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Two novel, designated strains 29W222T and 2943T, were isolated from the marine sediment from Aoshan Bay, Jimo, PR China. Growth was observed at pH 6.0–8.5 (optimum, pH 7.5) for strain 29W222T, and pH 5.5–8.5 (pH 7.0) for strain 2943T. Both strains displayed growth in 0.5–6 % NaCl with an optimum at 1 % for 29W222T; 0.5 % for 2943T. Both strains grew optimally at 33 °C. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that 29W222T and 2943T represented members of the genus Fulvivirga and strain 29W222T was most closely related to Fulvivirga kasyanovii KMM 6220T (97.9 % sequence similarity) and Fulvivirga imtechensis AK7T (95.0 %), and 2943T to Fulvivirga imtechensis AK7T (95.7 %) and Fulvivirga kasyanovii KMM 6220T (94.8 %). The genomic DNA G+C contents of 29W222T and 2943T were 39.9 and 37.7 mol%, respectively. The results of chemotaxonomic analysis indicated that the sole respiratory quinone was menaquinone 7 (MK-7), and the major fatty acid was iso-C15 : 0 for both strains. Average nucleotide identity and average amino acid identity values between strain 29W222T and Fulvivirga kasyanovii KMM 6220T were 78.9 and 83.6 %, respectively; the corresponding values between 2943T and Fulvivirga imtechensis AK7T were 69.8 and 63.6 %, respectively. Therefore, strains 29W222T and 2943T represent to two novel species of the genus Fulvivirga , for which the names Fulvivirga marina sp. nov. (29W222T=KCTC 62848T=MCCC 1K05194T) and Fulvivirga sediminis sp. nov. (2943T=KCTC 62847T= MCCC 1K05144T) are proposed, respectively.

A Gram-stain-positive, rod-shaped, whitesmoke-coloured and aerobic bacterium, designated strain Co35T, was isolated from the intestine of Collichthys lucidus collected from the Jiangmen Guangdong Chinese White Dolphin Provincial Nature Reserve. Strain Co35T was able to grow at 15–35 °C (optimal 28 °C), at pH 7.0–8.5 (optimal 8.0) and with 0–9 % (w/v) NaCl (optimal 0.5–1 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain Co35T was a member of the genus Aeromicrobium within the family Nocardioidaceae . The genomic DNA G+C content of strain Co35T was 68.4 mol%. Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that the sole respiratory quinone was menaquinone 9 (MK-9), and the major fatty acids included 10-methyl C18 : 0. The polar lipids were found to consist of phosphatidylglycerol (PG), diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylinositol (PI), two unidentified phospholipids (PL1–2) and two unidentified glycolipids (GL1–2). On the basis of its phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, genotypic and genomic characteristics presented in this study, strain Co35T represents a novel species in the genus Aeromicrobium , for which the name Aeromicrobium piscarium sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Co35T (=KCTC 49280T=MCCC 1K03754T).

Background Numerous studies have reported associations between particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters of ≤2.5 μm (PM2.5) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) hospitalizations and mortality in cities worldwide. Nonetheless, the evidence of an association remains varied and limited. Methods Systematic searches were conducted in 6 common English and Chinese electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Ovid, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI]). A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) to evaluate the relationship between PM2.5 and COPD hospitalizations and mortality. Publication bias and heterogeneity of samples were tested using a funnel plot and the Egger's test. Studies were analyzed using either a random-effect model or a fixed-effect model. Results The search yielded 18 studies suitable for meta-analysis during the period from Jan 1, 2010 to Dec 31, 2018. A 10-μg/m³ increase in PM2.5 was associated with a 2.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8-3.2%) increase in COPD hospitalizations, with an OR of 1.025 (95% CI: 1.018-1.032), and a 1.5% (95% CI: 0.9-2.2%) increase in COPD mortality, with an OR of 1.015 (95% CI: 1.009-1.022). Comparing different age groups, elderly people were more sensitive to the adverse effects. The estimated risk was higher in European countries than Asian countries, and in warm compared cold seasons. Various additional confounding factors also led to different results. Conclusions PM2.5 is associated with COPD hospitalizations and mortality. Controlling ambient air pollution would provide benefits to COPD patients.

Plant viruses can modify the performance and behavior of insect vectors to maximize their transmission rates. Whether viruses can evolve to mediate their insect vectors’ interspecific competition is poorly understood. Here, we used two vectors of tomato zonate spot virus (TZSV), one native species (Thrips palmi) and one exotic species (Frankliniella occidentalis), to investigate this in laboratory and field experiments. TZSV infection increased the population growth of its insect vectors when the thrips species were isolated from one another. When both species coexisted, F. occidentalis displaced T. palmi on both TZSV-infected and uninfected plants. However, on TZSV-infected plant, F. occidentalis completely displaced T. palmi more rapidly (within 14 days) than on uninfected plants. Our results also revealed that reproductive interference occurred between the two thrips species, whereas TZSV-infected pepper significantly decreased the reproductive interference of T. palmi to F. occidentalis. When F. occidentalis and T. palmi co-occurred in Jinning County, Yunnan Province, we found a rising trend of natural proportions of F. occidentalis in the TZSV-infected pepper fields, suggesting that TZSV-infected pepper enhanced the competitive advantage of F. occidentalis over T. palmi in the field. Together, our findings demonstrate a plant virus that plays an important role in the competitive displacement of its insect vectors.

