, with the coefficient of variation dwindling by up to 12%. The introduction of nanosensors facilitates instantaneous monitoring and fortifies the long-term stability of pile foundations. This study accentuates the transformative potential of nanosensors in geotechnical engineering. • Nanosensors detect pile defects with unprecedented sensitivity. • Real-time pile health monitoring shifts to proactive maintenance. • Data from nanosensors enhance vertical bearing capacity predictability. • Monte Carlo simulations used to calculate reliability indices. • Study shows up to 12% improvement in bearing capacity accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cerambycid beetle, Pharsalia antennata Gahan, 1894 (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is a wood-boring pest that spends most of its life cycle in the trunks or under the bark of trees. These distinctive biological characteristics make it likely that this beetle will encounter a number of plant defensive compounds, coupled with a broad range of host plants, possibly resulting in the overexpression or expansion of uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glycosyltransferase (UGT) genes. Here, we identified and characterized the UGT gene family in P. antennata through transcriptome data, sequence and phylogenetic analyses, and PCR and homology modeling approaches. In total, 59 transcripts encoding UGTs were identified, 34 of which harbored full-length sequences and shared high conservation with the UGTs of Anoplophora glabripennis. Of the 34 PantUGTs, only 31.78% amino acid identity was observed on average, but catalytic and sugar binding residues were highly conserved. Phylogenetic analyses revealed four Cerambycidae-specific clades, including 30 members from P. antennata. Combining the transcriptome and PCR data showed that PantUGTs had a wide tissue expression, and the majority of the genes were presented mainly in antennae or abdomens, suggesting their putative roles in olfaction and detoxification. This study provides, for the first time, information on the molecular and genetic basis of P. antennata, greatly enhancing our knowledge of the detoxification-related UGT gene family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Previously, the opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) was confirmed to play a key role in the pathophysiology of postcardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS). Recently, we demonstrated that limb ischemic postconditioning (LIpostC) alleviated cardiac and cerebral injuries after cardiac arrest and resuscitation. In this study, we investigated whether LIpostC would alleviate the severity of PCAS through inhibiting mPTP opening. Methods. Twenty-four male domestic pigs weighing 37 ± 2 kg were randomly divided into three groups: control, LIpostC, and LIpostC+atractyloside (Atr, the mPTP opener). Atr (10 mg/kg) was intravenously injected 30 mins prior to the induction of cardiac arrest. The animals were subjected to 10 mins of untreated ventricular fibrillation and 5 mins of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Coincident with the beginning of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, LIpostC was induced by four cycles of 5 mins of limb ischemia and then 5 mins of reperfusion. The resuscitated animals were monitored for 4 hrs and observed for an additional 68 hrs. Results. After resuscitation, systemic inflammation and multiple organ injuries were observed in all resuscitated animals. However, postresuscitation systemic inflammation was significantly milder in the LIpostC group than in the control group. Myocardial, lung, and brain injuries after resuscitation were significantly improved in the LIpostC group compared to the control group. Nevertheless, pretreatment with Atr abolished all the protective effects induced by LIpostC. Conclusion. LIpostC significantly alleviated the severity of PCAS, in which the protective mechanism was associated with the inhibition of mPTP opening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine roots of plants play an important role in terrestrial ecosystems. There is a close association between the anatomical characteristics and physiological and ecological functions of plants, but we still have a very limited knowledge of anatomical traits. For example, (1) we do not know if herbs and grasses have anatomical patterns similar to those of woody plants, and (2) the variation among different woody plants in the same ecosystem is unclear. In the present study, we analysed the anatomical structures of the fine root systems of various groups of vascular plants (ferns, eudicot herbs, monocots and woody plants) from the same ecosystem (a natural secondary forest on Mao'er Mountain, Heilongjiang, China) to answer the following questions: (1) How does the anatomy of the fine roots change with root order in various plant groups in the same ecosystem? (2) What is the pattern of variation within group? The results show that anatomical traits can be divided into 3 categories: traits that indicate the root capacity to transport resource along the root (stele diameter, xylem cell diameter and xylem cell area); traits that indicate absorptive capacity cortical thickness, (the number of cortical cell layers and the diameter of cortical cells); and traits that are integrated indicators (diameter and the stele to root diameter ratio). The traits indicate the root capacity to transport resource along the root order is generally similar among groups, but absorptive capacity