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The outbreak of COVID-19 has significantly inhibited global economic growth and impacted the environment. Some evidence suggests that lockdown strategies have significantly reduced traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) in regions across the world. However, the impact of COVID-19 on TRAP on roadside is still not clearly understood. In this study, we assessed the influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on the levels of traffic-related air pollutants in Shanghai. The pollution data from two types of monitoring stations—roadside stations and non-roadside stations were compared and evaluated. The results show that NO 2 , PM 2.5 , PM 10 , and SO 2 had reduced by ~30–40% at each station during the COVID-19 pandemic in contrast to 2018–2019. CO showed a moderate decline of 28.8% at roadside stations and 16.4% at non-roadside stations. In contrast, O 3 concentrations increased by 30.2% at roadside stations and 5.7% at non-roadside stations. This result could be resulted from the declined NOx emissions from vehicles, which lowered O 3 titration. Full lockdown measures resulted in the highest reduction of primary pollutants by 34–48% in roadside stations and 18–50% in non-roadside stations. The increase in O 3 levels was also the most significant during full lockdown by 64% in roadside stations and 33% in non-roadside stations due to the largest decrease in NO 2 precursors, which promote O 3 formation. Additionally, Spearman's rank correlation coefficients between NO 2 and other pollutants significantly decreased, while the values between NO 2 and O 3 increased at roadside stations. [Display omitted] • NO 2 , PM 2.5 , PM 10 and SO 2 reduced by ~30–40% in shanghai during the COVID-19 pandemic in contrast to 2018–2019. • CO showed a decline of 28.8% on roadside stations and 16.4% at non-roadside stations. • Decline of NOx from vehicles leads to an increase of O 3 on roadside (30.2%) and non-roadside (5.7%). • Full lockdown measures resulted in the highest reduction of primary pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The biomass-derived HMMC has been synthesized through pyrolysis of rubber wood. • LIC based on a biomass-derived carbon and a high-rate LTO has been fabricated. • The as-fabricated LIC shows a high energy/power density of 142 Wh/kg at 253 W/kg. • Enhanced rate capability improved intrinsic kinetic imbalance between HMMC and LTO. In this study we prepared a biomass-derived porous carbon and a high-rate Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 (LTO) as cathode and anode materials, respectively, for Li-ion capacitors (LICs). We synthesized the bio-derived carbon through pyrolysis of rubberwood as the carbon source. The as-synthesized carbon featured a hierarchical micro/mesoporous architecture with a surface area of 1365 m2 g−1 and excellent electrochemical properties. A symmetric supercapacitor (SC) based on the bio-derived carbon material exhibited excellent capacitance characteristics and remarkable cycling stability. Furthermore, the rate performance of the spray-dried LTO modified through ionic doping and surface coating was much better than that of the unmodified LTO, due to enhanced conductivity and ionic diffusivity. Because of the outstanding rate capability of the modified LTO, the kinetic mismatch between the cathode and anode—a general problem for LICs—was overcome. After coupling the bio-derived porous carbon with the high-rate LTO, the as-fabricated LIC displayed a high energy/power density of 142 Wh kg−1/253 W kg−1, and even provided a value of 52.9 Wh kg−1 at 4556 W kg−1. In addition, this LIC retained 85.7% of its original capacity after 10,000 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Carbon-coated V 2 O 5 nanoparticles are prepared using MOF as template and precursor. • The carbon coating layer can enhance the electronic conductivity and dimensional stability of V 2 O 5. • Compared with the bare V 2 O 5 , carbon-coated V 2 O 5 exhibits excellent electrochromic performance. In this study we synthesized a vanadium (V)-containing metal–organic framework (MOF) and used it as a template to prepare V 2 O 5 NPs. We used MIL-47, a V-containing MOF having uniform C and V distributions, as a precursor for the preparation of carbon-coated V 2 O 5 (C@V 2 O 5) samples through annealing. The C@V 2 O 5 structures were readily dispersed in poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) to form stable solutions, allowing the deposition of C@V 2 O 5 on various substrates through simple low-temperature solution-based processes. The uniform coating of carbon on V 2 O 5 was useful for two reasons: (i) the outer layer enhanced the electronic conductivity of a V 2 O 5 electrode and its corresponding electrochemical properties and (ii) based on the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) analysis, the carbon coating served as a buffer layer that allowed Li+ ion transport, but blocked migration of solvent into the V 2 O 5 electrode, thereby improving the dimensional and electrochemical stability. Compared with the bare V 2 O 5 , C@V 2 O 5 exhibited excellent electrochromic (EC) performance, with an EC contrast of 45.8%, a mean response time of 3.4 s, and a coloration efficiency of 89.3 cm2/C. C@V 2 O 5 also displayed higher cycling stability (80.6% retention after 5000 cycles) and highly reversible ionic transport during redox reactions, compared with those of the bare V 2 O 5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Co2+-doped BiOBr x Cl 1-x has been synthesized by microwave-assisted hydrothermal approach. • Superior performance of Co2+-doped BiOBr x Cl 1-x over the pure BiOBr catalysts. • The doped BiOBr x Cl 1-x is superior in dye degradation and bacterial inactivation. • The doped BiOBr x Cl 1-x reveals excellent stability and recyclability. In this article, we have synthesized Co2+-doped BiOBr x Cl 1-x hierarchical nanostructured microspheres, featuring different degrees of Co2+ doping, displaying excellent photocatalytic performance. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy indicated that the Co2+ ions were successfully doped into the BiOBr x Cl 1-x nanocrystals. The photodegradation rate of rhodamine B mediated by a doped BiOBr x Cl 1-x was 150 % greater than that of the non-doped BiOBr. We ascribe the improved photocatalytic capability of the Co2+-doped BiOBr x Cl 1-x to a combination of its superior degree of light absorption, more efficient carrier separation, and faster interfacial charge migration. The major active species involved in the photodegradation of RhB also has been investigated. Moreover, the doped BiOBr x Cl 1-x possessed excellent cellular biocompatibility and displayed remarkable performance in the photocatalytic bacterial inactivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Character and chlorine reactivity of DOM in biochar-added soils were examined. • Condensed aromatics increased and microbial DOM decreased with 11 years of treatment. • Such responses were not significant for the DOM with 5 years of treatment. • Formation/toxicity of disinfection byproducts of DOM chlorination were not altered. Biochar is widely and increasingly applied to farmlands. However, it remains unclear how long-term biochar addition alters the characteristics and chlorine reactivity of soil-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM), an important terrestrial disinfection byproduct (DBP) precursor in watersheds. Here, we analyzed the spectroscopic and molecular-level characteristics of soil-derived DOM and the formation and toxicity of DBP mixtures from DOM chlorination for two long-term (5 and 11 years) biochar addition experimental farmlands. As indicated by spectroscopic indices and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry analyses, 11 years of biochar addition could increase the humic-like and aromatic and condensed aromatic DOM and decrease the microbial-derived DOM, while 5 years of biochar addition at the other site did not. The response of condensed aromatic dissolved black carbon did not increase with increasing cumulative biochar dose but appeared to be affected by biochar aging time. Despite the possible increase in aromatic DOM, biochar addition neither increased the reactivity of DOM in forming trihalomethanes, haloacetonitriles, chloral hydrates, or haloketones nor significantly increased the microtoxicity or genotoxicity of the DBP mixture. This study indicates that biochar addition in watersheds may not deteriorate the drinking water quality via the export of terrestrial DBP precursors like wildfire events. Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Researches have found that alteration of intestinal flora may be closely related to the development of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, whether probiotics supplementation has a protective effect on ASD remains controversial. This meta-analysis aimed to analyze the outcome of probiotics in the treatment of ASD children. Methods: The Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Embase were searched until Sep 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) relevant to the probiotics and placebo treatment on ASD children were screened. Quality assessment of the included RCTs was evaluated by the Cochrane collaboration's tool. The primary outcomes were ASD assessment scales, including ABC (aberrant behavior checklist) and CBCL (child behavior checklist) for evaluating the behavior improvement, SRS (social responsiveness scale) for social assessment, DQ (developmental quotient) for physical and mental development and CGI-I (clinical global impression improvement) for overall improvement. The secondary outcome was total 6-GSI (gastrointestinal severity index). Results: In total, 6 RCTs from 6 studies with 302 children were included in the systemic review. Total 6-GSI (MD=-0.59, 95%CI [-1.02,-0.17], P < 0.05) decreased significantly after oral administration of probiotics. Whereas, there was no statistical difference in ABC, CBCL, SRS, DQ and CGI-I between probiotics and placebo groups in ASD children. Conclusion: Probiotics treatment could improve gastrointestinal symptoms, but there was no significant improvement in ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 58-day cultivation experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of photoperiods on growth, lipid metabolism and oxidative stress of juvenile gibel carp. Juveniles (5.41 ± 0.01 g) were cultured under seven light photoperiods (0 h of light (L):24 h of darkness (D), 4L:20D (12:00–16:00 light), 8L:16D (10:00–18:00 light), 12L:12D (8:00–20:00 light), 16L:8D (6:00–22:00 light), 20L:4D (4:00–24:00 light) and 24L:0D) in an indoor recirculating aquaculture system. The light intensity was 1.02 μmol·m−2·s−1 (at the tank bottom in a 0.5-m water depth). The fish were fed to satiety three times daily (8:30, 14:30 and 18:30). At the end of the experiment, final body weight, specific growth rate, feed efficiency and feed intake were significantly higher in 16L:8D, 20L:4D and 24L:0D groups than those in other groups (P < 0.05). Long-day photoperiods (16L:8D, 20L:4D and 24L:0D) simultaneously promoted lipogenesis, lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation. The increases in lipid retention efficiency, whole body lipid concentration and liver lipid content (P < 0.05) indicated that lipogenesis exceeded fatty acid oxidation. Liver oxidative stress was induced in juvenile gibel carp by short day lengths. The hepatic total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and the contents of metabolite glutathione were the highest in the short-day-length groups (0L:24D, 4L:20D and 8L:16D) (P < 0.05). Based on the growth performance and health status in the long-term cultivation experiment, the optimal photoperiods were 16L:8D, 20L:4D and 24L:0D in juvenile gibel carp. • Long light period promoted growth performance in juvenile gibel carp. • Long light period promoted the lipogenesis, lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation simultaneously. • The hepatic oxidative stress of gibel carp was induced in short light period. • The optimal photoperiods for juvenile gibel carp cultivation were 16L:8D，20L:4D and 24L:0D. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In execution of obtaining outstanding functional materials that possess the features of advanced mechanical behaviour, high thermal resistance and enhanced gamma radiation shielding properties, this present article aimed to boost qualitatively and quantitatively the desired performances of dicyanate ester of bisphenol-A/bisphenol-A based benzoxazine resin using hybrid fibers consisting of kevlar fibers and basalt fibers. To achieve this, the desired amounts of the hybrid fibers were initially surface treated using the silane coupling agent technique and then incorporated within the blend matrix with a total weight selected to be 40 wt%. According to the mechanical results, a noteworthy increase in the flexural and impact strength properties of the reinforced hybrid composites was chiefly observed as compared to the unfilled samples' properties. Based on the thermal stability studies, the reinforced hybrid composites also showed excellent thermal resistances. The hybrid composites' shielding properties, which were evaluated using a Cobalt-60 (60Co) as an irradiation source, revealed outstanding gamma-radiation shielding enhancements. The scanning electron microscope confirmed that the improvements in the investigated properties were essentially ascribed to the good dispersion and interfacial adhesion of the two high-performance hybrid fibers within the blend matrix with respect to their advanced properties. Therefore, the enhanced mechanical, thermal and nuclear shielding properties promote the use of the as-developed hybrid composites in domestic and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The benzophenone-center bisphenol-A containing phthalonitrile monomer (BBaph) was successfully produced by a nucleophilic substitution reaction of 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone with 4-nitrophthalonitrile and bisphenol-A in the presence of potassium carbonate. The chemical structure of the synthesized monomer was confirmed by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR), 13 C NMR, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The curing study of monomer was evaluated by the FTIR and DSC curves. The poly(BBaph) was subjected to gamma-ray irradiation with 100 kGy dose of 60 Co gamma radiation. The variation in chemical structure, mechanical, thermomechanical and thermal properties of poly(BBaph) was evaluated by FTIR, flexural, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. All results confirmed very minute deviation in the estimated properties before and after radiation. The BBaph monomer was blended with typical mono-functional benzoxazine ( P-a ) in different weight ratios. The DSC, DMA, and TGA tests were performed to study the properties of copolymers. The high glass transition temperature (164–227 °C), and stiffness values (2.72–3.03 GPa) was observed for the copolymers. The thermal stability was also improved after the loading of BBaph in P-a , recorded values were in the range of 367–408 °C, and 46.1–58.7% for 5% weight loss temperature and char yield at 800 °C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe-doped amorphous carbon films of about 100 nm in thickness are deposited on n-type silicon substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD), and positive magnetoresistance (MR) is observed for these Fe-doped amorphous carbon/n-Si heterostructures under current-perpendicular-to-plane configuration at forward bias. Two MR peaks are observed in the temperature range 40[?]120 K and the positive MR varies with applied bias voltage. This bias voltage controlled MR may be related to the magnetic-field-controlled freeze out effect and recombination through the deep trapping states in the Fe-doped carbon films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preface for the "International Journal of Modern Physics E," Volume 17, Number 9 (2008) is presented.

[Display omitted] • Immunotherapy for cancer is effective for some but not all patients. • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are showing promise as a way to improve immunotherapy. • EVs may influence the immune system's response to tumors. • Scientists are looking into engineering EVs for cancer treatment. Tumor immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, but limitations remain, including low response rates and immune complications. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as a new class of therapeutic agents for various diseases. Recent research shows that changes in the amount and composition of EVs can reshape the tumor microenvironment (TME), potentially improving the effectiveness of immunotherapy. This exciting discovery has sparked clinical interest in using EVs to enhance the immune system's response to cancer. In this Review, we delve into the world of EVs, exploring their origins, how they're generated, and their complex interactions within the TME. We also discuss the crucial role EVs play in reshaping the TME during tumor development. Specifically, we examine how their cargo, including molecules like PD-1 and non-coding RNA, influences the behavior of key immune cells within the TME. Additionally, we explore the current applications of EVs in various cancer therapies, the latest advancements in engineering EVs for improved immunotherapy, and the challenges faced in translating this research into clinical practice. By gaining a deeper understanding of how EVs impact the TME, we can potentially uncover new therapeutic vulnerabilities and significantly enhance the effectiveness of existing cancer immunotherapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MRI is used in prostate diagnosis because of its clarity and non-invasiveness. • Our prostate tumor diagnosis is based on the deep learning network PSP-Net+VGG16. • PSP-Net constructs a atrous convolution residual structure model extraction network. • Classification accuracy and recognition rates of prostate MRI based on VGG16 are high. • PSP-Net+VGG16 has superior accuracy and processing in tumor diagnosis. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer of the male reproductive system. With the development of medical imaging technology, magnetic resonance images (MRI) have been used in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer because of its clarity and non-invasiveness. Prostate MRI segmentation and diagnosis experience problems such as low tissue boundary contrast. The traditional segmentation method of manually drawing the contour boundary of the tissue cannot meet the clinical real-time requirements. How to quickly and accurately segment the prostate tumor has become an important research topic. This paper proposes a prostate tumor diagnosis based on the deep learning network PSP-Net+VGG16. The deep convolutional neural network segmentation method based on the PSP-Net constructs a atrous convolution residual structure model extraction network. First, the three-dimensional prostate MRI is converted to two-dimensional image slices, and then the slice input of the two-dimensional image is trained based on the PSP-Net neural network; and the VGG16 network is used to analyze the region