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Background: This study was performed to investigate the association between lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and facet joint osteoarthritis (FJOA) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods: Between March 2012 and September 2018, a total of 441 segments from 394 patients with LDH were included in the study. LDH was classified according to the Michigan State University (MSU) classification, in which the degree of LDH is divided into 3 levels (expressed as 1, 2, and 3) and the location of LDH is divided into 4 zones (described as A, AB, B, and C). Bilateral FJOA was graded from 0 to 3 using the criteria introduced by Weishaupt et al., and bilateral facet orientations were measured on axial MRI slices. A mixed-effects ordinal logistic regression model was utilized to determine the potential factors that may be associated with FJOA, including sex, age, body mass index (BMI), segment, facet orientation and tropism, and the degree and location of LDH.Results: In general, the prevalence of FJOA (grade ≥ 2) was 66.2% in LDH segments. For both the left and right sides, the degree of LDH was associated with the severity of FJOA (p < 0.01). Age and BMI were also associated with the severity of left and right FJOA (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001 for age, p < 0.001 and p = 0.003 for BMI, respectively), while segment, facet orientation, and facet tropism were not (p > 0.05 for all). Notably, MSU-B LDH was associated with greater odds of having more severe FJOA on the herniation side (left: p < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 2.714, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.583~4.650; right: p = 0.003, OR = 2.615, 95% CI = 1.405~4.870). However, other locations of LDH were not associated with the severity of FJOA (p > 0.05 for all).Conclusions: Both the degree of LDH and MSU-B LDH are associated with the severity of FJOA. The association between LDH and FJOA highlights the complexity of the etiology of FJOA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two types of lateral flow immunochromatographic test strips (LFITS) using gold nanoparticles and fluorescent CdTe quantum dots (QDs) as signal labels, respectively, were developed for Shiga toxin type II (STX2) assays. Under optimal conditions, the corresponding visual detection limits were 25 ng mL−1 and 5 ng mL−1, respectively. The test results of gold based LFITS can be recognized directly by the naked eye, whereas the visualized results of CdTe QDs based LFITS can be observed by the aid of a UV lamp. Both assays showed good specificity and stability. The inexpensive LFITS were promising for the rapid clinical detection of STX2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of simvastatin-loaded PLGA sustained release microspheres on the treatment of rats with intervertebral disk degeneration (IVDD) and on 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (6-K-PGF1α) and hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) were investigated. Eighty female rats were selected and randomized into a model group (modeled for IVDD), a treatment group (modeled and treated with simvastatin-loaded PLGA sustained release microspheres), a sham operation group (only operated without excision), and a control group (not treated) (n=20 each). After modeling, 6-K-PGF1α and HIF-1α in the peripheral blood of the rats were, respectively, detected before simvastatin injection (T0), at 2 weeks (T1) and 4 weeks (T2) after simvastatin injection. The bone mineral density (BMD) of L5 and L6 was detected by X-ray. The trabecular thickness, number, and separation of the vertebral body were detected. Changes in the sagittal T2-weighted signal of intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus were detected by MRI. There were no differences between the control and sham operation groups in the indices (P>0.050). Compared with those in the model group during the treatment, BMD, 6-K-PGF1α, HIF-1α, and trabecular number in the treatment group significantly increased (P<0.050), while the trabecular separation significantly decreased (P<0.050). The sagittal T2-weighted MRI signal in the model group was the lowest between the four groups (P<0.050). Simvastatin-loaded PLGA sustained release microspheres can improve the BMD of the vertebral body and increase the contents of 6-K-PGF1α and HIF-1α in the treatment of rats with IVDD, so they are important for the clinical treatment of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to develop a reliable visual method for rapid detection of donkey components to protect consumers from commercial adulteration. Six specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) primers targeted at donkey mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were designed, the mitochondrial DNA extraction simplified, the LAMP reaction system optimized, the specificity verified with mitochondrial DNA of horse, pork, cow, sheep, chicken, duck, and rabbit as negative controls, the detection limit determined with gradient dilution of adulterated meat with donkey meat, and the visual LAMP method for detection of donkey-derived ingredient in common meat products established. The results showed that the modified mitochondrial DNA extraction method was simple and repeatable, and the visual LAMP method with 4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol sodium salt as indicator can accurately and specifically detect the donkey meat in common meat products, 1% detection limit. The study provided a promising solution for facilitating the surveillance of the commercial adulteration in processed meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect tea is a traditional Chinese drink that contains abundant bioactive substances. In this study, the preventive effect of Insect tea on D‐galactose‐induced oxidation in mice was studied. The serum, liver, and spleen of mice were measured by biochemical and molecular biological methods, which showed that Insect tea could increase the biochemical indexes of the thymus, brain, heart, liver, spleen, and kidney in mice with induced oxidative damage. Insect tea can increase the levels of SOD (superoxide dismutase), GSH‐Px (glutathione peroxidase), and GSH (glutathione) and decrease the levels of MDA (malondialdehyde) in the serum, liver, and spleen of mice with oxidative damage. Pathological observation also confirmed that Insect tea could inhibit oxidative damage of the liver and spleen tissue caused by D‐galactose in mice. Further molecular biological experiments also showed that Insect tea could upregulate the mRNA and protein expression of Cu/Zn‐SOD (cuprozinc‐superoxide dismutase), Mn‐SOD (manganese superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), HO‐1 (heme oxygenase‐1), Nrf2 (nuclear factor‐erythroid 2 related factor 2), γ‐GCS (γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase), and NQO1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1) in the liver and spleen of oxidized mice. Insect tea has a good preventive effect on D‐galactose‐induced oxidation in mice, and the effect is better than vitamin C, an antioxidant. Insect tea is rich in isochlorogenic acid A, quercetin, rutin, hesperidin, neochlorogenic acid, and cryptochlorogenic acid. The combination of these bioactive substances has good antioxidant effects. Thus, Insect tea is a functional food with a good antioxidant effect that has value for future development and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Independent inference of the Asian winter monsoon (AWM), albeit achieved at several sparse sites, has reached no consensus for its variability through the Holocene. A sediment core from the northern coast of the South China Sea (SCS) was utilized to analyze organic biomarkers at (bi‐)decadal resolution, unveiling how SCS oceanic conditions fingerprint the AWM signal. Generally, alkenone sea surface temperature (SST) record, resembling the temporal structures of integrated tropical SST over the past 7,500 years, shows abnormal cool temperatures (up to ~4 °C) during the Little Ice Age and between ~1,200 and 2,500 years BP, when windborne terrigenous hopane compounds experienced considerable increases superimposed on a general increasing trend. Our results, together with augmented SST gradient between the SCS coast and open ocean, consistently suggest AWM strengthening toward the late Holocene. An intensified AWM during cold intervals like the Little Ice Age would have provided strong positive feedback to enhance coastal cooling. Plain Language Summary: Reconstructions of the Holocene Asian winter monsoon (AWM) history from terrestrial proxies are not only limited but also opposite, with both strengthening and weakening trends as reported. This study sheds additional insight into this controversy by analyzing the organic geochemistry of a sediment core at the northern coast of the South China Sea, where oceanic conditions such as sea surface temperature