Aiming at the problem of negative segregation under a bloom surface, a coupling macrosegregation model considering electromagnetic field, flow, heat, and solute transport was established based on the volume average method to study the effect of in-mold electromagnetic stirring (M-EMS) on the negative segregation under the bloom surface. In the model, the influence of dendrite structure on the flow and solute transport was described by the change of permeability. The model was validated by the magnetic induction intensity of M-EMS and carbon segregation experiment. The results show that the solute C in the solidified shell in the turbulent zone of the bloom undergoes two negative segregations, whereby the first is caused by nozzle jet, and the second by the M-EMS. The severities of the negative segregation caused by M-EMS at different currents and frequencies are also different, and the larger the current is, or the smaller the frequency is, the more serious will be the negative segregation. With the M-EMS, the solute C distribution in the liquid phase of the bloom is more uniform, but the mass fraction of C in the liquid phase is higher than that without M-EMS.

Tomato zonate spot virus (TZSV), a member of the genus orthotospovirus, causes severe damage to vegetables and ornamental crops in southwest China. The NSs protein is an RNA silencing suppressor in various orthotospovirus like TZSV, but its mechanism and role in virus infection are poorly understood. Here, we observed that an NSs-GFP fusion protein was transiently expressed on the plasma membrane and Golgi bodies in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The TZSV NSs gene was silenced and infiltrated into N. benthamiana and N. tabacum cv. K326. RT-qPCR and Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ID-ELISA) showed that the transcription and the protein expression of the NSs gene were inhibited by more than 90.00%, and the symptoms on silenced plants were alleviated. We also found that the expression of the Zingipain-2-like gene significantly decreased when the NSs gene was silenced, resulting in co-localization of the NSs-GFP and the Zingipain-2-like-mCherry fusion protein. The findings of this study provide new insights into the mechanism of silencing suppression by NSs, as well as its effect on systemic virus infection, and also support the theory of disease resistance breeding and control and prevention of TZSV in the field.

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by toxigenic fungi that commonly contaminate agricultural crops. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate whether Bacillus subtilis ANSB060, Bacillus subtilis ANSB01G, and Devosia sp. ANSB714-based mycotoxin biodegradation agent (MBA) could alleviate the negative effects of naturally moldy diet containing aflatoxin (AF), zearalenone (ZEN), and deoxynivalenol (DON) on growth performance, serum immune function, and antioxidant capacity as well as tissue residues in mice. A total of 54 mice were randomly divided into three dietary treatments: basal diet (CON), multi-mycotoxins contaminated diet (MCD) containing AF, ZEN and DON and multi-mycotoxins contaminated diet plus MBA at a dose of 1.0 g kg-1 feed (MCD + MBA). Mice fed with moldy diet showed a significant decrease in body weight gain (p < 0.05), whereas the relative weight of the liver, spleen and uterus were remarkably increased (p < 0.05). Serum IgA and IgM contents were significantly decreased in MCD treatment compared with that in CON treatment (p < 0.05). In contrast, serum interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations were significantly promoted in mice fed with moldy diet (p < 0.05). Besides, the exposure to mycotoxins caused marked down-regulation of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in mice (p < 0.05). The addition of MBA effectively counteracted these toxic effects of moldy diet on mice. And DON residues in kidneys of mice consuming moldy diet were eliminated by the supplementation with MBA. Taken together, Bacillus subtilis ANSB060, Bacillus subtilis ANSB01G, and Devosia sp. ANSB714-based mycotoxin biodegradation agent has great potential use as a microbial additive to counteract mycotoxins contamination in food and feed.

for ultra-low-carbon (ULC) steel production, the higher oxygen content before Ruhrstahl-Heraeus (RH) decarburization (de-C) treatment could shorten the de-C time in the RH degasser. However, this would lead to oxidation rates being exceeded by molten steel production, affecting ULC steel surface quality. In this work, a carbon powder addition (CPA) process was proposed to reduce the dissolved oxygen content at the end of RH de-C through addition of carbon powder to molten steel in the vacuum vessel. Carbon and oxygen behavior during the CPA and conventional process was then studied. The results demonstrated that the de-C rate with CPA was lower compared to the conventional process, but the carbon content at the end of de-C presented no difference. The de-C reaction for CPA process took place in the four reaction sites: (1) within the bulk steel where the spontaneous CO bubbles form; (2) splashing area on the liquid steel surface; (3) Ar bubble surface; (4) molten steel surface. The CPA process could significantly reduce the dissolved oxygen content at the end of de-C, the sum content of FeO and MnO in the slag, the aluminum consumption, and the defect rate of rolled products. This was beneficial in improving ULC steel cleanliness.

By introducing different ancillary ligands and solvent molecules, four lanthanide complexes [Yb2(L)2(acac)2(CH3OH)2]·CH3OH·H2O (1), [Lu2(L)2(acac)2(CH3OH)2]·2CH3OH (2), [Yb2(L)2(dbm)2(CH3OH)2]·CH3OH (3), and [Lu2(L)2(dbm)2(C2H5OH)2] (4) (where H2L = 2-(hydroxyimino)-2-[(5-methyl-2-hydroxyphenyl)methylene]hydrazide, Hacac = acetylacetonate and Hdbm = 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione) have been synthesized and characterized. The X-ray structural analyses show that complexes 1 and 2 are isostructural in the Triclinic system, space group Pī, complex 3 crystallizes in Monoclinic system, space group P21/c, and complex 4 crystallizes in Orthorhombic system, space group Pbca. The metal ions in complexes 1–4 are all eight-coordinated and show a similar distorted triangular dodecahedron coordination geometry. The fluorescence properties of complexes 1–4 were also investigated. Complexes 1 and 3 showed characteristic emission peaks of Yb(III) ion, while complexes 2 and 4 exhibited emission peaks consistent with that of the ligand when they were excited at the same wavelength.

