Search

Photonic materials that enable visual detection of chemicals have shown great potential for wide applications in chemical, environmental, biotechnological, and food industries, but until now, using hydrophilic photonic materials for tracing water-soluble chemicals remains a major challenge due to the strong water interference. Here, we demonstrate a two-step co-assembly and subsequent surface coating strategy to develop an ethanol-sensitive and anti-water interference photonic crystal film. By using citric acid as a co-assembly phase, high ethanol sensing is realized because of the strong intermolecular affinity. By controlling the thickness of the outer polyvinyl butyral layer, selective ethanol penetration but a water barrier is enabled. Notably, the composite photonic films are free-standing, highly flexible, and controllably structurally colored. We further present using the composite film to quantitatively trace ethanol/water mixtures and potentially track drunk driving as a colorimetric sensor. The heuristic two-step modification strategy proposed in this work not only overcomes the limitation of water interference for hydrophilic colorimetric sensors but also provides references to develop more new photonic materials with water resistance that need to be applied in water/humid environments.

Pollen longevity is critical for plant pollination and hybrid seed production, but few studies have focused on pollen longevity. In this study, we identified an Arabidopsis thaliana gene, Protein associated with lipid droplets (PALD), which is strongly expressed in pollen and critical for the regulation of pollen longevity. PALD was expressed specifically in mature pollen grains and the pollen tube, and its expression was upregulated under dry conditions. PALD encoded a lipid droplet (LD)-associated protein and its N terminus was critical for the LD localization of PALD. The number of LDs and diameter were reduced in pollen grains of the loss-of-function PALD mutants. The viability and germination of the mature pollen grains of the pald mutants were comparable with those of the wild-type, but after the pollen grains were stored under dry conditions, pollen germination and male transmission of the mutant were compromised compared with those of the wild-type. Our study suggests that PALD was required for the maintenance of LD quality in mature pollen grains and regulation of pollen longevity.

Grouvellinus huaxiensis sp. nov. was collected from Huaxi river in an urban setting of Guiyang (Guizhou, China) in 2021. Habitus and diagnostic features of the new species are described and illustrated herein. The new discovery reflects that the water quality and ecological stability of urban rivers is not necessarily in conflict with anthropogenic activities in the surrounding, which also provides us new insights into the protection of urban freshwater ecosystems.

Huang, Xiu-Dong, Chen, Xiang-Sheng, Yang, Lin, Long, Jian-Kun (2022): Gigasanalis, a new genus of the tribe Achilini with the description of a new species from China (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Achilidae). European Journal of Taxonomy 852 (1): 85-97, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.852.2013, URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2022.852.2013

Key to genera of the subtribe Achilina Stål, 1866 (based on Guglielmino et al. 2010) 1. Pronotum anterior margin of disk roundly concave. Stem MP forked in front of claval apex. Tegmen with wavy branches of MP and CuA........................................ Gigasanalis Long & Chen gen. nov. – Pronotum anterior margin of convex. Stem MP forked apicad of claval apex. Tegmen with not wavy branches of MP and CuA.................................................................................................................. 2 2. Upper part of frons distinctly concave. Sides of frons subparallel. All veins of pterostigma directed anterodistally........................................................... Ouwea Distant, 1907 (= Spendon Jacobi, 1928) – Upper part of frons shallowly tectiform. Sides of frons divergent downwards to clypeus. Proximal veins of pterostigma (one or two) directed transversally.................................................................. 