intensively interact with the AWM. We observed substantial surface cooling and a remarkable increase in terrestrial‐sourced hopane content concurrently toward the late Holocene, with the maximum taking place during the Little Ice Age and between 1,200 and 2,500 years ago. Together with enhanced temperature contrast between the coast and open ocean, our results clearly demonstrate an overall intensification of the Holocene AWM toward the present, antiphased with Asian summer monsoon changes. Key Points: Bi‐decadal alkenone SST changes at the northern SCS coast over the past ~7,500 yearsSharp increase in flux of terrestrial‐sourced hopane compounds during cool intervalsStrengthened winter monsoon toward the late Holocene, particularly at the LIA [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recoveries of mesophyll (g m) and stomatal conductance to CO 2 (g sc) after soil rewatering have received considerable attention in recent years, but the recovery mechanisms involving leaf anatomy and physiological activities are poorly understood. Moreover, it is also unclear whether leaf gas-phase conductance (g ias) or liquid-phase conductance (g liq) is the main factor promoting g m recovery. By simultaneously using gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence, we measured the recoveries of g m and g sc in saplings of Manchurian ash (Fraxinus mandshurica Rupr.) and Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica Fish. ex Ledeb) exposed to two initial water stress (medium water stress, MW, and severe water stress, SW) and following rewatering. Furthermore, leaf anatomical characteristics and the activities of aquaporin (AQP) and carbonic anhydrase (CA) were measured to explain the mechanisms of g m and g sc recoveries. The results showed that (i) both g m and g sc were partly recovered after rewatering, and the recoveries decreased with initial water stress in both species. (ii) The g m recovery was much greater in Mongolian oak than in Manchurian ash, while the g sc recovery was much greater in Manchurian ash. Consequently, the photosynthesis recovery in Manchurian ash was mostly affected by g sc recovery, while that in Mongolian oak was mostly affected by g m recovery. (iii) The g m recovery mainly resulted from the great increase in leaf g liq after rewatering rather than that in g ias , as g ias had a negative effect on g m recovery. The stomatal opening status improved after rewatering, as the stomatal pore size (SS) increased, greatly promoting g sc recovery. In addition, the activities of both AQP and CA increased after rewatering, which improved CO 2 transmembrane transports and greatly promoted g m and g sc recoveries. Image 1 • g m and g sc were partly recovered after soil rewatering in both species. • g m recovered more in Mongolian oak while g sc recovered more in Manchurian ash. • The g m recovery was mainly resulted from a great increase in g liq after rewatering. • The g sc recovery was mainly benefited from the increase of stomatal opening status. • The increases of AQP and CA activities greatly promoted g m and g sc recoveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interleukin (IL)‐17A is involved in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR). Increased expression of IL‐17A is correlated with disease severity and nasal eosinophilia. However, the molecular mechanisms by which IL‐17A contributes to T‐helper 2 cytokine IL‐13‒driven pathology in AR remain unclear. We sought to obtain mechanistic insight into how IL‐17A and IL‐13 regulate the epithelial production of eotaxin‐3 representing eosinophilic inflammation in AR. Methods: Human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) from AR patients were cultured and stimulated with IL‐17A, IL‐13, or IL‐17A and IL‐13. Phosphorylated signal transducer activator of transcription 6 (p‐STAT6) and suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) in HNECs were assayed using Western blotting. Immunocytochemistry was used to determine p‐STAT6‒positive expression in the cells. Eotaxin‐3 expression in the cells and culture supernatants was evaluated using real‐time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Results: Stimulation with IL‐13 alone induced STAT6 phosphorylation and promoted p‐STAT6 nuclear translocation, leading to eotaxin‐3 production by HNECs. These effects were further enhanced by cotreatment with IL‐13 and IL‐17A, whereas IL‐17A alone had no impact on STAT6 or eotaxin‐3 expression. Incubation with IL‐17A or IL‐13 increased the level of SOCS1 protein in the cells, whereas the addition of IL‐17A attenuated IL‐13‒induced SOCS1 expression. Conclusion: IL‐17A potentiated IL‐13‒driven STAT6 activation through the downregulation of SOCS1 expression, leading to enhancement of eotaxin‐3 production by HNECs. These factors contributed to eosinophilic inflammation in AR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wushan Shencha (Malus doumeri leaf) is a unique tea‐like drink. Herein, the effect of flavonoids from Wushan Shencha (FWSSC) on carbon tetrachloride‐induced liver injury was studied. The serum and liver tissues of experimental mice were analyzed by kits, a slice technique, and qPCR assay. The liver index is a calculated liver‐to‐body weight ratio, and the experimental results showed that FWSSC reduced the liver index of the model group with liver injury, which was the highest. Sections stained with H&E showed that FWSSC reduced stem cell necrosis caused by liver injury. FWSSC reduced the serum levels of AST, ALT, TG, and TC, as well as the levels of IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ cytokines in the serum of mice with liver injury. Liver biochemical tests also showed that FWSSC increased the SOD activity and decreased TC, TG, and MPO levels in mice with liver injury. It was found that FWSSC upregulated the expression of Cu/Zn‐SOD, Mn‐SOD, CAT, and IκB‐α, and downregulated the expression of NF‐κB, COX‐2, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β in the liver tissue of mice with liver injury by detecting the expression of mRNA in liver tissue. It is concluded that FWSSC is an active substance with hepatoprotective effects. The activity of FWSSC increased with increasing concentration, and the hepatoprotective effect of FWSSC at 100 mg/kg concentration was stronger than that of silymarin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is one of the most pleiotropic cytokines because of its wide range of effects on cells of the immune and non-immune systems in the body. However, the role of IL-6 in fish monocytes/macrophages (MO/MФ) is poorly understood. In this study, we cloned the cDNA sequence of the IL-6 gene from ayu (Plecoglossus altivelis) and demonstrated using a tissue distribution assay that ayu interleukin-6 (PaIL-6) mRNA is expressed in all tested tissues. Changes in expression were observed in immune tissues as well as in MO/MФ after a Vibrio anguillarum infection; subsequently, PaIL-6 was expressed and purified to prepare anti-PaIL-6 antibodies. Recombinant PaIL-6 protein (rPaIL-6) treatment enhanced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Ayu interleukin-6 receptor β (PaIL-6Rβ) knockdown resulted in decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in MO/MФ treated with rPaIL-6, whereas no significant changes were observed after ayu interleukin-6 receptor α (PaIL-6Rα) knockdown in MO/MФ. PaIL-6 and PaIL-6Rβ knockdown in MO/MФ inhibited the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1. Moreover, PaIL-6Rβ knockdown inhibited the phagocytic and bactericidal ability of ayu MO/MФ treated with rPaIL-6. These data indicate that PaIL-6 may be able to regulate the function of ayu MO/MФ. • We characterized an IL-6 gene from ayu. • IL-6 transcripts were altered in ayu upon Vibrio anguillarum infection. • Infection stimulated IL-6 expression in ayu monocytes/macrophages. • IL-6 regulated the functions of monocyte/macrophage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paleoproterozoic granitoids are an important constituent of the Jiao–Liao–Ji Belt (JLJB). The spatial‐temporal distribution and types of Paleoproterozoic granitoids are closely related to the evolution of the JLJB. In this paper, we review the field occurrence, petrography, geochronology, and geochemistry of Paleoproterozoic granitoids on Liaodong Peninsula, northeast China. The Paleoproterozoic granitoids can be divided into pre‐tectonic (∼2.15 Ga; peak age=2.18 Ga) and post‐tectonic (∼1.85 Ga) granitoids. The pre‐tectonic granitoids are magnetite and hornblende–biotite monzogranites and granodiorites. Pre‐tectonic monzogranites are widespread in the JLJB and have A2‐type affinities. In contrast, pre‐tectonic granodiorites are only present in the Simenzi area and have adakitic affinities. The post‐tectonic granitoids consist of porphyritic monzogranite, syenite, diorite, granodiorite, quartz monzonite, monzogranite, and granitic pegmatite, which are adakitic rocks and I‐, S‐, and A2‐type granitoids. The assemblage of pre‐tectonic A2‐type granitoids and adakitic rocks indicates the initial tectonic setting of the JLJB was a continental back‐arc basin. The assemblage of post‐tectonic adakitic rocks and I‐, S‐, and A2‐type granitoids indicates a post‐collisional setting. The 2.20–2.15 Ga A2‐type granitoids and adakitic rocks were associated with the initial stage of back‐arc extension, and the peak of back‐arc extension is inferred from the subsequent (2.15–2.10 Ga) mafic intrusive activity. The ∼1.90 Ga adakitic rocks mark the beginning of the post‐collisional stage, which was followed by the intrusion of low‐temperature S‐ and I‐type granitoids. High‐ to low‐pressure granitoids (S‐type) were generated during the peak of post‐collisional lithospheric delamination and asthenospheric upwelling. The emplacement of later granitic pegmatites occurred during the waning of the orogeny. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement soil mixing piles are an effective treatment method for marine soft clay. To investigate the static and dynamic characteristics of the composite soil with cemented soil core, a series of experiments are carried out by using the cyclic simple shear test. The result shows that, the static shear strain showed strain hardening, cemented soil core can improve static shear strength of composite soil, vertical stress can enlarge reinforcement of cemented soil core. The tendency of strain development of composite soil with different area replacement ratios under cyclic loading is the same as that of pure clay, existing critical cyclic stress ratios corresponding to different area replacement ratios. In addition, improving area replacement ratio can increase cyclic strength. At same time, adding of cemented soil core does not change shape of hysteresis curve compared with it for clay either. Moreover, cemented soil core can also obstruct stiffness softening. Through regression analysis of the experimental data, relationship between cyclic number and soil softening index is proved to be linear. The results can give a reference for the dynamic characters of the marine soft clay foundation with cement soil mixing piles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local heat can accelerate the blood circulation and induce the vasodilatation. Investigators reported that local heat causes an increase in skin blood flow consisting of two phases. The first is solely sensory neural, and the second is nitric oxide mediated. However, the mechanism underlying the skin blood flow response to local heating are complex and poorly understood. The mechanisms behind these two phases are deduced to be linked by flow-mediated dilation. In this study, the variation of the blood flow and the blood vessel diameter are monitored during local heating. According to the dynamic blood flow, the theoretical model of flow mediated dilation involving the key agents production and transportation was first used to study vasodilatation process during heating, and the variations of blood vessel was obtained. Finally, accurate distributions of the nitric oxide, calcium and myosin concentrations in the arterial wall were found during autoregulation. We evaluated the time course of the blood vessel changing and verified the fact that the second increase in blood flow is the result of flow dilation mediation. The effects of dilation of blood vessel were also analyzed. • Flow-mediated dilatation response of the blood vessel was predicted during hyperthermia. • The related agents production and diffusion during autoregulation process was obtained and demonstrated. • A direct link between the mechanisms of the neural- and NO-mediated increases in flow was established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The trained U-Net model is universal for composites under different pressures. • A novel automatic crack classification algorithm was proposed to classify cracks. • The proportions of various cracks in composites were quantitatively analyzed. • The proposed methods can be applied to guide the design of composite structure. The crack classification and statistics of composites under different loading conditions are significant to damage mechanism analysis. For computed tomography (CT) images with complex backgrounds and low resolution of composite materials, it is time-consuming to obtain different types of cracks by manual extraction. In this paper, a novel crack classification algorithm combining the U-Net model and morphological operation, was proposed to automatically extract cracks in warp, cracks in weft, cracks in resin and interfacial cracks. The efficiency of the algorithm is thousands of times higher than that of manual extraction, and the algorithm accuracy is more than 88%. Based on the proposed method, the crack distribution in composites can be quantitatively analyzed. The statistical results show that the proportion of interfacial cracks is up to 8%, extremely higher than that of other cracks. It is expacted that the proposed method can be used to quantitatively analyze the internal damage state of composites under different loading conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Machine learning model is developed for CO 2 RR catalyst prediction in C 2 H 4 production. • Critical factors that might affect the Faraday efficiency of C 2 H 4 are considered. • Cu-based composite catalyst with high C 2 H 4 Faraday efficiency is predicted. Cu-based materials are the most commonly used electrocatalysts for CO 2 reduction to ethylene. The selectivity of copper-based catalysts is affected by many complicated and coupled factors, such as composition, additive and morphology. Therefore, developing highly selective copper-based catalysts for ethylene production is still a significant challenge. This study constructs a CO 2 reduction catalysis database using published experimental data. Machine learning (ML) models are developed to study the importance of various factors on the CO 2 reduction activity of Cu-based materials. The ML model predicts that the needle-like structured Cu 2 O (110) composited with copper hydroxide, N-doped carbon black would benefit the Faradaic efficiency of ethylene production in KOH electrolyte. This data-guided ML framework provides a facile alternative method for the quick screening of active Cu-based catalysts towards CO 2 reduction to ethylene. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this work, hydroxyapatite nanotubes (HANTs) were explored as a novel environment-friendly additive for the fabrication of ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. Hydrophilic modification was conducted to the prepared HANTs, which includes the polydopamine (PDA) coating and the following grafting of taurine (TA), a kind of amino acid with -SO 3 H group. Subsequently, the modified HANTs (HANTs-DA-TA) were mixed with polyethersulfone (PES) to fabricate nanocomposite UF membranes. The prepared membranes were fully characterized, including the porosity, hydrophilicity, membrane morphology, and practical UF capability. The fabricated PES/HANTs-DA-TA membranes exhibited remarkably elevated water flux (up to 439 L m−2 h−1), which was ~2.6 times that of PES membrane (169 L m−2 h−1), whereas the rejection of PES/HANTs-DA-TA membranes was still kept at a high state. The improved flux mainly benefited from the more porous membrane structure, declined skin layer thickness, and the enhanced hydrophilicity. Meanwhile, the PES/HANTs-DA-TA membranes exhibited increased antifouling capability and the highest flux recovery ratio (FRR) reached 77.9% due to the improved surface hydrophilicity. Furthermore, the short rod-like nano hydroxyapatite (HA) was prepared and functionalized the same way as the HANTs-DA-TA. It was found that compared to rod-like HA, the tubular nano HA was more efficient in facilitating the membrane permeation due to the superiority of nanotubular structure. This work reveals that as a novel green additive, the HANTs have great application potential in fabricating water treatment membranes and can be employed for further studies. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of PDA-based modification procedure of HANTs. fx1 Highlights • Hydroxyapatite nanotubes (HANTs) were modified with taurine based on the secondary reaction offered by polydopamine. • Novel PES membranes were prepared via blending with HANTs-DA-TA. • Hybrid membranes attained improved permeability and antifouling property. • Compared with nano HA with short rod-like structure, nano HA with tubular structure achieved better effect on enhancing the membrane permeability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Economical and highly performed anode material is the critical factor affecting the efficiency of anodic oxidation toward organics. In this work, the graphite felt, a common carbonaceous electrode material, is etched by cobalt oxide to fabricated Co 3 O 4 /graphite composite anode to eliminate diuron in aqueous solution. The surface morphology, composition and structure of the Co 3 O 4 /graphite composite anode are characterized by scanning electron microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Low-current degradation of diuron is achieved in an anodic oxidation process using Co 3 O 4 /graphite composite anode. The influence of the applied current density, initial pH value and initial concentration of diuron on the oxidation efficiency are investigated and optimized. The prepared Co 3 O 4 /graphite composite anode exhibited excellent activity for oxidation of 20 mg L−1 diuron, obtaining 100% removal efficiency within 14 min under the condition of applied current density 3 mA cm−2 and initial pH 2.0. The process is confirmed to possess a non-radical mechanism in which the diuron is oxidized at the catalytic sites of composite anode under the synergy effect of Co 3 O 4 /graphite composite and anodic current. The accelerated service life test proved good electrochemical stability of the prepared Co 3 O 4 /GF composite electrode. The low energy demand and use of cheap graphite substrate endow the anodic process based on Co 3 O 4 /graphite composite anode in this work with great application prospect to effective removal of diuron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Morphological engineering plays a very important role to the performance of perovskite solar cells. In this study, 3,4-dihydroxybenzhydrazide employes as an additive in the perovskite precursor to control the crystallization kinetics. It is found that the doping of 3,4-dihydroxybenzhydrazide led to increase of grain size and decrease of grain boundaries, both of which facilitate charge transportation and suppress charge recombination within the photoactive layers. Consequently, the power conversion efficiencies of the corresponding perovskite solar cells are significantly enhanced, and a champion power conversion efficiencies of 17.58% with open circuit voltage of 1.06 V, short circuit current density of 21.40 mA cm−2 and fill factor of 79.1% is achieved, which is 21.5% higher than that without 3,4-dihydroxybenzhydrazide (14.47%). Moreover, upon doping the stability of the perovskite solar cells is also improved. We believe that the idea demonstrated in this research can also be applied to other lead-based perovskite systems. Graphical abstract Image 1005 Highlights • DOBD containing Lewis base C O was employed as additive to control the crystallizxation kinetics of perovskite. • The grain size of peroveskite enlarged dramatically with doping of DOBD. • The PCEs of perovskite solar cell with DOBD incrased dramatically and the stability of Pero-SCs was also enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this work, a pH-responsive semi-interpenetrating network (semi-IPN) hydrogel consisted of peach gum polysaccharide (PGP) and Auricularia polytricha β -glucans (APP) was developed. Scanning electron microscope and confocal laser scanning microscope showed that PGP-APP hydrogel had a high porous structure with the formation of PGP-APP semi-IPN. Mössbauer and FT-IR spectroscopy revealed that the hydrogels had COO−-Fe3+ cross-links through bridging and unidentate binding. Moreover, the delivery capability of the hydrogel was studied. The in vitro release of encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum CICC20264 and Lactobacillus salivarius CICC23174 in simulated gastric fluid was negligible (below 2 log 10 cfu/g), while viable cells were progressively increased with the degradation of hydrogels at stimulated intestinal conditions and a complete release was reached up to more than 7 log 10 cfu/g after 10.25 h incubation. On account of stable and dense structure, PGP-APP semi-IPN hydrogels had a significant positive effect (p < 0.05) on the viability of bacteria under gastrointestinal transition model. These studies indicated the unique properties of PGP based hydrogels and potential application as intestinal targeted delivery systems. Graphical abstract A Schematic illustration of the fabrication of the PGP hydrogel and PGP-APP semi-IPN hydrogel. Image 1 Highlights • Novel promising pH sensitive Fe3+ cross-linked peach gum polysaccharide based hydrogel and semi-interpenetrating polymer network(semi-IPN) hydrogel were formed. • The negatively charged hydrogels kept a stable structure in the acidic circumstances and degraded gradually at pH 7.0. • Hydrogels system provided a good protection for the probiotic Lactobacillus salivarius CICC23174 and Lactobacillus plantarum CICC20264. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The design of evaporator can clearly affect the performance of loop heat pipes (LHPs). In order to understand the influence, three different designs of evaporators were compared, including embedding vapor channels on the heating surface (Config_1), embedding vapor channels in the wick (Config_2), and separating the wick from the heating surface (Config_3). Based on the validated model, the operating temperature, the start-up time, and the transport distance, as key performance indicators, were studied. Results show that, to improve the performance of LHP, it is of importance to reduce the contacting area between the wick and the heating surface. Due to the existence of the steam chamber, the wick was separated from the heating surface in Config_3, resulting in the lowest operating temperature and the shortest start-up time. The pressure head of evaporation is also an important component of the driving force. For Config_3, since the evaporation happened in the steam chamber rather than in the wick, it had a longer transport distance than Config_1 and Config_2 at the same heat load. Highlights • This work compared the performance comparison of three kinds of loop heat pipes. • A mathematical model based on node analysis method has been developed and validated against experimental data. • The operating temperature, the start-up time, and the transport distance for three LHPs have been investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There have been many ways to construct an algorithm to encrypt image. Most often the algorithms are based on DNA sequence or other methods. In this paper, we proposed a new method which is based on singular value decomposition. In this approach, we can encrypt a small portion of the data through RSA encryption algorithm. The strength of the proposed method is insured through various statistical and security analysis. It shows that the algorithm has good encryption effect and higher encryption efficiency, which can be applied to the storage and network transmission of military, medical and other digital images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Our previous study showed that SUMO1 expression is closely related to progression in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the function of SUMO1 in NSCLC has not yet been well elucidated. Methods: SUMO1 was enhanced or silenced in two NSCLC cell lines by using either forced SUMO1 expression or short hairpin RNA against SUMO1 lentiviral vectors, respectively. The biological functions of SUMO1 in NSCLC were investigated through colony‐formation, cell proliferation, and invasion assays, and cell cycle analysis. NF‐κB expression was detected in the overexpressed and silenced SUMO1 cell lines. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect an association between SUMO1 and NF‐κB in the cancer and adjacent tissues of 168 patients with lung cancer. Results: Overexpressed SUMO1 promoted the proliferation rate, colony formation ability, invasion, and NF‐κB expression in an A549 cell line. Conversely, SUMO1 depletion inhibited the cell growth rate, colony formation ability, invasion, and NF‐κB expression in a Calu‐1 cell line. SUMO1 expression was significantly correlated with NF‐κB expression in lung adenocarcinoma and squamous carcinoma patients (r > 0.5, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results provide evidence that SUMO1 promotes the proliferation and invasion of NSCLC cells by regulating NF‐κB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • SCIT was applied in patients with major depression. • Patients with SCIT showed a greater improvement on social cognition. • Patients with SCIT showed a greater reduction of severity of depressive symptoms. Abstract The present work investigated the efficacy of social cognition and interaction training (SCIT) for patients with major depression. Thirty first-episode patients with major depression who received the SCIT plus the treatment-as-usual (i.e., SCIT + TAU group) were compared with twenty-nine patients who only received treatment-as-usual (i.e., TAU group). Patients received SCIT showed a significantly greater improvement on emotion perception, theory of mind, and attributional styles from baseline to follow-up assessments, with a significant reduction of severity of depressive symptoms, compared to those in TAU group. The preliminary findings indicate that SCIT is a feasible and promising method to improve social cognition for patients with major depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: To develop a novel strategy for the treatment of kidney disease, we explored potential molecular targets involved in the development of renal ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Methods: The Gene expression profile data of GSE27274, including controls and rats subjected to renal IRI and reperfusion for 24 h (IR24) or 120 h (IR120), was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analysed using the limma package. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway functional enrichment analyses of common DEGs were carried out. Protein-protein interactions (PPI) and miRNA-DEG network analyses were performed using the STRING database and WebGestalt, respectively, followed by network construction using Cytoscape. Results: In total, 80 common DEGs (41 up- and 39 downregulated genes) between IR24 and IR120 were screened. Genes encoding tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (Timp1), secreted phosphoprotein 1 (Spp1) and dimethylglycine dehydrogenase (Dmgdh) were identified as hub genes in the PPI network and may be significant in the development of renal IRI. Upregulated Spp1 was enriched in the inflammatory response, and downregulated Dmgdh was enriched in the catabolic process of the amino acid betaine. In reactome pathway analyses, Spp1 was enriched in toll-like receptor signalling, and Dmgdh was enriched in glycine, serine and threonine metabolic pathways. The common DEGs were mainly regulated by 15 miRNA clusters. Conclusion:Timp1, Spp1, Dmgdh, miR-142-5p and miR-181a may be potential targets or biomarkers for the development of renal IRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Architecture of electrode materials plays an important role in achieving favorable electrochemical performance via providing fast electronic transport pathway and shorten lithium ion diffusion distance. Herein, ultrafine CoP nanoparticles were successfully embedded in carbon nanorod, which were grown on the biomass-derived carbon (BC). When applied as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, these CoP@C/BC displayed capable specific capacity, remarkable rate ability and outstanding long-term cycling performance. The capacity was governed by combination of diffusion-controlled and capacitive processes, according to quantitative kinetic analysis. The good electrochemical performance is attributed to hierarchical construction of nanosized CoP embedded in carbon nanorod and BC with high conductivity composite, which relieve the volume changing of CoP and provide large electrode/electrolyte interface. The present design of hierarchical architecture can be extended to other transition metal-based oxides, sulfide and phosphide electrode materials for high performance alkali metal ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low durability is a potential Achilles heel for superhydrophobic coatings, which greatly prevents applications of superhydrophobic materials for various daily living activities. In this paper, a novel branched epoxy, dangling long fluoroalkyl tail, was designed and synthesized. The coating shows contact angles of 165°, 147° and 144° to water, glycol and colza oil, respectively, and shows superhydrophobicity. This coating is also highly durable, withstanding at least 1000 abrasion cycles under 45 kPa. After abrasion testing, its contact angle to water is maintained at 152°. Furthermore, this coating also shows a remarkable stability towards strong acid, UV light, thermal and smudge treatment without apparently losing its superhydrophobicity. The epoxy groups of the T-FAE can form high crosslinking network by the ring-opening reaction and reacting with the Si OH and NH 2 , and long-fluorine chain offers low surface energy. All these are responsible for the excellent performance of the coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of 4-hydroxycoumarin with aromatic aldehyde and malononitrile (or ethyl cyanoacetate) gave two kinds of 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives (1–6) and their structures were characterized via IR, 1H NMR, HRMS, and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The in vitro anticancer activity of the synthesized products was studied and evaluated, in which four human lung cancer cells (A549, NCI-H1299, H1650 and PC9) were used in the screening tests. The results showed that compared with compounds 1–3, compounds 4–6 with ethyl ester group exerted rather potent activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quadrupolar plasmon resonances that originate from interparticle near-field coupling interaction were observed in arrays composed of small-sized Ag nanoparticles (∼30 nm). The arrays were prepared by a dewetting process, during which hexagonally arranged aluminum pits were used to induce and confine the nucleation and growth of Ag nanoparticles. With the increase in the thickness of the initial Ag film, the particle size increases, and the interparticle spacing decreases to sub-10 nm scale, making adjacent particles strongly coupled. As a result, the quadrupolar resonance mode occurs, and its wavelength remains practically unchanged, while the dipolar mode shifts toward to a longer wavelength by about 80 nm. In comparison, only a dipolar resonance mode was observed in the non-coupled array that has a large interparticle spacing. The coupled array was demonstrated to exhibit much stronger surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity than that of the non-coupled array, suggesting that the quadrupolar mode can also be viewed as an indication of strong SERS enhancement in arrays composed of small-sized metal nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, cone calorimeter and thermogravimetric analyses were used to simulate the asphalt combustion process under the conditions of fire radiation and programmed temperature increase. The gaseous compositions and release rules were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy to investigate the influence of hydrated lime on the smoke suppression mechanism in the asphalt combustion process. The experimental results show that hydrated lime can promote the asphalt mastic surface to form a barrier layer during the combustion process. This barrier layer can reduce the burning intensity of asphalt. Although the compositions of gaseous products do not change much, the rates of CO production and smoke release are decreased. In addition, hydrated lime is alkaline and can thus neutralize acidic gases such as SO2 and reduce the toxicity of gaseous products. With the addition of 40 wt.% hydrated lime, the total smoke release and the CO release rate both decrease by more than 20% relative to the addition of the same amount of limestone fillers and decrease by more than 10% relative to the addition of the same amount of magnesium hydroxide flame retardant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the measurement of total and stellar/dark matter decomposed mass density profile around a sample of galaxy groups and clusters with dynamical masses derived from integral-field stellar kinematics from the MaNGA survey in Paper I and weak lensing derived from the DECaLS imaging survey. Combining the two data sets enables accurate measurement of the radial density distribution from several kpc to Mpc scales. Intriguingly, we find that the excess surface density derived from stellar kinematics in the inner region cannot be explained by simply adding an NFW dark matter halo extrapolated from lensing measurement at a larger scale to a stellar mass component derived from the NASA-Sloan Atlas (NSA) catalogue. We find that a good fit to both data sets requires a stellar mass normalization about three times higher than that derived from the NSA catalogue, which would require an unrealistically too-heavy initial mass function for stellar mass estimation. If we keep the stellar mass normalization to that of the NSA catalogue but allow a varying inner dark matter density profile, we obtain an asymptotic slope of γgnfw =  |$1.82_{-0.25}^{+0.15}$| and γgnfw =  |$1.48_{-0.41}^{+0.20}$| for the group bin and the cluster bin, respectively, significantly steeper than the NFW case. We also compare the total mass inner density slopes with those from TNG300 and find that the values from the simulation are lower than the observation by about 2σ level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steroid hormone level is a crucial factor affecting the outcomes of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum steroid metabolome on the day of oocyte retrieval in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and explore whether specific steroids can be potential indicators to improve the prediction of pregnancy outcomes in PCOS patients undergoing IVF/ICSI. In this study, the serum levels of 21 steroids in 89 women with PCOS and 73 control women without PCOS on the day of oocyte retrieval of the first IVF/ICSI treatment cycle were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). All patients subsequently received good-quality embryo transfer, and the correlation between their steroid profiles and pregnancy outcomes of the first embryo transfer (ET) was retrospectively analyzed. We found PCOS patients had aberrant levels of 11 out of 21 steroid hormones compared to control individuals, with androgen steroid hormones being considerably enhanced. Enzyme activity evaluation indicated that PCOS women might have abnormal activity of CYP17A1, CYP21A2, CYP11B2, CYP19A1, HSD3B, HSD11B, and HSD17B. Additionally, the level of 18-hydroxycorticosterone (p = 0.014), corticosterone (p = 0.035), and 17-hydroxypregnenolone (p = 0.005) were markedly higher in live birth group than in non- live birth group for PCOS women following frozen embryo transfer (FET). Multiple logistic regressions indicated that 18-hydrocorticosterone and 17-hydroxypregnenolone were independently associated with live birth outcomes of PCOS women following FET. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that 0.595 ng/mL for 18-hydrocorticosterone level (AUC: 0.6936, p = 0.014).and 2.829 ng/mL for 17-hydroxypregnenolone level (AUC: 0.7215, p = 0.005) were the best cutoff values to predict live birth outcomes of PCOS. In conclusion, the blood steroid metabolome was closely related to the IVF/ICSI outcomes of PCOS patients. 18-hydroxycorticosterone and 17-hydroxypregnenolone might be potential indicators to predict pregnancy outcomes of PCOS undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment. ● PCOS patients had aberrant steroid hormones on the day of oocyte retrieval compared to control individuals ● The blood steroid metabolome was closely related to the IVF/ICSI outcomes of PCOS patients. ● The serum levels of 18-hydroxycorticosterone and 17-hydroxypregnenolone on the day of oocyte retrieval might be potential indicators to predict pregnancy outcomes of PCOS undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stabilization of soil organic carbon is closely linked to edaphic properties and environmental variables. Despite this, the mechanism of soil organic carbon stabilization, as well as the primary factor controlling soil organic carbon in riparian ecosystems, remains unclear. To address this gap, our study investigated the impact of flooding regimes on soil organic carbon fractions and other chemical properties in the riparian zone, focusing on the dominant intrinsic factors controlling soil organic carbon content within the three soil types (Anthrosols, Luvisols, and Regosols). Our results demonstrated that flooding regimes significantly affect soil chemical properties in the riparian zone, with varying effects among the three soil types. Specifically, Regosols showed an increase in the particulate organic carbon with flooding intensity. Organic carbon fractions in Anthrosols and Luvisols are found to respond similarly to flooding regimes. The effects of soil chemical properties on organic carbon fractions varied across the three soil types. The variations in POC c , POC f , and MOC for Anthrosols were explained by path models by 43 %, 95 %, and 33 %, respectively. Similarly, for Luvisols, the path models accounted for 66 %, 90 %, and 29 % of the variations, whereas for Regosols, the variations were explained by 43 %, 93 %, and 21 %. Overall, for all tested soils combined, the path models explained 36 %, 89 %, and 12 %, respectively. Therefrom, under flooding regimes, soil oxides played a more significant role in stabilizing soil organic carbon for the three soil types than clay, silt, and cations. Specifically, in Anthrosols, Luvisols, and Regosols, the path coefficient for soil oxides was 0.90, 0.95, and 0.97, respectively, for POC f ; while it was 0.30, 0.21, and 0.22 for POCc. In conclusion, we revealed that flooding regimes enhance the role of soil oxides in stabilizing organic carbon. Therefore, we recommend that soil oxides shall be included in organic carbon saturation models for riparian zones subjected to flooding regimes. • Flooding regimes partially raised particulate organic carbon levels. • Intense flooding raised soil total exchangeable base cations. • Soil type affects exchangeable cation impact on organic carbon. • Periodic flooding enhances soil oxides function in stabilizing organic carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The relationship was explored between the oil-water partition coefficient (logP) and the bee-toxicity for commercial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators in this work. • Two series of novel butenolide derivatives (I-01∼I-14, II-01∼II-13) containing different hydrophobic group were designed, synthesized and discovered that target compounds showed moderate insecticidal activity against A. glycines. • Compounds I-01, II-05 and II-11 were with higher insecticidal activity against Aphis glycines , lower contact bee-toxicity and lower calculated logP values among all synthesized compounds. • Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that three butenolide compounds had some hydrogen bonding or π-π stacking interactions with insect acetylcholine binding protein (AChBP). The possible bee-toxicity mechanism of action for novel butenolide compounds were explored based on nAChR function subunit AmeIα8/ratβ2. The discovery of new neonicotinoid alternatives with high efficiency against pests and eco-safety toward bees has become an increasingly urgent need in recent years. The relationship between the oil-water partition coefficient (logP) and the bee-toxicity of commercial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) competitive modulators was explored in this work. Compared compounds with a high bee-toxicity, compounds with low bee-toxicity were found to have higher logP values. Therefore, two series of novel butenolide derivatives with different hydrophobic groups were designed and synthesized by including different hydrophobic groups. The insecticidal activity study showed that compounds I-01 (LC 50 =112.96 μg/mL), II-05 (LC 50 =124.68 μg/mL), and II-11 (LC 50 =87.89 μg/mL) were with higher insecticidal activity against Aphis glycines and lower calculated logP values among all synthesized compounds. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that three butenolide compounds formed some hydrogen bonding or π-π stacking interactions with insect acetylcholine binding protein (AChBP). In addition, the bee-toxicity bioassay also showed that compounds I-01, II-05 and II-11 were with much lower contact bee-toxicity than imidacloprid. The possible mechanism of the bee toxicity of the novel butenolide compounds was explored based on the nAChR function subunit AmeIα8/ratβ2. This study will provide rational guidance on novel butenolide compounds as low-bee-toxicity candidates based on their molecular hydrophobic properties. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the weakly damped wave equations with hereditary effects, and the nonlinearity f satisfies critical growth. The delay term g(t, ut) may be driven by a function with very weak assumptions, namely, just measurability. We analyze the well-posedness of solutions and verify the existence of the pullback D-attractor in CH01(Ω)×CL2(Ω) by constructing the energy functional and combining with the idea of the contractive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were successfully synthesized using zwitterionic structure, consisting of quaternary amine and sulfonic acid groups. The zwitterionic MWCNTs were introduced into a polyethersulfone (PES) matrix to prepare ultrafiltration membranes, via the phase inversion method. The acid-functionalized MWCNTs were then mixed with the membrane matrix as reference. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy validated the introduction of quaternary amine and sulfonic acid groups into the MWCNTs. For example, the hydrophilicity of the composite membranes, especially of zwitterionic MWCNTs/PES composite membranes, was obviously improved, as compared with that of the pristine PES membrane. Also, the morphologies of the membranes were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and their permeability and antifouling properties were thoroughly investigated. The results show that the water flux of the composite membrane, containing 0.2 wt% of zwitterionic MWCNTs, was twice more than that of the pure PES membrane, and its flux recovery ratio was as high as 85%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinicopathological and ultrasound characteristics of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) and compare these findings with those for hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive)/human epidermal growth factor receptor-2-negative (HER-2-negative) tumors. Seventy-five TNBCs and 135 HR-positive/HER-2-negative breast cancers were reviewed. Data from conventional ultrasound, Doppler vascularity and elastography were included in the analysis. TNBCs had a higher histologic grade and Ki-67 level. On ultrasound, TNBCs often appeared as microlobulated, markedly hypo-echoic