The disease caused by Tomato zonate spot virus (TZSV), transmitted by Frankliniella occidentalis in a circulative-propagative manner, results in significant loss in production and quality in ornamentals and vegetable crops. Related to this recently found tospovirus (TZSV), knowledge involving the interaction between virus, vector, and host plants remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of TZSV infection on the changes in concentration of the plant hormones jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA), and the transcriptional regulation of JA- and SA-associated genes. Additionally, we verified that JA and SA inhibit the fitness of the vector F. occidentalis. This work brings to a new perspective on plant—virus–vector interactions is proposed, which could be applied to control the TZSV infection.

Five novel di- and tetra-nuclear rare earth complexes were synthesized by the variation of the solvent molecules: [Nd2(dbm)2(L)2(CH3OH)2]·0.75CH3OH (1), [Dy2(dbm)2(L)2(CH3OH)2]·4CH3OH (2), [Dy4(dbm)8(L)2(C3H7OH)2]·C3H7OH·2CH3CN (3), [Yb4(dbm)8(L)2(C3H7OH)2]·8CH3CN (4), [Y4(dbm)6(L)2(μ3-OH)2]·2CH3CN (5) (H2L = 2-[(2-hydroxyimino)propanehydrazide)methyl]-8-hydroxyquinoline, Hdbm = dibenzoylmethane). The structures of the complexes gradually transition from tetra-nuclear square grid-like clusters (5) to di-nuclear structure (1 and 2), and finally to tetra-nuclear chain clusters (3 and 4) with the increase of the alkyl chain of solvent molecules (μ3-OH → CH3OH → C3H7OH). 1 and 4 in the solid-state display the typical emissions of the NdIII ions and YbIII ions in the near-infrared region under visible-light excitation. For 2, more than one distinct relaxation process can be observed with an effective energy barrier ΔE/kB = 21.45 K, which is a typical behavior of single-molecule magnets (Hdc = 1000 Oe). This research shows that the magnetic properties can be modulated by tuning the solvent molecules to regulate the structures of complexes.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of recombinant plectasin (Ple) on the growth performance, intestinal health, and serum immune parameters in broilers. A total of 288 1-day-old male broilers (Arbor Acres) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments including the basal diet (NC) and basal diet supplemented with 10 mg enramycin/kg (PC), 100 mg Ple/kg (LPle), and 200 mg Ple/kg (HPle) diets. The results indicated Ple increased (P

Two new compounds, including one new arylbenzofuran (

Thioredoxins (Trxs) are a family of small and highly conserved proteins which play crucial roles in the maintenance and regulation of the cellular redox homeostasis. In this study, the full-length cDNAs of thioredoxin 1 (TfTrx1) and thioredoxin-related protein of 14 kDa (TfTrp14) were isolated from roughskin sculpin (Trachidermus fasciatus). TfTrx1 is 662 bp in length with a 336-bp open reading frame (ORF) that encodes for a peptide with 111 amino acids, and TfTrp14 consists of 1066 bp with a 372-bp ORF that is translated to 123 amino acids. TfTrx1 and TfTrp14 contain highly conserved catalytic site motif CGPC and CPDC, respectively. Tissue distribution analysis indicated that both genes were broadly expressed in all examined tissues with the highest expression of TfTrx1 in the blood and TfTrp14 in the brain. In post-LPS and heavy metal challenge, the mRNA of both genes was significantly increased in the skin, liver, spleen, and brain at various times. The results of western blot detection displayed that the time of the induced maximum protein expression was 6-h post-LPS injection in the skin and liver, which were slightly delayed compared with that of 2 h at mRNA level. The recombinant TfTrp14 and TfTrx1 proteins were expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3). The increase of the fluorescence intensity in rTfTrx1 and rTfTrp14 suggested the redox state changes in the microenvironment around tryptophan residues. Both of the recombinant proteins exhibited concentration-dependent disulfide reductase activity towards insulin, and the catalytic activity of rTfTrx1 was much higher than that of rTfTrp14.

Six lanthanide-containing complexes, with the structural formula of [Ln 4 (acac) 4 (L) 6 ( μ 3 -OH) 2 ]·m(CH 3 CN) (m= 2 for Ln = Lu ( 1 ); m= 0 for Ln = Eu ( 2 ); m= 1 for Ln = Er ( 3 ); m= 8 for Ln = Yb ( 4 )), [Eu 4 (dbm) 4 (L) 6 ( μ 3 -OH) 2 ]·CH 3 CN ( 5 ) and [Yb 2 (dbm) 4 (L) 2 ]·2CH 3 CN ( 6 ), were obtained and characterized by X-ray single crystal structure determination, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (HL = 5-(2-furanimino)-8-hydroxylquinoline). The solid-state near-infrared fluorescence was also tested. Complex 3 emits characteristic near-infrared luminescence of the corresponding Er 3+ ions when excited by ultraviolet spectrum of 350 nm, which demonstrates the efficient energy transfer from the excited triplet states of the ligands to the central Er 3+ ions.

Two new compounds, including one new arylbenzofuran (1) and one new pterocarpanoid (2), along with nine known ones, were isolated from the seeds of Sophora tonkinensis. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on a comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis. Compounds 2 and 3 exhibited good anti-tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) activities with the protective inhibition rate of 69.62% and 68.72% respectively, at concentration of 100 μg/ml.