3 3. Penultimate segment of rostrum reaching fore margins of hind coxae. Branches of MP and CuA 1 of fore wings without anastomosis.......................................................................... Achilus Kirby, 1818 – Penultimate segment of rostrum reaching hind margins of hind coxae. Branches of MP and CuA 1 of fore wings with anastomosis......................... Olmiana Guglielmino, Bückle & Emeljanov, 2010, Published as part of Huang, Xiu-Dong, Chen, Xiang-Sheng, Yang, Lin & Long, Jian-Kun, 2022, Gigasanalis, a new genus of the tribe Achilini with the description of a new species from China (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Achilidae), pp. 85-97 in European Journal of Taxonomy 852 (1) on page 87, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.852.2013, http://zenodo.org/record/7471123, {"references":["Guglielmino A., Buckle C. & Emeljanov A. F. 2010. Olmiana argentina, a new genus and species of Achilidae (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha) from Argentina. Zootaxa 2661 (1): 47 - 58. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 2661.1.3"]}

Gigasanalis jianfenglingensis Long & Chen sp. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 063141DE-7F55-4EF6-9BDD-6DE7ADA48D16 Figs 1–21 Diagnosis The salient features of this new species following: 1) aedeagus with phallobase bilaterally symmetrical, dorsal periandrial lobe shovel-shaped with apex broadly concave (Fig. 14); 2) each paired inner penis rod with apex rod like and with three dorsal spines located at subapical (Figs 14–16); 3) anal segment in dorsal view (Fig. 10) approximatively oblong-shaped, epiproct distinctly exceeding apical margin of anal segment, anal style with slightly exceeding apical margin of epiproct; 4) genital style with lobes tortuous and irregular, apical margin almost rounded (Figs 11–13). Etymology The species name refers to the type locality, Jianfengling National Natural Reserve, Hainan Province, China. Type material Holotype CHINA • ♂; Hainan Province, Jianfengling National Natural Reserve; 18°43′ N, 108°52′ E; 23 Apr. 2014; H.-Y. Sun leg.; sweeping; IEGU. Paratypes CHINA • 1 ♂, 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; 22 Apr. 2014; F.-L. Xu leg.; sweeping; IEGU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; 22 Apr. 2014; J.-K. Long leg.; light trap; IEGU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; W.-C. Yang leg.; IEGU • 1 ♀; same collection data as for holotype; 22 Apr. 2017; Y.-S. Ding leg.; IEGU. Description SIZE. Body length (from apex of vertex to fore wing apex): male 10.0– 10.3 mm (n = 2), female 10.6– 11.6 mm (n = 4); fore wing length: male 8.8–8.9 mm (n = 2), female 9.4–10.1 mm (n = 4). COLORATION. Yellowish white to dark brown (Figs 1–4). Vertex yellowish brown (Figs 1, 3, 5). Frons brown, area along lateral margin with a broad longitudinal yellowish white stripe from upper margin to below level of antennae (Fig. 7). Clypeus, rostrum and antennae brown. Genae yellowish white with area beneath antennae brown (Figs 2, 4, 6). Eyes and ocellus generally reddish brown (Fig. 6). Pronotum with area between lateral carinae (containing median and lateral carinae) dark brown, lateral lobes yellowish white, and ventral lobes brown (Figs 1–7). Mesonotum and tegula yellowish white (Figs 1, 3, 5). Fore wing dark brown to yellowish white, area at base yellowish white, costal margin with one small sharp triangle yellowish white marking and one large yellowish white stripe, and with another large triangle yellowish white marking at costal cell, area from base of postcostal cell to radial cell, median cell and base of C5 with numerous, small, yellowish white spots, main veins brown with branches pale brown to reddish brown, and short cross veins yellow to yellowish brown (Figs 1–4, 8). Hind wing pale brown, veins brown (Fig. 9). Legs and abdomen brown to dark brown. HEAD. Vertex: A/B = 2.3. Frons: C/D = 1.2; D/E = 1.3; F/C = 0.6. Rostrum: G/H = 0.6. THORAX. Pronotum: I/B = 0.9. Mesonotum: J/I = 5.1; J/B+I = 2.5. Fore wing: K/L = 2.3. Hind wing: M/N = 1.6. MALE TERMINALIA. Pygofer in lateral view (Fig. 11) with posterior margin broadly convex in the middle, medioventral process (Fig. 12) with apical ½ divided into two large branches, each with apical margin roundly convex. Aedeagus with phallobase bilaterally symmetrical (Figs 14, 16), dorsal periandrial lobe shovel-shaped with apex broadly concave (Fig. 14); lateral periandrial lobe in lateral view (Fig. 15) large finger-like with apical margin roundly convex; ventral periandrial lobe in ventral view (Fig. 16) with basal ⅓ neck-shaped, apical ⅔ subquadrangular with two basal horn-shaped processes large, directed laterally, with two apical horn-shaped processes small and acuate, directed apically. Dorsobasal suspensorium broad and flaky (Figs 14, 16). Each paired inner penis rod with apex rod like and with three dorsal spines located at subapical (Figs 14–16). Connective with basal ⅓ relatively stout and apical ⅔ finger-like (Fig. 15). Anal segment in dorsal view (Fig. 10) approximatively oblong-shaped, with ratio of length to maximum width 1.6, with basal margin with a reentrant angle of about 90 degrees in midline, epiproct tongue-shaped, distinctly exceeding apical margin of anal segment, anal style with apical margin broadly convex and slightly exceeding apical margin of epiproct; in lateral view (Fig. 11) anal segment with ventral margin with two dumpy processes, apical margin subtruncate, anal style approximatively banana-shaped, hanging at the apex of anal segment ventrad, with length nearly as long as anal segment. Genital style with lobes tortuous and irregular, apical margin almost rounded (Figs 11–13). FEMALE TERMINALIA. Sternite VII with posterior margin distinctly concave as U-shaped, anterior margin obtuse angle-shaped producing basad (Fig. 17). Anal segment (Figs 18–19) in dorsal view suborbicular, basal margin broadly concave, apical margin incised in the middle; epiproct with apical margin incised in the middle, exceeding apex of anal segment; anal style with apical margin roundly convex and distinctly exceeding apical margin of epiproct. Gonapophysis VIII with spines at the outer and inner lateral margins respectively 4 and 1 (Fig. 20). Gonapophysis IX with two lateral lobes incompletely symmetrical, narrowing and sharp apically (Fig. 21). Sternite IX with outer surface shagreen (Figs 17, 19), in lateral view (Fig. 19) apical margin roundly convex, with an angulate process ventrally, directed inwards. Distribution and habitat Jianfengling National Natural Reserve, Hainan Province, China; so far only known from the type locality in the central part of the protection zone. The type series was collected in primitive forest, in the of 2014 April.

Genus Gigasanalis Long & Chen gen. nov. urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: D1D8B477-0301-4617-BEF1-7017E32BD4A1 Type species Gigasanalis jianfenglingensis Long & Chen gen. et sp. nov., here designated. Diagnosis The new genus differs from other taxa of Achilina Stål, 1866 by the following characters: 1) the genus is readily distinguished from other known genera in the tribe Achilini by disc of pronotum with anterior margin roundly concave; 2) stem MP forked in front of claval apex (Stem MP forked apicad of claval apex in Achilus Kirby, 1818, Olmiana Guglielmino, Bückle & Emeljanov, 2010 and Ouwea Distant, 1907); 3) tegmen with wavy branches of MP and CuA. Etymology The genus name, which is masculine, is a combination of ‘gigas’ and ‘analis’, indicates the new genus has a large anal segment in Achilini. Description HEAD. Width of head with eyes less than ⅔ of width of pronotum. Vertex flat, the anterior margins obvious, posterior margins carinate, lateral carina present and straight, median carina stronger and thicker (Fig. 5). Frons median carina in lateral view (Fig. 6), upper margin subtruncate, median carina complete, lateral margins carinate, sinuously diverging to below level of antennae thence gradually incurved to suture (Fig. 7). Clypeus with median carina weak, surface concave, fronto-clypeal cuneate, posterior margin at border of lora is