masses with an abrupt interface boundary, posterior acoustic enhancement, absence of calcifications and more characteristics of surrounding tissue. Results from multivariate regression analysis revealed that margin, posterior acoustic features and surrounding tissue features of tumors were independent predictive factors in differentiating TNBCs from HR-positive/HER-2-negative tumors. Our results suggest that a thorough evaluation of sonographic findings might be useful in discriminating between TNBCs and HR-positive/HER-2-negative tumors, which may provide accurate evidence for clinical early diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study investigates a novel hydrogel synthesis method and its bio‐release property. This hydrogel, with a three‐dimensional network structure based on Auricularia polytricha β‐glucan, was characterised by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1H NMR and scanning electron microscopy. Vitamin B12 (VB12, cobalamin) as a hydrophilic functional food component was entrapped into these hydrogels. The in vitro release profile of VB12 was established in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF). RESULTS: The results showed that the hydrogel had medium pore size from 30 to 300 µm, and the swelling ratio increased with the degree of substitution. The hydrogel demonstrated good stability in SGF and bio‐release capability in SIF for VB12. The accumulated release rate is about 80% in SIF and below 20% in SGF, which indicated the significant different release property in stomach and intestine. CONCLUSION: The Auricularia polytricha β‐glucan‐based hydrogel has a good swelling ratio, pepsin stability and pancrelipase‐catalysed biodegradation property. The bio‐release rate is significantly different in SIF and SGF, which indicated that this hydrogel could be a good intestinal target carrier of VB12. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of integrating the cold energy storage system and the electrical energy storage system in a refrigerated warehouse for shifting the power consumption. A dynamic model has been developed in TRNSYS®. Based on the dynamic simulation, the performance and benefit of those two types of energy storage systems were compared. Results showed that, the integration of a cold energy storage can reduce the electricity consumption and operational cost by 4.3% and 20.5%, respectively. Even though integrating a battery system will increase the electricity consumption by 3.9%, it can reduce the operational cost by 18.7%. The capacity of the energy storage systems, the battery price and the peak electricity price had been identified as key parameters affecting the performance and benefit. To achieve a payback period less than 3 year, for the integration of a cold energy storage system, the peak electricity price should be increased by 25% from the current level, while for the integration of a battery system, the battery price should drop to 0.7 kRMB/kWh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracellular ice formation (IIF) is the major cause of death in cells subjected to freezing. The occurrence of intracellular ice prevents the penetration of light into the camera and makes the image dark. Therefore, the gray-level variation can reflect the IIF. However, cell deformation is accompanied with IIF, especially for larger cells. It is necessary to account this entire phenomenon together in a single method. In this paper, the normalized parameter C defined by the gray-level variation depending on the displacement was defined to reflect the gray-level change of each pixel point in the region of interest of the image. The process of IIF of onion epidermal cells and 293T cells was analyzed by this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies a single machine scheduling problem with periodic maintenance, in which processing time and repair time are nondeterministic. In order to deal with nondeterministic phenomena, uncertainty theory is introduced to minimize the makespan under an uncertain environment. Three uncertain programming models are proposed, which can be converted into deterministic forms based on the uncertainty inverse distribution. List scheduling (LS) and longest processing time (LPT) algorithms are employed to solve the problem. It is proved that the two algorithms have the same worst cast ratio under different confidence levels and the LPT algorithm has a better performance bound. A hybrid intelligent algorithm for the problem is designed and some numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed models and algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The distribution of mycorrhizal associations across biomes parallels a distinct gradient of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks, raising the question of how mycorrhizal traits relate to ecosystem properties. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (EM) hosts and fungi employ contrasting strategies for N acquisition, which may manifest in differences in soil C and N pools and/or soil C:N. However, cross‐biome comparisons are confounded with climatic and edaphic gradients as well as phylogenetic and functional trait distributions of component plant species. Here, we test emerging hypotheses that soil C, N and C:N are related to the dominance of EM trees within a temperate forest region where AM and EM trees largely coexist but vary in local abundance. To determine the importance of mycorrhizal type on soil C and N, we analysed data from c. 1,000 forest inventory plots in the eastern United States. For each plot, we quantified the dominance of trees with different mycorrhizal associations and accounted for potentially confounding variables including phylogeny (angiosperm or gymnosperm), leaf N, soil clay content and climate. We used hierarchical Bayesian models to determine how these variables explained the patterns of soil C and N in the forest floor and mineral soil layers. Increasing EM dominance was associated with higher C:N across all soil layers. This relationship remained even after accounting for tree phylogeny, leaf N content, soil clay content, temperature and precipitation, which were all important for explaining soil C:N. However, this mycorrhizal pattern of soil C:N was not related to increases in soil C content; rather, increasing EM dominance was associated with reductions in soil N. Synthesis. Our findings are consistent with the proposition that mycorrhizal associations are related to terrestrial ecosystem properties. The mycorrhizal effect on soil C:N may result from differences in how arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal plants interact with their fungal symbionts, decomposers and organic matter, to sustain differential cycling of C and N. Alternatively, these patterns could arise from differential success of the two mycorrhizal types in contrasting soil conditions; both processes may occur simultaneously, leading to a self‐reinforcing positive feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The factors affecting intracellular ice formation (IIF) and growth is essential to the mechanistic understanding of cellular damage through freezing. In the aid of high speed and high-resolution cryo-imaging technology, the broad bean intracellular ice formation and growth processes were successfully captured during freezing. Cytochalasin B（CB）was used to solubilize the cytoskeleton. Images of IIF were compared between cells with and without cytoskeleton. The behavior of intracellular ice crystal formation in plant tissues with or without CB was evaluated using changes of cell areas, the probability of crystallization, and growing rate of intracellular ice crystal. Moreover, light intensity figures were used to determine cell damage. This study showed that the cytoskeleton was involved in ice crystal nucleation mechanism during freezing responses of the plant cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ratoon stunt is a very important disease affecting sugar cane that is caused by the bacterium Leifsonia xyli subsp. xyli ( Lxx). We inoculated cuttings of the sugar cane varieties Badila and GT11 with Lxx to investigate the effects of this disease on their growth, physiological characteristics and associated gene differential expression, sampling after 150, 180 and 210 days following treatment. In addition, to further explore the colonization of this bacterium at transcription and translation levels, we designed a number of primers from the sequence of an Lxx-specific gene and performed quantitative real-time PCR ( qRT- PCR) for Lxx18460 to detect accumulation in plants. Total proteins from diseased plants were detected using Western blotting with an Lxx-specific gene monoclonal antibody. The results of this study show that bacterial levels gradually increased with plant growth following inoculation. Specifically, plant height, stalk diameter, single stalk weight and water potential all decreased as a result of ratoon stunt infection, while membrane