Seven undescribed thermopsine-based alkaloids (1-7), including one undescribed biogenetically related intermediate (7), were isolated from the seeds of Thermopsis lanceolata R. Br. Compound 1 possessed a 6/6-6 tricyclic skeleton, while compounds 2-6 represented three rare dimerization patterns constructed by quinolizidine alkaloids. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis as well as ECD calculations. Biologically, compound 6 displayed significant anti-Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) activity compared with the positive control ningnanmycin. Moreover, compound 1 exhibited good insecticidal activity against Aphis fabae with LC

The upsurge of comprehensive automation and digitization in the energy industry is accelerating, while making the energy business management more efficient, it also brings new hidden dangers to network security. The blockchain-based network security mechanism has the characteristics of decentralization, non-tampering, traceability, high credibility and multi-party consensus, and will become an important technical means to improve network security. Aiming at the main network security problems faced by the energy industry, this paper proposes a security protection solution based on blockchain technology from the aspects of identity authentication, data protection and security operation and maintenance, which provides a new technical idea for improving the network security protection ability of the energy industry.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by islet β-cell dysfunction and impaired suppression of glucagon secretion of α-cells in response to oral hyperglycaemia. Bile acid (BA) metabolism plays a dominant role in maintaining glucose homeostasis. So we evaluated the association of fasting serum total bile acids (S-TBAs) with insulin sensitivity, islet β-cell function and glucagon levels in T2D. Total 2,952 T2D patients with fasting S-TBAs in the normal range were recruited and received oral glucose tolerance tests for determination of fasting and postchallenge glucose, C-peptide and glucagon. Fasting and systemic insulin sensitivity were assessed by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and Matsuda index using C-peptide, i.e., ISHOMA-cp and ISIM-cp, respectively. Islet β-cell function was assessed by the insulin-secretion-sensitivity-index-2 using C-peptide (ISSI2cp). The area under the glucagon curve (AUCgla) was used to assess postchallenge glucagon. The results showed ISHOMA-cp, ISIM-cp and ISSI2cp decreased, while AUCgla notably increased, across ascending quartiles of S-TBAs but not fasting glucagon. Moreover, S-TBAs were inversely correlated with ISHOMA-cp, ISIM-cp and ISSI2cp (r = -0.21, -0.15 and -‍0.25, respectively, p < 0.001) and positively correlated with AUCgla (r = 0.32, p < 0.001) but not with fasting glucagon (r = 0.033, p = 0.070). Furthermore, after adjusting for other clinical covariates by multiple linear regression analyses, the S-TBAs were independently associated with ISHOMA-cp (β = -0.04, t = -2.82, p = 0.005), ISIM-cp (β = -0.11, t = -7.05, p < 0.001), ISSI2cp (β = -0.15, t = -10.26, p < 0.001) and AUCgla (β = 0.29, t = 19.08, p < 0.001). Increased fasting S-TBAs are associated with blunted fasting and systemic insulin sensitivity, impaired islet β-cell function and increased glucagon levels in response to glucose challenge in T2D.

Background: The main treatment method of the primary aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is to curettage and bone grafts with high-speed burring, radiotherapy, sclerotherapy, arterial embolism and hormone therapy can be used for the lesions whose location cannot be easily exposed by the surgery. Regardless of the method, high recurrence rates are a common problem. The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the use of titanium elastic nails as a internal fixation in the treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts in children.Methods: Children with histological primary aneurysmal bone cyst were evaluated between 2010 to 2017. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the treatment plan. Patients in the study group operated with curettage and bone grafts with high-speed burring + internal fixation of titanium elastic nails (TEN), and patients in the control group operated with curettage and bone grafts with high-speed burring. The curative effect of the children in the 2 groups were analyzed statistically according to the imaging results (Neer grading) and MSTS functional evaluation.Results: A total of 26 ABC patients (mean 6.5 years at surgery; 21 males;5 female) met the inclusion criteria and were evaluated between 2010 to 2017 after a mean follow-up of 5.2 years (range, 2.5-8.4 years), 16 of which in the study group and 10 in the control group. 9 of the 26 patients recurred (3 cases study group；6 in the control group；). According to the imaging results (Neer grading) and MSTS function evaluation, there was statistically significant difference in the curative effect between the 2 groups (P＜0.05). The recurrence cases in the study group had a better MSTS functioncal recovery.Conclusion: The use of TEN can significantly improve the cure rate, reduce the recurrence rate and improve the quality of life for children with primary aneurysmal bone cyst.

Background The main treatment method of the primary aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) in extremities is to curettage and bone grafts with high-speed burring, radiotherapy, sclerotherapy, arterial embolism and hormone therapy can be used for the lesions whose location cannot be easily exposed by the surgery. Regardless of the method, high recurrence rates are a common problem. Purpose To explore and compare the effect and efficacy of the elastic intramedullary nails in the treatment of primary ABC in extremities. Method 26 patients with primary ABC admitted and treated from 2010 to 2016 were studied retrospectively. 26 patients were divided into 2 groups according to the treatment plan: the patients of the control group received curettage and bone grafts with high-speed burring; the patients of the study group received curettage and bone grafts with high-speed burring + elastic intramedullary nail (ESIN). According to the imaging results (Neer grading) and MSTS(musculoskeletal tumor society)functional evaluation, the curative effect of the children of the 2 groups were analyzed statistically. Results A total of 10 patients of the control group received curettage and bone grafts with high-speed burring and a total of 16 patients of the study group received curettage and bone grafts with high-speed burring + ESIN. All of the patients were followed up for more than 2 years. 9 of the 26 patients recurred. According to the imaging results and MSTS function evaluation, there was statistically significant difference in the curative effect between the 2 groups ( P < 0.05).The recurrence cases in the study group have a better MSTS functioncal recovery. Conclusion Curettage and bone grafts with high-speed burring + ESIN can significantly reduce the recurrence rate of primary ABC in extremities. The using of ESIN has a good curative effect and efficacy.