strengthened, converging and not passing to clypeus, but lora and clypeus not fused (Fig. 7). Rostrum long, just exceeding metacoxae, with apical segment shorter than subapical segment, about 0.6× as long as subapical segment. Antenna setaceous, scapus short, pedicel truncately subglobose, flagellum degradation or absent (Fig. 6). Ocelli separated from eyes (Fig. 5). Pronotum slightly shielding eyes in dorsal view (Fig. 5). THORAX. Pronotum in mid line shorter than vertex; anterior margin of disk roundly concave, posterior margin elevated, with an incision angle of 145 degrees, median carina distinct, lateral carinae roundly convex towards eyes, not reaching hind margin; anterior margin of pronotal disc is placed between compound eyes at about half (Fig. 5). Mesonotum with scutellum nearly diamond, median area flat, lateral sections slope down, three carinae weak, median and lateral carinae nearly parallel, lateral carinae reaching posterior margin, median carina passing to mesoscutellum, mesoscutellum with transverse stripes (Fig. 5). WINGS. Fore wing with costal margin slightly convex; apical margin roundly convex; posterior margin with an angle of 155 degrees at apex of clavus; postcostal cell with one crossvein slightly basad of ScP+R forking; costal field with bent recurrent secondary veins; longitudinal veins ScP+R and MP arising as short common stem from basal cell, about ⅓ of length of ScP+R; stem ScP+R approximately 2/5 of length of tegmina (Fig. 8). Vein ScP+RA with fork clearly before RP fork, ending on costal margin with 7–8 terminals; vein RP with fork plainly after MP fork, ending on costal margin with 5–6 terminals; vein MP with fork plainly after CuA fork, before apex of clavus, with 6–7 terminals; veins MP and CuA with wavy branches, cell C4 with many cross veins; CuA with the first fork distinctly before ScP+RA fork, with 2–3 terminals; clavus terminating at middle of forewing, Pcu with 2–3 false transverse veins (Fig. 8). Hind wing with simple ScP+RA, reaching margin based of apex, branch RP vein with 1–2 terminals, stem MP with 2 terminals (MP 1+2 and MP 3+4 not branched), vein CuA with 4 terminals, vein A2 with blind branches (Fig. 9). LEGS. Post-tibiae with a lateral spine at basal 2/5. Metatibia with 7–8 apical teeth, rightmost apical teeth obviously larger, arrangement in slanting; basimetatarsomere with row of 13 apical teeth, each tooth with platellae except for marginal ones; midmetatarsomere with 14–15 apical teeth, arrangement in arcuate, each tooth with platellae except for marginal ones, internal spines; metatibio-tarsal formula 7(8)–13–14(15) (Figs 22–23). MALE TERMINALIA. Pygofer in lateral view with dorsal margin distinctly shorter than ventral margin (Fig. 11), ventral view with median bifurcate process (Fig. 12). Aedeagal complex distally with a sheathshaped 4-lobate periandrial part and a rather elongate basal part – mainly formed by the inner penis. Periaodrium distally with paired lateral lobes, ventral lobes and dorsally with an unpaired, base half connected together, protruding cephalad into body cavity (Figs 14–16). Genital lamina obsolete (Fig. 15). Sheath developed, arm-shaped, with apical ⅓ dorsally bent, then with apex directed basally (Fig. 15). Inner penis rods reflexed and elongate, basally fused, distally rod-like, devoid of lateral branches. Anal segment relatively larger in dorsal view; anal style tongue-shaped, wide, bristles vestigial or absent, distinctly covering abdominal end (Fig. 10). Genital style with two tortuous ear-like processes rising from apical third (Fig. 13). Phallobasal conjunctival processes bilaterally symmetrical, exceeding apical margin of phallobase (Figs 12–13). Connective relatively stout and short (Fig. 15). Host plant Unknown. Diversity and distribution The genus is monotypic and contains a single species from South China (Hainan Province) (Fig. 24)., Published as part of Huang, Xiu-Dong, Chen, Xiang-Sheng, Yang, Lin & Long, Jian-Kun, 2022, Gigasanalis, a new genus of the tribe Achilini with the description of a new species from China (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha, Achilidae), pp. 85-97 in European Journal of Taxonomy 852 (1) on pages 87-88, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2022.852.2013, http://zenodo.org/record/7471123, {"references":["Guglielmino A., Buckle C. & Emeljanov A. F. 2010. Olmiana argentina, a new genus and species of Achilidae (Hemiptera, Fulgoromorpha) from Argentina. Zootaxa 2661 (1): 47 - 58. https: // doi. org / 10.11646 / zootaxa. 2661.1.3"]}