is very different. The shift in function is the main factor influencing the fine root anatomy. Some traits show large variation within groups, but the variations in other traits are small. The traits indicate that the lower-order roots (absorbing roots) in distinct groups are of the first one or two root order in ferns, the first two or three orders in eudicot herbs, the first (only two root orders) or first two orders (more than three root orders) in monocots and the first four or five root orders in woody plants and the other roots are higher-order roots (transport roots). The result will helpful to understand the similarities and differences among groups and the physiological and ecological functions of plant roots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrity of steel is affected by the adhesion of macrofouling organisms, which is an obstacle to their marine industry application. Corrosion of the fouled steel surface covered by oysters and ascidians was investigated, the results showed that the electrochemical processes, oxygen diffusion, ion transport paths, and secretion state differences caused differentiated corrosion forms with fouled steel. Manifested as localized corrosion at oyster/steel interface, while uniform corrosion at ascidian/steel interface from the state of the entire covering interface. A micro-reaction mechanism was finally proposed concerning the effects of Cl-, anaerobic bacteria, enclosed space, and secretions to reasonably explain this phenomenon. [Display omitted] • Oysters and ascidians are potentially environmental hazardous organisms in marine engineering safety service. • Covered oyster and ascidian caused differentiated corrosion forms with fouled steel. • Electrochemical processes, oxygen diffusion, ion transport paths, and secretion state differences were considered. • Cl- were enriched, and mackinawite were generated at macrofouling/steel interface. • Corrosion mechanism of the macrofouling/steel interface was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adhered oysters can cause complex corrosion of fouled steel structures, with localized crevice corrosion being the most severe. A crevice corrosion model of steel caused by oysters is proposed, showing that oyster secretions can penetrate into the oyster/steel interface and act as a stabilizer of the rust layer, enabling tight attachment and thereby slowing the metal corrosion rate. In contrast, oxygen concentration cells, enriched Cl-, anaerobic bacteria, the presence of organic free radicals and oxidative cross-linking during the curing process of oyster secretions act as localized corrosion accelerators facilitating the crevice corrosion process in the oyster/steel gap. [Display omitted] • Adhered oysters could cause severe localized crevice corrosion of fouled steel structures. • Oyster secretions could act as a stabilizer of the rust layer. • Synergistic effects of fouling and inorganic factors acted as localized corrosion accelerators. • The proliferation of anaerobic bacteria enhanced the corrosion in the crevice. • Oyster influenced marine corrosion model was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway regulates specific immunological responses and controls a wide range of physiological processes. NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IKBA) is an NF-κB inhibitory mediator in the cytoplasm that modulates the nuclear translocation and DNA binding activities of NF-κB proteins. However, whether the upstream cascade of the canonical NF-κB signaling pathway has physiological roles independent of IKBA-mediated transcriptional activation remains unclear. Herein we investigated the function of IKBA in mature sperm in which transcriptional and translational events do not occur. IKBA was highly expressed in human sperm. The repression of IKBA phosphorylation by its inhibitor Bay117082 markedly enhanced sperm motility. On the contrary, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated IKBA phosphorylation significantly decreased sperm motility. Nevertheless, Bay117082 treatment did not affect the motility of IKBA-knockout sperm. Further, untargeted metabolomic analysis and pharmacological blocking assays revealed that the Bay117082-induced increase in sperm motility was attributable to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) enhancement. In addition, we found that IKBA phosphorylation inhibition resulted in a significant reduction of acetyl-CoA carboxylase levels in the FAO metabolic pathway. Our findings indicate that IKBA-mediated signaling orchestrates sperm motility program and improves our understanding of transcription-independent NF-κB signaling pathway in cells. NF-κB inhibitor alpha (IKBA) signaling in mature sperm drives sperm motility and controls fatty acid b-oxidation metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root respiration is closely related to root morphology, yet it is unclear precisely how to distinguish respiration-related root physiological functions within the branching fine root system. Root respiration and tissue N concentration were examined for different N fertilization treatments, sampling dates, branch orders and temperatures of larch (Larix gmelinii L.) and ash (Fraxinus mandshurica L.) using the excised roots method. The results showed that N fertilization enhanced both root respiration and tissue N concentration for all five branch orders. The greatest increases in average root respiration for N fertilization treatment were 13.30% in larch and 18.25% in ash at 6 °C. However, N fertilization did not change the seasonal dynamics of root respiration. Both root respiration and root tissue N concentration decreased with increase in root branch order. First-order (finest) roots exhibited the highest respiration rates and tissue N concentrations out of the five root branch orders examined. There was a highly significant linear relationship between fine root N concentration and root respiration rate. Root N concentration explained >60% of the variation in respiration rate at any given combination of root order and temperature. Root respiration showed a classical exponential relationship with temperature, with the Q10 for root respiration in roots of different branching orders ranging from 1.62 to 2.20. The variation in root respiration by order illustrates that first-order roots are more metabolically active, suggesting that roots at different branch order positions have different physiological functions. The highly significant relationship between root respiration at different branch orders and root tissue N concentration suggests that root tissue N concentration may be used as a surrogate for root respiration, simplifying future research into the C dynamics of rooting systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have limited understanding of architecture and morphology of fine root systems in large woody trees. This study investigated architecture, morphology, and biomass of different fine root branch orders of two temperate tree species from Northeastern China— Larix gmelinii Rupr and Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr —by sampling up to five fine root branch orders three times during the 2003 growing season from two soil depths (i.e., 0–10 and.10–20 cm). Branching ratio ( R b) differed with the level of branching: R b values from the fifth to the second order of branching were approximately three in both species, but markedly higher for the first two orders of branching, reaching a value of 10.4 for L. gmelinii and 18.6 for F. mandshurica. Fine root diameter, length, SRL and root length density not only had systematic changes with root order, but also varied significantly with season and soil depth. Total biomass per order did not change systematically with branch order. Compared to the second, third and/or fourth order, the first order roots exhibited higher biomass throughout the growing season and soil depths, a pattern related to consistently higher R b values for the first two orders of branching than the other levels of branching. Moreover, the differences in architecture and morphology across order, season, and soil depth between the two species were consistent with the morphological disparity between gymnosperms and angiosperms reported previously. The results of this study suggest that root architecture and morphology, especially those of the first order roots, should be important for understanding the complexity and multi-functionality of tree fine roots with respect to root nutrient and water uptake, and fine root dynamics in forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Rapid disinfection of water containing E. coli is obtained by a pilot-scale ARHCR. • The ARHCR can cause serious cleavage and surface damages to E. coli. • Proposed disinfection mechanism includes hydrodynamical and sonochemical effects. Hydrodynamic cavitation is a promising technique for water disinfection. In the present paper, the disinfection characteristics of an advanced hydrodynamic cavitation reactor (ARHCR) in pilot scale were studied. The effects of various flow rates (1.4–2.6 m3/h) and rotational speeds (2600–4200 rpm) on the removal of Escherichia coli (E. coli) were revealed and analyzed. The variation regularities of the log reduction and reaction rate constant at various cavitation numbers were established. A disinfection rate of 100% was achieved in only 4 min for 15 L of simulated effluent under 4200 rpm and 1.4 m3/h, with energy efficiency at 0.0499 kWh/L. A comprehensive comparison with previously introduced HCRs demonstrates the superior performance of the presented ARHCR system. The morphological changes in E. coli were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that the ARHCR can lead to serious cleavage and surface damages to E. coli , which cannot be obtained by conventional HCRs. Finally, a possible damage mechanism of the ARHCR, including both the hydrodynamical and sonochemical effects, was proposed. The findings of the present study can provide strong support to the fundamental understanding and applications of ARHCRs for water disinfection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Determines the accuracy of estimating the live proportion of fine roots and if estimates are consistent among different species and growth forms. Tendency for the light methods to overestimate accuracy in nonwoody species and to underestimate in woody species; Minirhizotron technique.