Seven new anthranilamide derivatives, acoapetalines A-G (1–7), including one new naturally occurring compound (7), together with six known ones (8–13) were isolated from the whole plants of Aconitum apetalum. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses (IR, UV, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR). All compounds were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities. The results showed that compound 10 exhibited significant anti-TMV activity with an inhibition rate of 67.57% (100 μg/mL), which was higher than that of ningnamycin (52.89%).

Performance evaluations of a MW-class dynamic voltage restorer (DVR) system are presented for mitigation of voltage quality disturbances. A presag compensation strategy is introduced to lock the instantaneous magnitudes and phase angles of real-time line voltages, and thus to compensate the improper voltage components exactly after symmetrical or asymmetrical voltage disturbances. A 0.3-H/1.76-kA superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) magnet is used to cooperate with conventional battery energy storage (BES) device for developing a high-performance hybrid energy storage (HES) system. In the SMES-BES HES-based DVR system, the SMES can compensate the worst voltage sag for five cycles (1 MW, 100 ms, and absorb the highest voltage swell for six cycles (1 MW, 120 ms). The accessorial high-capacity BES device is subsequently discharged or charged for lasting long-time mitigation operations. Various simulation cases with regard to combined voltage sag, swell, and harmonic disturbances are carried out. The simulations and comparisons among the SMES-based, BES-based, and HES-based DVR schemes have demonstrated that the HES-based DVR scheme integrates the merits of fast response speed and high-power density from the SMES-based scheme, and the merits of low capital cost and high-energy density from the BES-based scheme.

High-normal thyrotropin (TSH) is related to reduced insulin sensitivity and may contribute to glycemic disorders in diabetes. We investigated the relationship between normal serum TSH levels and glycemic variability in euthyroid type 2 diabetic patients. A total of 432 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients with euthyroid function and normal serum TSH levels were recruited between March 2013 and February 2017. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by the Matsuda index (ISIMatsuda) following a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Multiple glycemic variability indices, including the mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), mean of daily differences (MODD), and standard deviation of glucose (SD), were calculated from glucose data obtained with a continuous glucose monitoring system. Average glucose accessed by 24-h mean glucose (24-h MG) was also calculated. A normal serum TSH level was positively correlated with MAGE, MODD, SD, and 24-h MG (r = 0.206, 0.178, 0.186, and 0.132, respectively, p

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), a common microvascular complication of diabetes, is linked to glycaemic derangements. Glycaemic variability, as a pattern of glycaemic derangements, is a key risk factor for diabetic complications. We investigated the association of glycaemic variability with DPN in a large-scale sample of type 2 diabetic patients. In this cross-sectional study, we enrolled 982 type 2 diabetic patients who were screened for DPN and monitored by a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system between February 2011 and January 2017. Multiple glycaemic variability parameters, including the mean amplitude of glycaemic excursions (MAGE), mean of daily differences (MODD), standard deviation of glucose (SD), and 24-h mean glucose (24-h MG), were calculated from glucose profiles obtained from CGM. Other possible risks for DPN were also examined. Of the recruited type 2 diabetic patients, 20.1% (n = 197) presented with DPN, and these patients also had a higher MAGE, MODD, SD, and 24-h MG than patients without DPN (p

Four novel μ-O bridged dinuclear Dy2 clusters have been synthesized successfully by utilizing an 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) Schiff base ligand and four different co-ligands: [Dy2(bfa)2(L)2(H2O)2]·4CH3OH (1), [Dy2(TTA)2(L)2(H2O)2]·4CH3OH (2), [Dy2(acac)2(L)2(H2O)2]·2H2O (3) and [Dy2(PhCOO)2(L)2(H2O)2] (4) (Hbfa = benzoyl trifluoroacetylacetone, HTTA = thiophene trifluoroacetylacetone, Hacac = acetylacetone, PhCOOH = benzoic acid, H2L = 2-[(4-pyridinebenzoylhydrazone)methyl]-8-hydroxyquinoline). Magnetic studies show that only complex 1 exhibits SMM behavior under a zero dc field with a magnetic relaxation barrier of 68.89 K. When a dc field of 1500 Oe is applied, the value of ΔE/kB increases to 72.63 K. The different dynamic magnetic behaviors of the four Dy2 complexes mainly originate from the tiny changes of the coordination environment and magnetic coupling interaction of the central ions caused by the different co-ligands. Meanwhile, it proves that the co-ligands play an important role in modulating the magnetic properties of Dy-SMMs based on 8-HQ derivatives.

Five lanthanide-containing complexes, featured with the structural formula of [Ln4(L1)4(L)6(μ3-OH)2]·m(CH3CN) and a related binuclear Yb-based complex, were synthesized and structurally characterized (HL = 5-(2-furanimino)-8-hydroxylquinoline; HL1 represents for β-diketone ligand). The solid-state near-infrared fluorescence was also tested. Complex 3 emits characteristic near-infrared luminescence of the corresponding Er3+ ions when excited by ultraviolet spectrum of 350 nm, which demonstrates the efficient energy transfer from the excited triplet states of the ligands to the central Er3+ ions.