of interest and classify prostate cancer and normal prostate. According to the experimental results, the segmentation method based on the deep learning network PSP-Net is used to identify the data set samples. The segmentation accuracy is close to the Dice similarity coefficient and Hausdorff distance, and even exceeds the traditional prostate image segmentation method. The Dice index reached 91.3%, and the technique is superior in speed of processing. The predicted tumor markers are very close to the actual markers manually by clinicians; the classification accuracy and recognition rates of prostate MRI based on VGG16 are as high as 87.95% and 87.33%, and the accuracy rate and recall rate of the network model are relatively balanced. The area under curve index is also higher than other models, with good generalization ability. Experiments show that prostate cancer diagnosis based on the deep learning network PSP-Net+VGG16 is superior in accuracy and processing time compared to other algorithms, and can be well applied to clinical prostate tumor diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual improvement on electrochemical kinetics and lifespan of LiNi 0.5 Mn 1.5 O 4 (LNMO) cathode material is of great significance for realizing high-power and durable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). To achieve this goal, the Mg2+−Cr3+ co-doping LNMO microspheres were prepared via the coprecipitation route. FTIR, Raman spectra and magnetic susceptibility verify that both the Mg2+ and Cr3+ doping are beneficial for the formation of disordered Fd 3m phase leading to the improvement of electronic conductivity and decrease in electrochemical polarization and the charge transfer resistance (R ct). Meanwhile, the doping also reduces the content of Mn3+ in LNMO which can diminish the dissolution of Mn3+ resulting in the enhancement of cycling life. As a result, the Mg2+−Cr3+ co-doping sample (MC-LNMO) exhibits an improved electrochemical performance (EP). A discharge capacity (DC) of 110.7 mAh/g at 10C can be obtained for MC-LNMO which is higher than that of pure LNMO (only 53 mAh/g) and after 200 cycles the capacity fade is only 4.6% at 25 °C. To further evaluate the MC-LNMO electrode for practical application, in this study, the full cells were also fabricated using the MC-LNMO as cathode and Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 (LTO) as anode. In the combination, the full device exhibits high energy density (ED) and long cycle life due to the large difference in the working potential of LNMO (4.7 V) and LTO (1.55 V) and their excellent lifespan. These findings provide a simple and scalable method to boost the EP of LNMO, which can be used to fabricate high-quality LIBs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Removing SGSPs/SGAPs resulted in poor bread quality. • It decreased the specific volume and crumb porosity in bread. • Bread without SGSPs modified the water migration and distribution. • More soluble starch leached and promoted relative recrystallinity. The influence of starch granule surface proteins (SGSPs) and starch granule-associated proteins (SGAPs) on bread retrogradation was investigated in a reconstituted dough system. The removal of both SGSPs and SGAPs resulted in poor bread qualities, decreasing specific volume and crumb porosity, leading to more baking loss and compact crumb structure. Particularly, removing SGSPs was effective in promoting the bread retrogradation. After 7 days of storage, the hardness of bread without SGSPs showed an increase of 353.34 g than the bread without SGAPs. Proton population and relaxation times exhibited that the absence of SGSPs significantly decreased the content of bound water from 11.51 % to 7.03 %, indicating lower water-holding capacity due to the loosen gelling structure. Compared to the control group, bread without SGSPs accelerated the starch recrystallinity by a reduction in soluble starch content, thereby increasing the retrogradation enthalpy and relative crystallinity through promoting the molecular reassociation in starch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Density functional B3LYP method with 6-31++G∗∗ basis set is applied to optimize the geometries of the luteolin, water and luteolin–(H2O) n complexes. The vibrational frequencies are also studied at the same level to analyze these complexes. We obtained four steady luteolin–H2O, nine steady luteolin–(H2O)2 and ten steady luteolin–(H2O)3, respectively. Theories of atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) are used to investigate the hydrogen bonds involved in all the systems. The interaction energies of all the complexes corrected by basis set superposition error, are within −13.7 to −82.5kJ/mol. The strong hydrogen bonding mainly contribute to the interaction energies, Natural bond orbital analysis is performed to reveal the origin of the interaction. All calculations also indicate that there are strong hydrogen bonding interactions in luteolin–(H2O) n complexes. The Oing modes of complexes are red-shifted relative to those of the monomer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • A consortium proficient in TAP degradation was domesticated from activated sludge. • TAP metabolic fate, mechanism and cross-feeding were first unraveled by muti-omics. • Key species Hydrogenophaga and Bosea inactivated TAP by oxidation and acetylation. • Hydrogenophaga sp. stored carbon and nitrogen by synthesizing cyanophycin and PHB. Thiamphenicol (TAP), a typical veterinary antibiotic, is emerging as a contaminant in livestock, poultry, and aquaculture environments. Addressing this concern, this study domesticated a TAP-degrading consortium in a lab-scale activated sludge bioreactor, demonstrating efficient degradation of up to 200 mg/L TAP within 50 h and elimination of antimicrobial activity. The microbial compositions, cross-feeding interactions, and underlying metabolic mechanisms were unveiled through multi-omics. TAP was modified at two hydroxyl groups for the initial step in three pathways including oxidation at C 3 -OH, dehydrogenation at both C 1 -OH and C 3 -OH, and acetylation at C 3 -OH. Hydrogenophaga (MAG1 and MAG2) and Bosea (MAG9) were implicated in oxidation and acetylation of TAP, respectively. Aromatic compounds and 2,2-dichloroacetic acid (DCA) were the principal downstream metabolites of TAP. MAG9 (Bosea), MAG10 (Rubrivivax), and MAG13 (Hyphomicrobium) were predicted as DCA degraders, while MAG4 (Xanthobacteraceae, Ga0077548) and MAG10 (Rubrivivax) conducted the catabolism of aromatic compounds. Therefore, consortium members collaborated to efficiently reduce and detoxify TAP. Furthermore, the co-metabolism of TAP and extracellular substrates supported the microbial populations' growth. Genomic traits and transcriptional profiles suggested that the dominant Hydrogenophaga (MAG1) could store carbon and nitrogen by synthesizing cyanophycin and polyhydroxybutyrate biopolymers. Ultimately, this comprehensive understanding of TAP biodegradation will aid in formulating efficient biotreatment strategies for TAP-contaminated environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous studies have shown that the Qingre Qushi (QRQS) formula can treat atopic dermatitis (AD), and its possible mechanism is related to the regulation of the IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway. However, the molecular mechanism of AD is complex, and various AD subtypes respond better to therapies aimed at distinct targets. This study aimed to investigate the multi-target mechanism of QRQS using experimental and network pharmacology studies. Flaky tail (FT) mice were treated with different concentrations of QRQS and cetirizine. The dermatitis score, scratching frequency, and histological evaluation were normatively evaluated. The levels of IgE and IgG1 in serum were tested using ELISAs. Using ELISA and RT-PCR, the expression of associated cytokines was determined. IL-17A-stimulated HaCaT cells were treated with QRQS to assess mRNA and protein expression. To elucidate the mechanism, a network pharmacology analysis based on active components derived from UPLC was conducted. Through molecular docking, we evaluated the binding affinity between the active constituents of QRQS and potential targets. Using UPLC, 177 active ingredients in QRQS were identified. Network pharmacology analysis showed that the anti-AD effect of the active ingredients was related to the IL-17 signaling pathway and its related targets. FT mice are characterized by Th17-dominated immune disorders. QRQS ameliorated AD-like symptoms and decreased dermatitis scores and scratching frequencies. After QRQS treatment, IL-17A expression was inhibited and IL-17 pathway-associated cytokines were downregulated. Along with changes in Th17-differentiation, QRQS suppressed the expression of IL-4, IL-13, and TNF-α. QRQS also decreased the expression of IL-6, IL-8, and COX-2 in HaCaT cells exposed to IL-17A. The anti-AD active doses are 3.86 g/kg/day in vivo and 100 μg/mL in vitro. QRQS has a multi-target immunoregulatory effect on AD and can improve the Th17-dominated inflammatory response by regulating the IL-17A signaling pathway. Quercetin, genistein, luteolin, and kaempferol are potential active ingredients. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation and design of new polymeric materials with an astonishing combination of properties are nowadays of great importance to facilitate the manufacturing process of high-quality products intended to be utilized in different applications and technical fields. For this intent, novel high-performance blend composites composed of the cyanate ester/benzoxazine resin blend reinforced by different proportions of silane-surface modified Kevlar and glass fibers were successfully fabricated by a compression molding technique and characterized by different experimental tests. The mechanical test results revealed that the bending and impact strength properties were considerably improved when increasing the amount of the hybrid fibers. The studied materials also presented excellent thermal stabilities as compared to the unfilled blend's properties. With respect to the properties of the reinforcing systems, these improvements seen in either the mechanical or thermal properties could be due to the good dispersion as well as excellent adhesion of the reinforcing fibers inside the resin matrix, which were further evidenced by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy results. Consequently, the improved mechanical and thermal properties promote the use of the fabricated hybrid composites in domestic and industrial applications requiring functional materials with advanced properties for aerospace and military applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this present work, silane modified acacia catechu particles (MACPs) filled dicyanate ester of bisphenol-A/bisphenol-A based benzoxazine (DCBA/BA-a) blend composites were successfully prepared by a simple and environmentally friendly solution blending method. The main focus of this study was to investigate the influence of the modified particles on the overall morphological, mechanical and thermal properties of the blend composites using various tests. The FTIR analysis confirmed the surface modification of the acacia catechu particles. Besides, it showed the nature of the chemical interactions taking place between the modified particles the resin blend. According to the mechanical results, a remarkable increase in the tensile, impact strength and microhardness properties of the reinforced blend composites was chiefly observed as compared to the unfilled samples' properties. Based on the thermal stability studies, the filled blend composites showed much enhanced thermal resistance properties. The scanning electron microscope confirmed that the improvements in the investigated properties were essentially ascribed to the good dispersion and interfacial adhesion of the modified particles within the blend matrix with respect to their advanced properties. Therefore, we supposed herein that these eco-friendly acacia catechu particles have enough potential to be utilized as alternative fillers for producing naturally friendly blend composites with tailored properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the influence of cyclohexane/ethanol, alkali, and silane treatments on the waste hemp fibers and their polybenzoxazine composites. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests were carried out to understand the influence of treatments on the fibers. FTIR results revealed that hemicellulose and lignin of the fibers were removed after washing with cyclohexane/ethanol, and thermal stability of the fibers was improved after the alkali and silane treatments. The consequences of the treatments on the hemp fiber composites were studied by evaluating the mechanical, thermomechanical, thermal, and water uptake properties. The flexural, tensile and impact tests results confirmed that the silane treated fiber composites displayed highest properties than the other treated fiber composites. Furthermore, the stiffness and glass transition temperature of the silane treated fiber composites were also best among the studied composites. Moreover, the thermal stabilities values showed the lowest decline for the silane treated composites; due to the better thermal stability of the silane treated fibers, and lowest water absorption was also recorded for the silane treated fiber composites. The morphological studies confirmed that the silane treated fiber composite had stronger fiber/matrix adhesion interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the effect rapid temperature change from moderate temperature to high temperatures on heat shock protein (HSP) expression and antioxidant enzyme activities in mud crabs. Two mud crabs, one with one spine on the outer margin of the carpus of cheliped (Sp1) and another with two spines (Sp2), were acclimated at 25 °C and then transferred to a 33 °C environment, and HSP expression and antioxidant enzyme activity were assessed. HSP70 and HSP60 were markedly up-regulated in the gills and hepatopancreas of Sp1 and Sp2 after exposure to 35 °C. Exposure to 35 °C also significantly increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activity in the gills of Sp1 and Sp2, with transient changes in hepatopancreas. Apart from changes in antioxidant enzyme activities, HSPs were highly up-regulated after exposure to 37 °C, especially for HSP70. Gill HSP70 expression in Sp2 was 6.1 folds that of the control after 24 h of exposure to 37 °C, and 9.2 folds that of Sp1. Moreover, exposure to 37 °C further up-regulated HSP70 in the hepatopancreas of Sp1, compared to that in Sp2. Hence, HSPs play important roles in thermotolerance in S. paramamosain and Sp1 might have a stronger tolerance to hyperthermal stress than Sp2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this current study, alkali treated eco-friendly hemp fibers were chosen to reinforce thermosetting resin blend composed of cyanate ester and benzoxazine resin. For various volume fractions ranging from 5 to 20 vol % with a regular increment of 5 vol%, their effects on the morphological, mechanical behaviour and water uptake properties were experimentally evaluated using the scanning electron microscopy, flexural, tensile and water uptake tests. The produced composites possessed much ameliorated flexural properties as compared to those of the unfilled resin. Data from the tensile test revealed a continuous increase in the composites' tensile strength and modulus as the proportion of the treated fibers augmented. Furthermore, the tensile experimental results were compared to the most commonly used empirical models like the rule of mixture (ROM), revised rule of mixture (RROM), inverse rule of mixture (IROM), Halpin Tsai (HT), Lewis and Nielson (LN), and Halpin Kardos (HK) models. It was found that the alkali treated fibers were arranged in a 3D random fiber arrangement according to the RROM model and the HK model was identified to fit well the tensile experimental results. The experimental results and theoretical modeling confirmed that the water absorption in the produced composites was increased and governed by the Fickian diffusion. These effects took place due to the chemical and morphological changes in the treated fiber external surfaces, which promoted better interfacial adhesion between the plant fibers and the polymer blend matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, various concentrations of silane treated carbon fibers (TCFs) were incorporated within cyanate ester/benzoxazine resin to demonstrate their effects on the morphological, mechanical, thermal decomposition properties of the composites. Mechanical test inferred the distinctive improvements in the values of the flexural strength and modulus. The glass transition temperature ( T g ) determined from the DSC measurements were appreciably higher than those of the unfilled blend. TGA results showed an improved in the thermal stability in terms of the T 5% , T 10% , Y c , T HRI and LOI for all composites. For instance, the T 5% , T 10% , Y c , T HRI and LOI were respectively 345.1 °C, 391.8 °C, 50.1%, 217.1 °C and 37.5% for the composites with 20 wt% of the TCFs. The thermal degradation was assessed by evaluating the variation of the activation energy ( E ac ) of the composites by using three kinetic models, namely Horowitz and Metzger, Coat and Redfern, and Broido models. It was found that the E ac greatly increased and further reflected the improvement in the thermal stability of the composites. This could be attributed the unique characteristics of the TCFs that possibly resulted in effective physical barrier effects against thermal degradation, thereby leading to the amelioration of the thermal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential effects of insect-resistant, genetically engineered (GE) crops on non-target organisms, especially on predators and parasitoids, must be evaluated before their commercial cultivation. The effects of GE maize that produces Cry1Ac toxin on the parasitoid Macrocentrus cingulum were assessed by direct bioassay and indirect bioassay. In the indirect bioassay, parasitism rate, cocoon weight and the number of M. cingulum progeny produced per host were significantly reduced when M. cingulum-parasitized Cry1Ac-susceptible Ostrinia furnacalis were fed a diet containing purified Cry1Ac; however, life-table parameters of M. cingulum were not adversely affected when the same assay was performed with Cry1Ac-resistant O. furnacalis. These results indicated that the detrimental effects detected with a Cry1Ac-susceptible host were mediated by poor host quality. In a direct bioassay, no difference in life-table parameters were detected when M. cingulum adults were directly fed a 20% honey solution with or without Cry1Ac; however, survival and longevity were significantly reduced when M. cingulum adults were fed a honey solution containing potassium arsenate, which was used as a positive control. The stability and bioactivity of Cry1Ac toxin in the food sources and Cry1Ac toxin uptake by the host insect and parasitoid were confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and sensitive-insect bioassays. Our results demonstrate that M. cingulum is not sensitive to Cry1Ac toxin at concentrations exceeding those encountered