permeability and amino acid content increased in Lxx-infected plants compared to the control. The expression of PAL, ZFP and NBS- LRR genes all also increased in plants subject to ratoon stunt stress; this result suggests that these genes are involved in sugar cane responses to Lxx infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development zones have been an important spatial approach to promoting economic development since China's reform and opening-up. They have also been major contributors to the processes of China's industrialization and urbanization. Along with improvements in the worldwide industrial division of labor and the gradual implementation of China's development zones' Go Global strategy, it is necessary for Africa, a hot spot of global industrialization in recent years, to learn from China's development zone model. By attracting China's capital, technology and enterprises to Africa via Sino-African co-built development zones, a pattern of high complementarity and mutual development between China and Africa can be formed which does favor further improvement of the global industrial division of labor. In order to study the applicability and prospect of China's development zone model in Africa as per the above-mentioned international situation, this paper first sorts out the development course of China's development zones and discusses their roles in China's industrialization and urbanization. Subsequently, this paper analyzes the status quo of industrial development in Africa as a whole and the differences in industrial development between China and Africa, aiming to justify the timing of industrial transfer from China to Africa by constructing Sino-African co-built development zones. Lastly, this paper analyzes the current situation of six Sino-African co-built development zones by focusing on their operation modes, industry types and investment promotion models. In the authors' view, Sino-African co-built development zones can function as a new window of China-African cooperation, a new carrier of African industrialization, and a new engine of global industrial restructuring. China should adhere to the general principles of 'Sino-African Integration, Multi-Cooperation, Mutual Benefit, Scientific Location, Systematic Planning, Cluster Growth and Open Development' in the planning and construction of development zones in Africa, effectively promoting Africa as the very important part of the global industry system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical velocity and smoke back-layering length are two of the determining parameters to the fire risk assessment of subway tunnel. These two parameters of a sloping subway tunnel with train blockage were investigated both experimentally and numerically in this paper. To address the influences of slope, the slopes of 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15% in downhill subway tunnel were studied and the height ( H) of the tunnel was replaced by the inclined tunnel height ( $$ H/\cos \theta $$ ). The train model with a dimension of 2 m (length) × 0.3 m (width) × 0.38 m (height) was also chosen in simulations and experiments for the tunnel blockage. Thenceforward, 30 reduced-scale experimental and 150 numerical scenarios were analyzed to predict the critical velocity and smoke back-layering length in various sloping subway tunnels. Six different heat release rates including 5.58, 11.17, 16.67, 22.35, 27.94, and 33.52 kW were considered in the experiments and five different heat release rates including 2.79, 5.58, 8.38, 11.17 and 16.67 kW were considered in the simulations. Based on the comparison in the horizontal tunnel, numerical results were quite consistent with the experiments. The results showed that train blockage influenced the smoke back-layering length, and the critical velocity increases with the tunnel slope. Finally, empirical models were developed to predict the critical velocity and smoke back-layering length in a sloping subway tunnel with train blockage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooling system consumes more than 35% of total electricity in most data centers. The provided cooling normally exceeds the actual demand of IT equipment in order to assure the safe operation, resulting in a low energy efficiency. In this paper, a novel method based on demand response was proposed to precisely control the cooling supply, and the energy saving potential was assessed systematically. Compared to the reference case, in which the cooling demand is determined by assuming all of servers are in the running status, when the cooling demand was determined based on the measured dynamic IT load at room level, row level, rack level and server level, it can be reduced by 7.9%, 14.2%, 15.6% and 17.9% respectively for the random selected 48 h. In addition, IT load shifting also has a big potential to save energy, as it can make the cooling system working at a higher energy efficiency, which varies with loads. Two cases were studied: even distribution of IT load and optimized IT load shifting. Compared to the best case that determines the cooling demand according to the IT load at server level, they can further reduce the electricity consumption of cooling systems by 0.9%, and 1.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ocular myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease, is characterized by extraocular muscle weakness. Myasthenia gravis is closely associated with the functional status of the thymus gland. The efficacy of thymectomy for non-thymomatous ocular myasthenia gravis remains controversial. Here, we present the first systematic review and meta-analysis of studies assessing the outcome of thymectomy in patients with non-thymomatous ocular myasthenia gravis and found that the pooled rate of complete stable remission was 0.5074 with considerable heterogeneity. Furthermore, subgroup analysis showed that the efficacy of thymectomy differed according to geographical location. Furthermore, thymectomy outcomes are better in children than they are in adults. Thymectomy clearly represents an effective treatment for patients with non-thymomatous ocular myasthenia gravis. However, more multicenter, randomized, controlled clinical trials are now required to confirm these conclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel polysulfone (PSf) with pendant tertiary amine groups was synthesized and this functionalized PSf could be further crosslinked based on a facile reaction between tertiary amine and 1,3-dibromopropane (DBP). The synthesis of this new polymer and the occurrence of the crosslinking reaction were evidenced by FTIR, 1 H NMR and solid state 13 C NMR spectroscopy. The crosslinked PSf and sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) were mixed together to fabricate ultrafiltration membranes by the phase inversion method. All the composite membranes exhibited improved hydrophilicity over the pristine PSf membrane, attributed to the presence of sulfonic acid groups and / or quaternary ammonium groups. The crosslinked membrane demonstrated superior permeability and antifouling properties than the uncrosslinked membrane due to the conversion of tertiary amine groups to more hydrophilic quaternary ammonium groups. In particular, the membrane with crosslinked PSf∶SPEEK ratio of 1∶1 showed the most favorable performance, including almost 3.5 times of pure water flux of the pristine PSf membrane and 97% of flux recovery ratio. Meanwhile, the crosslinked membrane maintained superior dimensional stability and mechanical properties compared to the uncrosslinked membrane, which is a major challenge faced by highly hydrophilic polymers, because of the restricted molecular chain movement caused by the crosslinking network and electrostatic interaction. All the resultant membranes were fully characterized, including surface properties, morphologies, mechanical strength, thermal stability, permeability, and antifouling properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design and self-assembly of graphene oxide (GO)-based hierarchical composite gels have attracting numerous attentions due to wide applications in nanomaterial and environmental fields. In this research work, a facile strategy is demonstrated to prepare chemically modified graphene oxide-poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (GO-PEG) composite hydrogels by thiol-ene photopolymerization. The photopolymerization process between thiol groups on GO surface and ene segments in soluble PEG derivatives is critically predominant for the formation of composite hydrogels. The obtained composite hydrogels show good removal capacities and fit in pseudo-second-order model for used three model dyes. Thus, the present obtained GO-PEG composite hydrogels constructed by thiol-ene photopolymerization via eco-friendly prepared manner demonstrate new clues for preparing GO-based composite hydrogels and soft matter towards wastewater treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]