Inferior clay rich in CaO and Fe 2 O 3 is a typical clay with huge reserves in southwest of China, which cannot be used in traditional aluminosilicate system ceramics. To efficiently utilize the inferior clay, a method of preparing novel ceramics containing CaO and Fe 2 O 3 was put forward. In this study, effects of inferior clay proportion on properties, CaO on evolution of crystalline phases and Fe 2 O 3 on densification process were analyzed by XRF, XRD, TG-DTA and SEM-EDS combined with physical properties tests. The results showed that addition of inferior clay (from 20 to 70 wt%) significantly affected sintering temperature (from 1190 to 1130 °C). High activity CaO decomposed by carbonate transformed into anorthite and diopside at low temperature. Fe 2 O 3 promoted generation of low-temperature liquid phase, which facilitated densification process. The fired ceramics (60 wt% inferior clay) sintered at 1130 °C exhibited excellent properties with water absorption of 0.05%, linear shrinkage of 6.8% and flexural strength of 70 MPa. This batch was applied into an industrial experiment and 1160 m 2 qualified ceramics (ISO 10545-4:2004) were fabricated.

Numerous studies have reported associations between particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters of ≤2.5 μm (PMSystematic searches were conducted in 6 common English and Chinese electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Ovid, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure [CNKI]). A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) to evaluate the relationship between PMThe search yielded 18 studies suitable for meta-analysis during the period from Jan 1, 2010 to Dec 31, 2018. A 10-μg/m³ increase in PMPM

Serum complement C3 has been shown to contribute to the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D), but how serum complement C3 affects islet β-cell function throughout the course of T2D is unclear. This study explored whether serum complement C3 is independently associated with changes in islet β-cell function over time in patients with T2D. Serum complement C3 was measured, and endogenous β-cell function was evaluated by area under the C-peptide curve (AUCcp) during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in 411 patients with T2D at baseline from 2011 to 2015. Next, 347 of those patients with available data were pooled for a final follow-up analysis from 2014 to 2018. Changes in islet β-cell function at follow-up were evaluated by AUCcp percentage changes (ΔAUCcp%). In addition, other possible clinical risks for diabetes were also examined. The 347 patients included in the analysis had a diabetes duration of 4.84 ± 3.63 years at baseline. Baseline serum complement C3 (baseline C3) levels were positively correlated with baseline natural logarithm of AUCcp (lnAUCcp) (n = 347, r = 0.288, p

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptor (PTHR) is a medically important family B G Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) that primarily couples to Gs/cAMP and Gq/Ca2+ signaling pathways and has a central role in regulating Ca2+ homeostasis and bone turnover. PTHR is activated by two endogenous hormones, endocrine PTH and paracrine PTH related protein (PTHrP), but only PTH mediates prolonged activation of the receptor and sustained cAMP responses after receptor internalization to the endosomes. To investigate the structural basis of prolonged activation of PTHR, we employed cryo-EM and solved the high resolution (3Å) structure of PTHR coupled to Gs and activated by long-acting PTH (LA-PTH), an analog of PTH that remarkably sustains endosomal PTHR signaling and induces significantly prolonged elevation in blood calcium in mice and monkeys. LA-PTH binds the receptor as a single extended α-helix with its N-terminus inserted deep into the transmembrane domain (TMD) of the receptor, while positioning the extracellular domain (ECD) of PTHR perpendicular to the cell membrane. The receptor activating N-terminal half of LA-PTH forms a dense network of hydrophobic and polar interactions with receptor’s TMD resulting in a tight binding and giving structural basis for remarkably sustained activation of PTHR by LA-PTH. Binding of LA-PTH activates the receptor by inducing partial unwinding of the C-terminus of transmembrane helix 6 (TM6) and a sharp kink at the middle of this helix, a hallmark of family B GPCR activation. This results in a pronounced outward movement of TM6, opening the cytosolic cavity of the receptor, which allows subsequent G protein coupling. Additionally, our cryo-EM data revealed structural dynamics of PTHR demonstrated by the ability of receptor ECD to adopt multiple conformational states. Together, these results reveal the structural determinants of PTHR signaling and provide a molecular framework for structure-based design of novel therapeutics for osteoporosis and hypocalcaemia treatment.

In this study, the effect of mechanical soft reduction on carbon segregation in the continuous casting of 300 × 400 mm 42CrMo alloy structural steel blooms was comparatively investigated by adjusting the casting speed, which was systematically optimized through numerical simulation. When the casting speed is 0.60 m · min−1, during the soft reduction process, the central solidification structure of the bloom becomes dense, and carbon segregation is improved. Moreover, the distribution of carbon in the samples before and after rolling was analyzed. Combined with the soft reduction process, the uniformity of carbon across the cross section of the bloom /bar distinctly improved for casting speeds of 0.50 m · min−1, 0.55 m · min−1 and 0.60 m · min−1, this was predominantly reflected in the core areas. The effective segregation length proportion of the bloom and rolled bar is approximately 40%. This phenomenon fully verifies the heredity characteristics of the elements in the rolling process.