Synchroa chinensis Nikitsky, 1999 Synchroa chinensis Nikitsky, 1999: 478–479, figs 6–8. Type locality: China, Sichuan, Qingchengshan. Distribution: China: Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu, Guizhou (new distributional record). Specimens examined. Larvae (4 ex), pupae (2 ex), adults (8 ex, 2♂♂, 4♀♀ ). 2 larvae, 1 pupa, 3 adults (1♂, 2♀♀), labeled ‘ China: Guizhou, Guiyang City (aeffi市), Huaxi District (AE Ḿ区), Shilihetan (十m河Ḃ), 05.III.2022, H: 1100 m, Ri-Xin Jiang leg.’ (GUGC); additional label of pupa: 1ex, labeled ‘ 31.III.2022 pupated’; additional label of adults: 2 ex (1 ♂, 1♀), labeled ‘ 31.III.2022 pupated, 08.IV.2022 enclosed adult’; 1 ex (1♀), labeled ‘ 05.IV.2011 pupated, 12.IV.2022 enclosed adult’. 2 larvae, 1 pupa, 5 adults (1♂, 4♀♀), labeled ‘ China: Guizhou, Guiyang City (aeffi市), Huaxi District (AE Ḿ区), Huaxi Park (AE Ḿ公园), 12.IV.2022, H: 1060 m, Ri-Xin Jiang & Xiu-Dong Huang leg.’ (GUGC); additional label of pupa: 1 ex, labeled ‘ 16.IV.2022 pupated’; additional label of adults: 3 ex (1♂, 2ff #), labeled ‘ 18.IV.2022 pupated, 23.IV.2022 enclosed adult’; 2 ex (2ff #) labeled ’ 20.IV.2022 pupated, 27.IV.2022 enclosed adult’. Descriptions Larva (mature stage). Body (Fig. 1) elongate and nearly parallel-side, light brown both dorsally and ventrally, with antennae, labrum, clypeus, mandibles and urogomphi dark brown. Integument covered with scattered fine setae. Head. (Figs 2A–C). Weakly prognathous, posterior edge of head capsule slightly emarginate; widest near basal 1/3 and weakly constricted anterior to occipital foramen, slightly narrower than prothorax; lateral sides rounded. Upper and lower surfaces of head shiny, dorsal surface modified with thin crease at anterior 1/3. Epicranial stem short; frontal arms U-shaped, about 2/3 length of head capsule, apical half sinuous and meeting a pair of dark brown spots; inner part of frontal arms with a pair of medium-length setae at middle. Frons smooth; epicranial plates light brown, surface smooth and modified with thin and shallow crease, and with sparse short and few long erect setae; lateral portion with both short and long erect setae, denser than dorsal part; ventral portion with several long erect setae and sparse short setae. Each side with five stemmata, anterior three located near antennal base. Frontoclypeal suture absent; clypeus dark brown, transverse, surface shiny with thin crease, and three pairs of long erect setae, the setae usually symmetrically distributed but asymmetrically in some specimens, apical margin weakly curved. Labrum (Fig. 3A) free, transverse, widest at middle; dorsal surface of labrum smooth; disc with three pairs of long erect setae; apical margin rounded protruded at middle, with three short setae, side parts with round margins, covered with several pairs of different length erect setae; lateral margins finely curved; ventral surface with a pair of medial spines; four pairs of sensory papillae symmetrically located (Fig. 3B) near medial spines; each side of apical margin with three short anterior spines. Antenna (Fig. 2F) 3-segmented; antennomere I shorter than antennomeres II and III, widest, narrower from base to apex; antennomere II and III about same in length; antennomere III with two sensoria, the larger one about half length of antennomere III, palpiform; another one much shorter than antennomere III, conical. Mandibles (Figs 2D & E) strong and simple, asymmetrical, broad at base and narrowing to apex; broadbased prostheca strong, anterior part distinctly projecting from left mandible, short and rounded on right mandible. Ventral mouthparts (Figs 3C & D) retracted; cardo transverse, divided by internal ridge; stipes distinctly longer than wide, disc with sparse setae of