Schematic model of corrosion causes and failure mechanisms on the inner wall of the product oil pipeline. • The inner corrosion behavior of high strength product oil pipelines was studied, and some new ideas were put forward. • The three pipeline steels have the same corrosion mechanism. • X80 pipeline steel has better adaptability under the condition of corrosion in the product oil pipeline. • It is more practical to accelerate the development of X80 pipeline steel to make it more applicable to the construction of the product oil pipelines. Pipeline transportation is one of the five major modes of transportation. Inner corrosion problems in product oil pipelines are widespread but have not received attention, and high strength product oil pipelines are rarely used in China. In this paper, morphology and composition analysis and electrochemical methods were used to study the corrosion behaviors and characteristics of API 5L X65, X70 and X80 steel product oil pipelines. The feasibility of using high strength product oil pipelines in the transportation environment of product oil under the condition of inner corrosion is discussed, and the support for the safe operation of product oil pipelines is provided. The research results show that X80 pipeline steel has advantages over X65 and X70 pipeline steel. In the simulated liquid system of sediments in product oil pipeline, as the immersion time increases, the corrosion rate of X65, X70 and X80 pipeline steels shows a trend from high to low. Morphological analysis and electrochemical analysis showed that X80 pipeline steel showed better performance and adaptability to the environment, and its aerobic corrosion reaction was slower than that of X65 and X70 pipeline steel. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results show that the three pipeline steels have the same corrosion mechanism, and all of them form Fe 2 O 3 , FeOOH, FeCO 3 , and FeS. The corrosion process is similar but the speed is different. This is attributed to the more corrosion-resistant trace elements in the X80 pipeline steel composition and the structure more compact. The application of high strength API 5L X80 steel in the product oil pipeline is still in its infancy, and it will be more practical to accelerate the development of API 5L X80 steel to make it more applicable to the construction of product oil pipelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Dioryctria abietella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is a destructive forest pest that feeds on the shoots and cones of Pinaceae plants. The reception of host volatiles and toxic compounds can be mediated via odorant binding proteins (OBPs) expressed in olfactory organs. Here, a number of DabiOBPs may be involved in reproduction, as indicated by the expression profiles. Further, DabiOBP5 and DabiOBP14 enriched in adult antennae could strongly interact with two plant volatiles and four insecticides. Of these, β-ionone derived from plant flowers possibly served as an feeding attractant of female moths, while a pear ester ethyl-(2E,4Z)-decadienoate identified as a non-host volatile may repel D. abietella. In addition, two DabiOBPs were possibly associated with insecticide resistance. Molecular simulations identified several key residues involved in ligand-binding, revealing different binding mechanisms of DabiOBP5 and/or DabiOBP14 with the best ligands. These findings provide potentially active compounds for the control of D. abietella and characterize the interaction mechanisms of two antennal DabiOBPs with plant odorants and insecticides. The management of forest pests has become a significant challenge, particularly for wood borers, because they spend most of the time in the trunks or cones. The coneworm, Dioryctria abietella, is a representative of cone borers as its larvae feed on the cones of Pinaceae plants. The molecular mechanisms underlying the interactions between this species and host plants or habitats can assist in developing strategies for pest control. In this study, we extended the expression profiles of 32 odorant binding proteins (OBPs) in the reproductive tissues of D. abietella, revealing the detectable transcription of 29 genes. Using two DabiOBPs highly expressed in antennae (DabiOBP5 and DabiOBP14) as targets, six compounds with high affinities (dissociation constants < 13 μM) were identified through a reverse chemical ecology strategy, including insecticides widely used for the control of lepidopteran pests. Of these compounds, a floral volatile β-ionone and a pear-produced ester ethyl-(2E,4Z)-decadienoate may serve as behaviorally active compounds in D. abietella. The strong binding of DabiOBPs to insecticides suggested their involvement in insecticide resistance, reflecting sophisticated detoxification mechanisms of this moth. In the molecular simulations, DabiOBP14 possessed stronger interactions with the six ligands compared to DabiOBP5, in which a few key residues within the binding pockets were involved in the formation of hydrogen bonds. This study provides some valuable reference active compounds for the development of lures or repellents in D. abietella and unravels the putative roles of two antenna-dominant DabiOBPs in the perception of plant-derived odorants and insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Hybrids of graphene oxide and ZnO quantum dots (GO@ZnO QDs) are synthesized. • Waterborne epoxy coatings loaded with silane grafted GO@ZnO QDs are prepared. • Nanocomposite coatings show advanced corrosion resistance in NaCl solution. • Nanocomposite coatings show both anti-fouling and anti-bacterial properties. • Nanocomposite coatings have high adhesion strength and water contact angle. In this research, the amino-silane functionalized ZnO quantum dots (F-ZnO QDs), graphene oxide (F-GO), and their nanohybrids (F-GO@ZnO QDs) are used as effective nanofillers to improve the anti-corrosion and anti-fouling properties of waterborne epoxy coatings. The synthesized nanomaterials before and after silane functionalization are characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Then, the nanocomposite waterborne