The strategy that replacing part of MnS with BN was proposed in order to decrease the sulfur content in sulfur based free-cutting steel. The effects of BN and MnS inclusions on the microstructure and machinability of the steel were systematically investigated. The results show that most of the BN and MnS inclusions exist individually in the steel and only a small amount of them are in a composite state forming either isolated particles or clusters of particles. In the case of multi-phased steel, the theoretical calculation predicts that the volume of large BN particles should be 0.7 times of the volume of large MnS particles. The machinability of this type of BN and MnS alloy steel over a wide range of cutting speeds ranging from a low speed appropriate for drilling to a high speed appropriate for turning is confirmed as being equal to or superior to that of an MnS reference steel, even though the sulfur content in the composite steel is only half that of the MnS steel. The aptitude for cutting effect of 240 ppm nitrogen and 115 ppm boron in the composite steel is demonstrated to be equivalent or even better than 1000 ppm sulfur in MnS free-cutting steel.

In view of the present problem of sulfur enrichment in the metallurgical recycling process of ladle furnace (LF) refining slag, a simple and efficient method of removing sulfur from this slag was proposed. The proposed method is compatible with current steelmaking processes. Sulfur removal from LF refining slag for SPHC steel (manufactured at a certain steel plant in China) by blowing air in the hot state was studied by using hot-state experiments in a laboratory. The FactSage software, a carbon/sulfur analyzer, and scanning electron microscopy in conjunction with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to test and analyze the sulfur removal effect and to investigate factors influencing sulfur removal rate. The results show that sulfur ions in LF refining slag can be oxidized into SO2 by O2 at high temperature by blowing air into molten slag; SO2 production was observed to reach a maximum with a small amount of blown O2 when the temperature exceeded 1350°C. At 1370°C and 1400°C, experimental LF refining slag is in the liquid state and exhibits good fluidity; under these conditions, the sulfur removal effect by blowing air is greater than 90wt% after 60 min. High temperature and large air flow rate are beneficial for removing sulfur from LF refining slag; compared with air flow rate, temperature has a greater strongly influences on the sulfur removal.

Low residual-free-oxygen before final de-oxidation was beneficial to improving the cleanness of ultra-low-carbon steel. For ultra-low-carbon steel production, the coordinated control of carbon and oxygen is a precondition for achieving low residual oxygen during the Ruhrstahl Heraeus (RH) decarburization process. In this work, we studied the coordinated control of carbon and oxygen for ultra-low-carbon steel during the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) endpoint and RH process using data statistics, multiple linear regressions, and thermodynamics computations. The results showed that the aluminum yield decreased linearly with increasing residual oxygen in liquid steel. When the mass ratio of free oxygen and carbon ([O]/[C]) in liquid steel before RH decarburization was maintained between 1.5 and 2.0 and the carbon range was from 0.030wt% to 0.040wt%, the residual oxygen after RH natural decarburization was low and easily controlled. To satisfy the requirement for RH decarburization, the carbon and free oxygen at the BOF endpoint should be controlled to be between 297 × 10-6 and 400 × 10-6 and between 574 × 10-6 and 775 × 10-6, respectively, with a temperature of 1695 to 1715°C and a furnace campaign of 1000 to 5000 heats.

A bacterial strain, designated SYD6T, was isolated from a marine solar saltern on the coast of Weihai, Shandong Province, PR China. Cells of strain SYD6Twere rod-shaped, red, and approximately 5.0–9.0 μm in length and 0.4–0.6 μm in width. The strain was Gram-stain-negative, facultatively anaerobic, heterotrophic, catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. Growth occurred in 4–25 % (w/v) NaCl [with 2–15 % (w/v) MgCl2.6H2O also present], at 20–50 °C and pH 6.5–8.5. Optimal growth was observed at 37–42 °C, pH 7.5–8.0, with 6–8 % (w/v) NaCl [with 2–4 % (w/v) MgCl2.6H2O]. Nitrate was not reduced. Glucose, sucrose, maltose, fructose and ribose stimulated growth, but not glycerol, xylose or mannitol. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 61.5 mol% (HPLC). The sole methyl naphthoquinone was MK-7 and the predominant cellular fatty acids (>10 %) were iso-C15 : 02-OH/C16 : 1ω7c, iso-C16 : 0, C18 : 1ω7c/C18 : 1ω6cand C18 : 1ω7c. The predominant polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unknown lipid. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, demonstrated that strain SYD6Twas affiliated with the phylumBacteroidetes. The most closely related neighbours were species of the genusSalisaetaand strain SYD6Thad a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 91.97 % withSalisaeta longaDSM 21114T. On the basis of these phenotypic and phylogenetic data, strain SYD6Trepresents a novel species of a new genus of the familyRhodothermaceae, for which the nameLongimonas halophilagen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the type species is SYD6T( = CICC 10838T = KCTC 42399T).

A novel Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, gliding, facultatively anaerobic, oxidase-negative and catalase-positive bacterium, designated FA350T, was isolated from coastal sediment from Xiaoshi Island, Weihai, China. Strain FA350T showed growth on modified nutrient agar supplemented with 0.1 % d-(+)-trehalose and with distilled water replaced by seawater. Optimal growth occurred at 33 °C and pH 8.5 with 4 % NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain FA350T belongs to a novel bacterial order in the class Deltaproteobacteria , and the most closely related type strains belong to the order Desulfuromonadales , with 85.1–85.6 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. The polar lipid profile of the novel strain consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol and two unknown phospholipids. Major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω10c and menaquinone MK-7 was the sole respiratory quinone. The DNA G+C content of strain FA350T was 60.3 mol%. The isolate and closely related environmental clones formed a novel order-level clade in the class Deltaproteobacteria . Comparative analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences and characterization indicated that strain FA350T may represent a novel order of the Deltaproteobacteria . Here, we propose the name Bradymonas sediminis gen. nov., sp. nov. to accommodate strain FA350T. The type strain of Bradymonas sediminis is FA350T ( = DSM 28820T = CICC 10904T); Bradymonadales ord. nov. and Bradymonadaceae fam. nov. are also proposed to accommodate the novel taxon.