different lengths; apical and inner sides of mala setose, apical angle with several distinct unci. Maxillary palp 3-segmented, palpomere I longest, covered with several setae of different lengths; palpomere II and III about the same length, palpomere II with several setae near apex, palpomere III without setae and narrowing from base to apex, apically rounded. Submentum nearly trapezoidal, finely narrowed at middle. Mentum trapezoidal, widest at base, disc with a pair of long setae. Prementum nearly triangular, with a pair of long setae on disc, apex rounded; apical sclerome molar-like. Thorax. Thoracic tergite transverse, pronotum longer than meso- and metanotum combined, light brown, surface shiny and modified with thin crease, disc with sparse short setae, laterally with long erect setae. Meso- and metanotum with patches of asperities, separated by median line, completely separated on mesonotum and apically confused on metanotum. Presternum well defined, short and near fusiform, basal margin rounded, disc with a pair of erect setae of medium length. Spiracles oval, prothorax and metathorax without spiracles. Coxal cavities widely separate. Legs. (Figs 4A–C). Legs well developed, 5-segmented. Surface covered with dense setae of different lengths; setae on anterior part much shorter on average than on posterior part. Posterior parts of meso- and metacoxa, trochanter and femur covered with dense asperities associated with each seta. Abdomen. Abdomen about three times as long as thorax. Tergites I–V covered with patches of asperities, separated by median line and confused near apex in tergites I–IV, not confused in tergite V. Other tergites and all sternites without asperities, covered with sparse setae of medium length. Sternite IX with a pair of small but well developed projections at base. Urogomphi simple, distinctly acute in lateral view, without spiracles. Measurements (in mm; n = 4): HL: 1.81–2.07; HW: 2.85–3.10; PL: 1.97–2.17; PW: 3.06–3.39; MSL: 0.55– 0.67; MSW: 3.01–3.30; MTL: 0.91–1.08; MTW: 2.90–3.10; AT9L: 1.59–1.90; AT9W: 1.78–2.11. Pupa (midterm development). Body (Figs 5A–C) mainly creamy-yellowish, dark brown at apices of mandible and urogomphi; eye, antenna and apical half of elytra brown. Dorsum slightly convex, sides subparallel to segment VII of abdomen. Head. Head hypognathous (Figs 5A–C, 6B), hidden from dorsal view. Dorsal surface smooth and modified with transverse crease and sparse granules, bearing setae of different lengths. Frons and vertex covered with sparse granules bearing long erect setae, setae on other parts much shorter. Apical margin of clypeus straight, surface with 9 granules bearing short setae. Labrum nearly trapezoidal, with apical margin straight, surface covered with dense short and thin setae. Each eye large, oval, brown. Antenna long and thick, antennomeres II–XI apically circled with small granules, without setae. Thorax. Pronotum (Figs 5A–C, 6B) transverse, surface smooth, disc modified with transverse crease, and sparse granules bearing short setae. Anterior margin straight, lateral margins strongly curved, all of them with dense granules bearing long setae. Posterior margin parabolic, without granules or setae. Anterior angles rounded, posterior angles acute. Mesonotum and metanotum narrower than pronotum, without modification, surface smooth, apical half of elytra darker than other parts of thorax. Legs. Legs (Fig. 5A) simple, surface smooth; apex of femora with a row of small granules bearing long setae in ventral surface; apex of tibiae with a distinct spine, meso- and metatarsus obviously longer than protarsus. Abdomen. Abdominal spiracles round. Discs of tergites I–V with dense small granules bearing short setae (Fig. 5B, 6A & C), granules and setae of tergite VI sparser than tergites I–V. Lateral margins of tergite I with two short projections each bearing a short seta; lateral margins of tergite II–V with three curved projections, the basal one without seta, the other two projections bearing a long seta; lateral margin of tergite VI with four curved projections, the first basal one is obviously shorter than others, basal two projections