in Bacillus thuringiensis maize fields. This study also demonstrates the power of using resistant hosts when assessing the risk of genetically modified plants on non-target organisms and will be useful for assessing other non-target impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibroblast migration is a central process in skin wound healing, which requires the coordination of several types of growth factors. bFGF, a well-known fibroblast growth factor (FGF), is able to accelerate fibroblast migration; however, the underlying mechanism of bFGF regulation fibroblast migration remains unclear. Through the RNA-seq analysis, we had identified that the hedgehog (Hh) canonical pathway genes including Smoothened (Smo) and Gli1, were regulated by bFGF. Further analysis revealed that activation of the Hh pathway via up-regulation of Smo promoted fibroblast migration, invasion, and skin wound healing, but which significantly reduced by GANT61, a selective antagonist of Gli1/Gli2. Western blot analyses and siRNA transfection assays demonstrated that Smo acted upstream of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-β-catenin to promote cell migration. Moreover, RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses revealed that Hh pathway genes including Smo and Gli1 were under control of β-catenin, suggesting that β-catenin turn feedback activates Hh signaling. Taken together, our analyses identified a new bFGF-regulating mechanism by which Hh signaling regulates human fibroblast migration, and the data presented here opens a new avenue for the wound healing therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Whether additional benefit can be achieved with the use of L-carnitine (L-C) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) remains controversial. We therefore performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of L-C treatment in CHF patients. Methods. Pubmed, Ovid Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database, Wanfang database, Chinese Biomedical (CBM) database, and Chinese Science and Technology Periodicals database (VIP) until September 30, 2016, were identified. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were systematically evaluated by two reviewers independently. Results. 17 RCTs with 1625 CHF patients were included in this analysis. L-C treatment in CHF was associated with considerable improvement in overall efficacy (OR = 3.47, P<0.01), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (WMD: 4.14%, P=0.01), strike volume (SV) (WMD: 8.21 ml, P=0.01), cardiac output (CO) (WMD: 0.88 L/min, P<0.01), and E/A (WMD: 0.23, P<0.01). Moreover, treatment with L-C also resulted in significant decrease in serum levels of BNP (WMD: −124.60 pg/ml, P=0.01), serum levels of NT-proBNP (WMD: −510.36 pg/ml, P<0.01), LVESD (WMD: −4.06 mm, P<0.01), LVEDD (WMD: −4.79 mm, P<0.01), and LVESV (WMD: −20.16 ml, 95% CI: −35.65 to −4.67, P<0.01). However, there were no significant differences in all-cause mortality, 6-minute walk, and adverse events between L-C and control groups. Conclusions. L-C treatment is effective for CHF patients in improving clinical symptoms and cardiac functions, decreasing serum levels of BNP and NT-proBNP. And it has a good tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the polyamide (PA)/reduced graphene (rGO) nanocomposites used for thermally conductive materials have been synthesized through melting blending. A titanate coupling agent (TCA) is used to modify the rGO to enhance the chemical compatibility between rGO and PA. The results suggest that the covalent bonds can be formed by the chemical reaction between alkoxy group of titanate molecules and hydroxyl groups on the graphene oxide (GO). With the interfacial modification, the rGO can be dispersed well within the PA matrix. Moreover, the TCA molecule can replace of water of hydration at the rGO surface, which can eliminate the air voids within the composites resulting in better thermal conductivity. The LED lamp incorporated with the rGO based composite as heat sink also display better durability due to its excellent thermal dissipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop a new electrochemical DNA biosensor for determination of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase, a highly sensitive and selective electrochemical biosensor for DNA detection was constructed based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with gold nanoparticles (Au-nano). The Au-nano/GCE was characterized by scanning electromicroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The hybridization detection was measured by differential pulse voltammetry using methylene blue as the hybridization indicator. The dynamic range of detection of the sensor for the target DNA sequences was from 1 × 10-11 to 1 × 10-8 M, with an LOD of 1 × 10-12 M. The DNA biosensor had excellent specificity for distinguishing complementary DNA sequence in the presence of non-complementary and mismatched DNA sequence. The Au-nano/GCE showed significant improvement in electrochemical characteristics, and this biosensor was successfully applied for determination of K. pneumoniae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the surface modified TiO 2 nanoparticles have been prepared through microwave-assisted reaction with oleic acid as surfactant. The as-synthesized TiO 2 nanoparticles reveal uniform particle size distribution and high dispersibility in organic solvents which can be easily integrated into solution-process. The organic capped TiO 2 (OC-TiO 2 ) has been applied as filler for LED encapsulant and electron collection layer for organic solar cells. With 1.0 wt% loading of TiO 2 nanoparticles, the refractive index (RI) of TiO 2 /silicone composites increase from 1.51 for neat silicone to 1.575. As a result, a high-power LED encapsulated with this composite showed more than 9% increase in the light output. Moreover, the organic solar cell with the OC-TiO 2 as electron collection layer shows an enhanced long-term durability due to the hydrophobic property of OC-TiO 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major symptoms of diabetes mellitus (DM) is delayed wound healing, which affects large populations of patients worldwide. However, the underlying mechanism behind this illness remains elusive. Skin wound healing requires a series of coordinated processes, including fibroblast cell proliferation and migration. Here, we simulate DM by application of high