epoxy coatings loaded with 0.1 wt% F-ZnO QDs, F-GO, and F-GO@ZnO QDs are prepared through solution mixing method. The effects of different nanofillers on the surface roughness, water contact angle, pull-off adhesion strength, fracture surface, and corrosion resistance of the nanocomposite coatings are considered. The results reveal that the uniformly dispersed F-GO@ZnO QDs in the fracture surface of the coating could provide the highest barrier and corrosion resistance on the steel substrates. Meanwhile, the nanocomposite coatings have higher water contact angle and higher adhesion strength to the substrates. The anti-bacterial and anti-fouling properties of the nanocomposite coatings have also been confirmed. The multifunctional performance of the epoxy/F-GO@ZnO QDs is assigned to the synergy effect between the GO, ZnO QDs, and amino-silane; exhibiting the importance of the nanohybrids to combine the advantages of different nanomaterials in one coating system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to explore the influencing factors on critical coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients' prognosis and to construct a nomogram model to predict the mortality risk. We retrospectively analyzed the demographic data and corresponding laboratory biomarkers of 102 critical COVID-19 patients with a residence time ≥ 24 h and divided patients into survival and death groups according to their prognosis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess risk factors for critical COVID-19 patients and a nomogram was constructed based on the screened risk factors. Logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age, high peripheral white blood cell count (WBC), low lymphocyte count (L), low platelet count (PLT), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were associated with critical COVID-19 patients mortality risk (p < 0.05) and these were integrated into the nomogram model. Nomogram analysis showed that the total factor score ranged from 179 to 270 while the corresponding mortality risk ranged from 0.05 to 0.95. Findings from this study suggest advanced age, high WBC, high hs-CRP, low L, and low PLT are risk factors for death in critical COVID-19 patients. The Nomogram model is helpful for timely intervention to reduce mortality in critical COVID-19 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the latest Gleason grading system in 2014 has distinguished between Gleason 3 + 4 and 4 + 3, Gleason 8 and Gleason 9–10 are remained systemically classified. Methods: A total of 261,125 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer (PCa) were selected between 2005 and 2015 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. We used propensity score matching to balance clinical variables and then compared overall survival (OS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) between Gleason score subgroups. We further establish a new Gleason survival grading system based on the hazard ratio (HR) values of each Gleason subgroup. Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan–Meier curves were used to compare patient survival. Results: Among PCa patients with Gleason score 8 disease, patients with Gleason 5 + 3 had significantly worse OS and CSS than those with Gleason 3 + 5 (OS: HR = 1.26, p = 0.042; CSS: HR = 1.42, p = 0.005) and 4 + 4 (HR = 1.50 for OS and HR = 1.69 for CSS, p < 0.001 for all). PCa patients with Gleason 5 + 3 and Gleason 4 + 5 may have the similar OS and CSS (reference Gleason score <=6, 5 + 3: OS HR = 2.44, CSS HR = 7.63; 4 + 5: OS HR = 2.40, CSS HR = 8.92; p < 0.001 for all). The new Gleason survival grading system reclassified the grades 4 and 5 of the 2014 updated Gleason grading system into three hierarchical grades, which makes the classification of grades more detailed and accurate. Conclusion: PCa patients with Gleason 8–10 may have three different survival subgroups, Gleason 3 + 5 and 4 + 4, Gleason 5 + 3 and 4 + 5, and Gleason 5 + 4 and 5 + 5. Our results maximize risk stratification for PCa patients, provide guidance for clinicians to assess their survival and clinical management, and make a recommendation for the next Gleason grading system update. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently, the prognosis of kidney cancer depends mainly on the pathological grade or tumor stage. Clinicians have few effective tools that can personalize and adequately evaluate the prognosis of kidney cancer patients. Methods: A total of 70 481 kidney cancer patients were selected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, among which patients diagnosed in 2005‐2011 (n = 42 890) were used to establish nomograms for overall survival (OS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS), and those diagnosed in 2012‐2015 (n = 24 591) were used for external validation. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were used to determine independent prognostic factors. Concordance index (C‐index), receiver operating characteristic curve, and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive capacity of the nomograms. We further reduced subgroup classification and used propensity score matching to balance clinical informations, and analyzed the effect of other variables on survival. We established a new kidney cancer prognostic score system based on the effect of all available variables on survival. Cox proportional hazard model and Kaplan‐Meier curves were used for survival comparison. Results: Age, gender, marital status, surgery, grade, T stage, and M stage were included as independent risk factors in the nomograms. The favorable area under the curve (AUC) value (for OS, AUC = 0.812‐0.858; and for CSS, AUC = 0.890‐0.921), internal (for OS, C‐index = 0.776; and for CSS, C‐index = 0.856), and external (for OS, C‐index = 0.814‐0.841; and for CSS, C‐index = 0.894‐0.904) validation indicated that the proposed nomograms could accurately predict 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year OS and CSS of kidney cancer patients. The Aggtrmmns prognostic scoring system based on age, gender, race, marital status, grade, TNM stage, and surgery of kidney cancer patients could stage patients more explicitly than the AJCC staging system. Conclusion: The nomogram and Aggtrmmns scoring system can predict OS and CSS in kidney cancer patients effectively, which may help clinicians personalize prognostic assessments and clinical decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative experiment was set up in a field site and laboratory to study the effect of barnacles (model organisms of macrofouling) on the corrosion behavior of a low-alloy high-strength steel. The results indicated that barnacle adhesion can slow the corrosion rate of steel in an immersion environment by hindering the diffusion of corrosive ions. It was found that barnacle adhesion had a significant promotion effect on localized corrosion. Due to steel's high corrosion rate, the corrosion-impeding effect was improved, and the promotion effect on localized corrosion was weakened. The study proposed a corrosion mechanism model influenced by barnacles. • A comparative experiment was set up in a field site and laboratory. • Barnacle adhesion can slow the corrosion rate of steel in an immersion environment. • Barnacle adhesion hinders the diffusion of corrosive ions to the steel surface. • Barnacle adhesion had a significant promotion effect on localized corrosion. • The accumulation of barnacle metabolites can promote the corrosion of steel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fermentation medium ofMicromonosporaY15 was optimized to enhance the production of antimicrobial metabolites with the antimicrobial activity tested againstListeria monocytogenes. First, the optimal medium components (carbon source, nitrogen source and inorganic salt) were determined by the single factor experiment. Second, the Plackett–Burman experiment was used to screen significant factors. Third, the steepest ascent experiment was undertaken to figure out the optimal region of the significant factors. Finally, the central composite experiment was conducted to optimize the final medium components. The single factor experiment results suggested that the optimal medium components were soluble starch, beef extract, peptone, NaCl, K2HPO4, MgSO4, and FeSO4, while the Plackett–Burman experiment demonstrated that beef extract, K2HPO4and soluble starch were significant factors affecting antimicrobial activity. The steepest ascent experiment results further showed the central point of three significant factors were 1.00 g/L of K2HPO4, 25.00 g/L of soluble starch and 18.00 g/L of beef extract, respectively. Response surface analysis revealed that the optimum values of the tested significant variables for the production of antimicrobial metabolites were 1.03 g/L of K2HPO4, 27.67 g/L of soluble starch and 18.30 g/L of beef extract, accordingly. Under this optimal condition, the antimicrobial activity of the fermented medium was 1236.79 ± 14.56 AU/mL, which increased 3.86 times compared with the initial medium. We thus concluded that the medium composition optimized in the study would be helpful for the production of antimicrobial metabolites byMicromonosporaY15. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular modification has attracted many attentions in the field of gelatin science. In this work, a transglutaminase (TG) modification method was developed and applied to modify bovine bone gelatin, porcine skin gelatin, and cold-water fish skin gelatin, and then the effect of TG crosslinking on the structural, physicochemical, functional, and emulsion stabilization properties of three types of gelatins were explored and compared. The results demonstrated that TG modification increased the nanoparticle formation behaviors and change the physicochemical and functional properties of three types of gelatins. Further, TG-modified aquatic gelatin showed comparable foaming properties (147% ± 6% for foaming capability and 55% ± 4% for foam stability) and higher emulsifying properties (18 ± 1 m2/g for emulsion activity index and 142 ± 11 min for emulsion stability index) to unmodified mammalian gelatins. In addition, TG-modified gelatins decreased the droplet sizes and increased creaming stability of fish oil-loaded emulsions compared with unmodified gelatins. All these results suggested TG modification was an efficient molecular modification method for gelatins. Moreover, TG-modified aquatic gelatin could be potential mammalian gelatin replacer. This work could provide useful information to understand the relationship among animal sources, tissue sources, extraction methods, amino acid compositions, molecular modification, molecular structure, physicochemical properties, functional properties, and emulsification stability of gelatins. • Bovine bone, porcine skin, and fish skin gelatins were modified by transglutaminase. • Modification increased the molecular aggregation behaviors of gelatins. • Modification increased the surface hydrophobicity of gelatins. • Modified