without setae, other two bearing a long seta; lateral margins of tergites VII & VIII with two curved projections each bearing a long seta; apical margins of tergites VII & VIII rounded; tergite IX posteriorly rounded with a pair of apically sclerotized urogomphi, each with three short projections bearing long setae, lateral margins with dense short projections bearing long setae. Sternites III–VI with three pairs of small projections located near apical margin, each bearing a long seta. Sternites VII and VIII with round apex, apical margin with two pairs of small projection each bearing a long seta., Published as part of Jiang, Ri-Xin, Huang, Xiu-Dong, Yang, Lin, Chang, Zhi-Min, Long, Jian-Kun & Chen, Xiang-Sheng, 2022, Description of the mature larva and pupa of Synchroa chinensis Nikitsky, 1999 (Coleoptera, Synchroidae), pp. 83-91 in Zootaxa 5219 (1) on pages 84-88, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5219.1.5, http://zenodo.org/record/7408313

Exploring high-safety but convenient encryption and decryption technologies to combat threats of information leakage is urgently needed but remains a great challenge. Here, a synergistically time- and temperature-resolved information coding/decoding solution based on functional photonic inks is demonstrated. Encrypted messages can be stored into multiple channels with dynamic-color patterns, and information decryption is only enabled at appointed temperature and time points. Notably, the ink can be easily processed into quick-response codes and multipixel plates. With high transparency and responsive color variations controlled by ink compositions and ambient temperatures, advanced 3D stacking multichannel coding and Morse coding techniques can be applied for multi-information storage, complex anticounterfeiting, and information interference. This study paves an avenue for the design and development of dynamic photonic inks and complex encryption technologies for high-end anticounterfeiting applications.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of selenium (Se) source and level on growth performance, carcass traits, antioxidative ability and meat quality of broilers. A total of 320 one-d-old Arbor Acres commercial broilers were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments with 8 replicates in a completely randomized design involving a 2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments plus one Se-unsupplemented basal diet control for 42 d. The two Se sources were sodium selenite and Se yeast, and the two supplemental Se levels were 0.20 and 0.40 mg Se kg–1. The results showed that broilers fed the Se-supplemented diets had higher (P

Purpose: Various studies have identified miR-202 critically participated in the development of different cancers. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the carcinogenesis of pancreatic cancer (PC) still remains elusive. Methods: In the study, cell proliferation assay, colony formation assay, EdU incorporation assay, Luciferase reporter assay, lactate production, glucose consumption assay, real-time PCR and western blot were used to investigate the mechanism of hexokinase 2 (HK2) regulated by miR-202 in pancreatic cancer in vitro and in vivo. Results: Here we found that miR-202 was decreased in the PC tissues, and its low expression was correlated with a poor prognosis of PC patients. Overexpression of miR-202 in PC cells reduced cell proliferation and tumorigenesis by impairing glycolysis, while downregulation of miR-202 promoted the cells proliferative capacity. Mechanically, we demonstrated that HK2, an enzyme that catalyzes the irreversible rate-limiting step of glycolysis, as the direct target of miR-202. Overexpression of miR-202 suppressed both the mRNA and protein levels of HK2, whereas re-introduction of HK2 abrogated miR-202-mediated glycolytic inhibition. In addition, the expression of miR-202 was negatively associated with HK2 level in a cohort of PC tissues. Conclusion: Our findings validate the mechanism that miR-202 reprograms the metabolic process to promote PC progression, thus providing potential prognostic predictors for PC patients.