glucose (HG) in human foreskin primary fibroblast cells to analyze the molecular mechanism of DM effects on wound healing. The results indicate that HG, at a concentration of 30 mM, delay cell migration, but not cell proliferation. bFGF is known to promote cell migration that partially rescues HG effects on cell migration. Molecular and cell biology studies demonstrated that HG enhanced ROS production and repressed JNK phosphorylation, but did not affect Rac1 activity. JNK and Rac1 activation were known to be important for bFGF regulated cell migration. To further confirm DM effects on skin repair, a type 1 diabetic rat model was established, and we observed the efficacy of bFGF on both normal and diabetic rat skin repair. Furthermore, proteomic studies identified an increase of Annexin A2 protein nitration in HG-stressed fibroblasts and the nitration was protected by activation of bFGF signaling. Treatment with FGFR1 and JNK inhibitors delayed cell migration and increased Annexin A2 nitration levels, indicating that Annexin A2 nitration is modulated by bFGF signaling via activation of JNK. Together with these results, our data suggests that the HG-mediated delay of cell migration is linked to the inhibition of bFGF signaling, specifically through JNK suppression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A series of single-phase Ni x Mn 1-x (OH) 2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) have been prepared by coprecipitation reaction. • With the incorporation of Mn ions into Ni(OH) 2 , the deprotonation energy can be reduced. • Ni 3/4 Mn 1/4 (OH) 2 shows the best electrochemical performance with a capacitance of 758.7 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. • The Ni 3/4 Mn 1/4 (OH) 2 //AC exhibits a high energy density of 40.7 Wh kg−1 at power density of 800 W kg−1. In this article, a series of single-phase Ni x Mn 1-x (OH) 2 hydroxides with x = 1, 3/4, 2/4, 1/4 and 0 have been prepared by coprecipitation reaction. The effect of chemical composition of the Ni x Mn 1-x (OH) 2 hydroxides on the capacitive characteristics has been systematically investigated. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the incorporation of Mn ions into Ni(OH) 2 hydroxide can reduce the deprotonation energy and energy gap leading to better electron transport. However, the morphological structure of the hydroxides also becomes larger and coarser with decreasing the x value from 1 to 0, which is unfavorable for the electrochemical performance. Therefore, there is a trade-off between deprotonation energy, band gap, morphology and surface area to achieve high-performance capacitive materials. The results demonstrate Ni 3/4 Mn 1/4 (OH) 2 hydroxide with the optimal chemical composition shows the best electrochemical performance with a capacitance of 758.7 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 and excellent rate performance of 517.6 F g−1 at 10 A g−1. The asymmetric supercapacitors incorporated with Ni 3/4 Mn 1/4 (OH) 2 and active carbon (AC) also exhibit a high energy density of 40.7 Wh kg−1 at power density of 800 W kg−1 and remarkable cycling life along with 94.4% retention after 3000 cycles. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three-dimensional Langevin model plus a constraint on the heavy fragment deformation is used to study the fission dynamics for uranium and plutonium isotopes at low excitation energies. The potential energy surface is calculated with the macroscopic-microscopic model based on the two-center shell model. The Werner-Wheeler approximation is used to calculate the inertia tensor and the wall-and-window model is applied to calculate the friction tensor. In this work, the influence of the model parameters on the fission fragment mass distribution is investigated. The fission fragment mass distributions for 234,236,239U and 240Pu at low excitation energies are calculated and compared with the results of gef code as well as the evaluated data of ENDF/B-VIII.0. A nice agreement is found in the comparison, in which the incorporation of the constraint on the heavy fragment deformation plays an important role. In addition, the dependence of the mass distribution on the excitation energies for n+235U fission is also studied within the model. Furthermore, the correlation between the elongation and mass asymmetry at the scission point and the correlations of the fission time with both the elongation and mass asymmetry are studied. This study may shed light on understanding the dynamics of the superlong channel for symmetric fission and the standard channels for asymmetric fission in the gef model and other phenomenological fission models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studied the structural, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties of newly designed polymeric materials using high-performance hybrid fibers to reinforce the polybenzoxazine resins. To achieve this goal, hybrid fibers consisting of chopped Kevlar and carbon fibers were subjected to a silane surface treatment, incorporated into the resin matrix in various combinations, and then isothermally cured using the compression molding technique. The mechanical performances of the prepared composites were scrutinized in terms of bending and tensile tests. By way of illustration, the composites holding 20 wt % Kevlar fibers and 20 wt % carbon fibers accomplished a bending strength and modulus of 237.35 MPa and 7.80 GPa, respectively. Additionally, the same composites recorded a tensile stress and toughness of 77 MPa and 0.27 MPa, respectively, indicating an increase of about 234% and 32.8% when compared to the pristine resin's properties. The thermogravimetric analysis denoted an excellent thermal resistance of the reinforced hybrid composites. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy proved that the functional groups of the as-used coupling agent were effectively grafted on the external surfaces of the reinforcing systems, and further confirmed that the chemical reaction took place between the treated fibers and the polybenzoxazine matrix, although the scanning electron microscope showed a uniform dispersion and interfacial adhesion of the fibers within the resin matrix. In fact, the incorporation of treated fibers along with their good dispersion/adhesion could explain the progressive enhancement in terms of thermal and mechanical properties that were observed in the hybrid composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]