fish skin gelatin can be mammal gelatin replacer as foamer and emulsifier. • Modification decreased droplet sizes and increased creaming stability of emulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root diameter, a critical indicator of root physiological function, varies greatly among tree species, but the underlying mechanism of this high variability is unclear. Here, we sampled 50 tree species across tropical and temperate zones in China, and measured root morphological and anatomical traits along the first five branch orders in each species. Our objectives were (i) to reveal the relationships between root diameter, cortical thickness and stele diameter among tree species in tropical and temperate forests, and (ii) to investigate the relationship of both root morphological and anatomical traits with divergence time during species radiation. The results showed that root diameter was strongly affected by cortical thickness but less by stele diameter in both tropical and temperate species. Changes in cortical thickness explained over 90% of variation in root diameter for the first order, and ∼74–87% for the second and third orders. Thicker roots displayed greater cortical thickness and more cortical cell layers than thinner roots. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that root diameter, cortical thickness and number of cortical cell layers significantly correlated with divergence time at the family level, showing similar variation trends in geological time. The results also suggested that trees tend to decrease their root cortical thickness rather than stele diameter during species radiation. The close linkage of variations in root morphology and anatomy to phylogeny as demonstrated by the data from the 50 tree species should provide some insights into the mechanism of root diameter variability among tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree roots are highly heterogeneous in form and function. Previous studies revealed that fine root respiration was related to root morphology, tissue nitrogen (N) concentration and temperature, and varied with both soil depth and season. The underlying mechanisms governing the relationship between root respiration and root morphology, chemistry and anatomy along the root branch order have not been addressed. Here, we examined these relationships of the first- to fifth-order roots for near surface roots (0–10 cm) of 22-year-old larch (Larix gmelinii L.) and ash (Fraxinus mandshurica L.) plantations. Root respiration rate at 18 °C was measured by gas phase O2 electrodes across the first five branching order roots (the distal roots numbered as first order) at three times of the year. Root parameters of root diameter, specific root length (SRL), tissue N concentration, total non-structural carbohydrates (starch and soluble sugar) concentration (TNC), cortical thickness and stele diameter were also measured concurrently. With increasing root order, root diameter, TNC and the ratio of root TNC to tissue N concentration increased, while the SRL, tissue N concentration and cortical proportion decreased. Root respiration rate also monotonically decreased with increasing root order in both species. Cortical tissue (including exodermis, cortical parenchyma and endodermis) was present in the first three order roots, and cross sections of the cortex for the first-order root accounted for 68% (larch) and 86% (ash) of the total cross section of the root. Root respiration was closely related to root traits such as diameter, SRL, tissue N concentration, root TNC : tissue N ratio and stele-to-root diameter proportion among the first five orders, which explained up to 81–94% of variation in the rate of root respiration for larch and up to 83–93% for ash. These results suggest that the systematic variations of root respiration rate within tree fine root system are possibly due to the changes of tissue N concentration and anatomical structure along root branch orders in both tree species, which provide deeper understanding in the mechanism of how root traits affect root respiration in woody plants. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Determining which kinds of roots are likely to be consumed by root herbivores may improve our understanding of the mechanistic control on fine root dynamics. Here, we tested the hypothesis that root herbivores prefer to consume the distal lower order roots in their branching networks. Insecticide was applied to soil to quantify effects of root herbivores on root biomass and production in the first five orders (the distal roots numbered as first-order) in Fraxinus mandshurica and Larix gmelinii plantations from May 2008 to July 2009. Root morphology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology were measured simultaneously across branching orders. Among the first five order roots, significant consumptions by herbivores were found only for the two distal lower order roots throughout growing seasons, with 62% of biomass and 57% of production for F. mandshurica, and 71% and 79% for L. gmelinii, respectively. Our results suggest that the distal lower order roots are more palatable and attractive to root herbivores in both plantations, probably because they have higher tissue N, greater respiration rates and lower cellulose. Thus, overlooking herbivore consumption may lead to large underestimation in root biomass and production, which are critical in determining C budget and nutrient cycles in forest ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]