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary calcium (Ca) or phosphorus (P) deficiency on bone development and related Ca or P metabolic utilization parameters of broilers from 22 to 42 days of age based on our previous study, which indicated that dietary Ca or P deficiency impaired the bone development by regulating related Ca or P metabolic utilization parameters of broilers from 1 to 21 days of age. A total of 504 one-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments with 7 replicates in a completely randomized design, and fed the normal control and Ca- or P-deficient diets from 1 to 21 days of age. At 22 days of age, the broilers were further fed the normal control diet (0.90% Ca+0.35% non-phytate P (NPP)), the P-deficient diet (0.90% Ca+0.18% NPP), the Ca-deficient diet (0.30% Ca+0.35% NPP) or the Ca and P-deficient diet (0.30% Ca+0.18% NPP), respectively. The results showed that dietary Ca or P deficiency decreased (P

Due to spontaneous organization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) into the chiral nematic structure that can selectively reflect circularly polarized light within a visible-light region, fabricating stretching deformation-responsive CNC materials is of great interest but is still a big challenge, despite such a function widely observed from existing creatures, like a chameleon, because of the inherent brittleness. Here, a flexible network structure is introduced in CNCs, exerting a bridge effect for the rigid nanomaterials. The as-prepared films display high flexibility with a fracture strain of up to 39%. Notably, stretching-induced structural color changes visible to the naked eye are realized, for the first time, for CNC materials. In addition, the soft materials show humidity- and compression-responsive properties in terms of changing apparent structural colors. Colored marks left by ink-free writing can be shown or hidden by controlling the environmental humidities. This biobased photonic film, acting as a new "smart skin", is potentially used with multifunctions of chromogenic sensing, encryption, and anti-counterfeit.

The structures and electronic properties of the gaseous M2Pt20/− clusters (M represents the alkaline earth metal) were investigated using the density functional theory (B3LYP and PBE0) and wave function theory (SCS-MP2, CCSD and CCSD (T)). The results indicate that the D2h isomers with the planar structures are more stable than the C2v isomers with smaller dihedral angles and shorter Pt-Pt bond lengths. The mutual competition of M(s,p)-Pt(5d) interaction and Pt-Pt covalent bonding contributes to the different stabilizations of the two kinds of isomers. The M(s,p)-Pt(5d) interaction favors the planar isomers with D2h symmetry, while the Pt-Pt covalent bonding leads to the C2v isomers with bending structures. Two different crossing points are determined in the potential energy curves of Be2Pt2 with the singlet and triplet states. But there is just one crossing point in potential energy curves of Ra2Pt2 and Ca2Pt2− because of flatter potential energy curves of Ra2Pt2 with the triplet state or Ca2Pt2− with quartet state. The results reveal a unique example of dihedral angle-bending isomers with the smallest number of atoms and may help the understanding of the bonding properties of other potential angle-bending isomers.

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that has a large number of biological functions for broilers. However, the absorption kinetics of Se from sodium selenite in the small intestine of broilers remains unclear. Therefore, two experiments were conducted with 28-d-old commercial male broilers to study the kinetics of Se absorption in ligated small intestinal segments. In experiment 1, the Se absorption in duodenal, jejunal, and ileal segments at different post-perfusion time points (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 min) were compared. In experiment 2, a kinetic study of Se absorption was conducted with the duodenal, jejunal, and ileal loops perfused with solutions containing 0, 0.0375, 0.075, 0.15, 0.30, or 0.60 μg mL−1 of Se as sodium selenite, and Se contents in perfusates were determined at 100 min after perfusion. The results from experiment 1 showed that the Se absorption increased in an asymptotic response (P0.05) in the Se absorption rate among different ligated small intestinal segments perfused with solutions containing 0.0375–0.15 μg mL−1 of Se, however, the Se absorption rate was higher (P