Remote sensing image interpretation is one of the commonly methods to extract saline-alkali land. But it can only extract saline-alkali land of unused land, can not divide the types of slightly saline-alkali land, moderately saline-alkali land and severely saline-alkali land. On the basis of remote sensing image interpretation of 2010, the paper calculated the relationship between saline-alkali land degrees and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), elevation, soil type, groundwater, river, urban expansion. Use AHP and Delphi to assign weights, calculate values, and overlay the layers, then concluded the degrees of saline-alkali land.

In this paper, using sliding mesh model, the numerical simulation of small vertical axis wind turbine aerodynamic performance was studied with FLUENT software. Got change rule of four same thickness and different camber‘s NACA series asymmetrical airfoil moment coefficient of the wind turbine and wind power machine with the tip speed ratio. Wind turbine benchmark blade around the flow field was studied. Research shows that within a certain range, small vertical axis wind turbine aerodynamic performance be promoted if the airfoil relative thickness increases. In the case of large attack angle, the wind turbine blade is easy to be separated. It provides a theoretical reference for optimal design of a small vertical axis wind turbine.

Steel slag, an industrial waste discharged from steelmaking process, cannot be extensively used in traditional aluminosilicate based ceramics manufacturing for its high content of calcium oxide. In order to efficiently utilize such solid waste, a method of preparing ceramics with high CaO content was put forward. In this paper, steel slag in combination with quartz, talcum, clay and feldspar was converted to a novel ceramic by traditional ceramic process. The sintering mechanism, microstructure and performances were studied by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques, combined experimenting of linear shrinkage, water absorption and flexural strength. The results revealed that all crystal phases in the novel ceramic were pyroxene group minerals, including diopsite ferrian, augite and diopsite. Almost all raw materials including quartz joined the reaction and transformed into pyroxene or glass phase in the sintering process, and different kinds of clays and feldspars had no impact on the final crystal phases. Flexural strength of the ceramic containing 40 wt.% steel slag in raw materials can reach 143 MPa at sintering temperature of 1210 °C and its corresponding water absorption, weight loss, linear shrinkage were 0.02%, 8.8%, 6.0% respectively. Pyroxene group minerals in ceramics would contribute to the excellent physical and mechanical properties.

Background Reduced insulin sensitivity not only contributes to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes but is also linked to multiple metabolic risk factors and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). A prolonged heart rate-corrected QT interval (QTc interval) is related to ventricular arrhythmias and CVD mortality and exhibits a high prevalence among type 2 diabetes patients. The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between insulin sensitivity and the QTc interval in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods This cross-sectional observational study recruited 2927 patients with type 2 diabetes who visited the Affiliated Haian Hospital and Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University. The insulin sensitivity index (Matsuda index, ISIMatsuda) derived from 75-g OGTT and other metabolic risk factors were examined in all patients. The QTc interval was estimated using a resting 12-lead electrocardiogram, and an interval longer than 440 ms was considered abnormally prolonged. Results The QTc interval was significantly and negatively correlated with the ISIMatsuda (r = −0.296, p

1-Butyl-3-[(3-trimethoxysilyl)propyl]imidazolium chloride ionic liquid was synthesized and chemically modified onto the inner wall of a fused capillary column as a stationary phase for gas chromatography. The 1-butyl-3-[(3-trimethoxysilyl)propyl]imidazolium chloride ionic liquid bonded capillary column was evaluated in detail. The results revealed that the ionic liquid bonded capillary column exhibited high column efficiency of 1.08 × 104 plates/m, and good chromatographic separation selectivity (α) for polar and non-polar substances, and a good thermal stability between room temperature and 400°C. Moreover, the determination of thermodynamic parameters and the linear solvation energy relationship were further carried out. The results indicated that the chromatographic retention of each probe molecule on the ionic liquid bonded stationary phase was an enthalpy-driven process, and the system constants of the linear solvation energy relationship signified that the dispersion interaction, the hydrogen bonding acidity and hydrogen bonding basicity were dominant interactions between probes and stationary phase among five interactions during the chromatographic separation. However, the contribution of each specific interaction for the stationary phase is ranked as the dispersion interaction > the hydrogen bonding basicity > the hydrogen bonding acidity.

The spring steel 55SiCrA produced in a domestic steel factory is deoxidized by Si with “100 t EAF-LF-VD-CC”. The fluoric content (CaF2 = 17.41–22.15%) and the binary basicity (R = 1.9–3.0) of applied LF refining slag are high. To avoid environmental pollution caused by fluorine, meanwhile guarantee the speed of melting slag and smelting effect on molten steel, the structure of refining slag was adjusted. A new fluorine-free slag system was obtained by changing slagging process, adjusting adding amounts of slag-making materials, such as lime, calcium carbide, silicon carbide and so on. This new fluorine-free slag was applied in industrial tests. The results showed that this new fluorine-free slag could meet smelting demands well. The average mass fraction of oxygen content of spring steel 55SiCrA billets could decreased from 11 × 10−6 to 9 × 10−6 and the plasticity of inclusions also changed better. All compositions of observed inclusion in billets were within the 1400 °C liquidus in Al2O3-SiO2-CaO-MgO-MnO phase diagram.