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Two kinds of Darboux-Bäcklund transformations (DBTs) are constructed for the q-deformed Nth KdV hierarchy with self-consistent sources (q-NKdVHSCS) by using the q-deformed pseudodifferential operators. Note that one of the DBTs provides a nonauto Bäcklund transformation for two q-deformed Nth KdV equations with self-consistent sources (q-NKdVESCS) with different degree. In addition, the soliton solution to the first nontrivial equation of q-KdVHSCS is also obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The relationship between depressive symptoms and retirement remains controversial. Thus, we aimed to explore the effect of retirement on individuals' depressive symptoms in Chinese employees. Methods: In this panel data analysis, a data set from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2018 was adopted with a total of 1390 employees aged ≥ 45-years-old who had complete follow-up for the four waves. Random-effects logistic regression was used to examine the associations between retirement and depressive symptoms. Results: After adjusting several socio-demographic variables, retirement still increases the risk of depressive symptoms in the retirees (odds ratio 1.5, 95% CI 1.14–1.97). Through subgroup analysis, we found that people who are male, with lower education level, married, living in rural areas, suffering from chronic diseases, and those who do not participate in social activities are more likely to experience depression after retirement. Conclusions: Retirement can increase the depression risk of Chinese employees. It is necessary to formulate relevant supporting policies to reduce the risk of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eleven mango cultivars which were cultivated popularly in China were selected as materials in this study. The ascorbic acid, α-tocopherol, total carotenoid, total ployphenol, total flavonoid, and mangiferin contents, and in vitro antioxidant capability of the fruit pulp were tested for comparison of individual cultivars. Comparisons of parameters were further conducted after dividing all cultivars into three groups, i.e., red (Zill, Zillate, Renong No. 2, Keitt and Lippens), green (Guire No. 82, Yuexi No. 1 and Zihua) and yellow (Chunhuang, Renong No. 1 and Tainong No. 1) in peel color. The results showed that antioxidant contents and in vitro antioxidant capabilities varied among cultivars and among groups. Guire No. 82 had the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid contents; Renong No. 1 showed a dramatically large value of α-tocopherol content; and green peel mangoes accounted for higher ascorbic acid, total polyphenol, total flavonoid contents, and total in vitro antioxidant capability. Besides, correlation analysis and principal component regression analysis indicated that antioxidants (except α-tocopherol) were positively correlated to total in vitro antioxidant capacity; polyphenolic chemicals were deemed to be one of the most critical factors affecting on total in vitro antioxidant capability. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The dispersionless Kadomtsev-Petviashvili hierarchy is generalized by introducing two new time series γ n and σ k with two parameters η n and λ k. By this hierarchy, we obtain the first type, the second type as well as mixed type of dispersionless Kadomtsev-Petviashvili equation with self-consistent sources and their related conservation equations. In addition, the reduction and constrained flow of this new hierarchy are studied. The first type, the second type and the mixed type of dispersionless Korteweg-de Vries equation with self-consistent sources and of dispersionless Boussinesq equation with self-consistent sources are obtained. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new cloud-fog computing (CFC) framework has been developed for SMG energy management and operation. • An evolutionary algorithm has been utilized to balance the load among SMG, user demands, and service providers. • The proposed GWOA has been compared with well-known techniques to show the effectiveness and excellence of the proposed framework and technique. Smart Microgrid (SMG) has been proposed to increase the stability, efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of power services. Along with these advantages, there exists the main security challenge in SMG operation which is due to the wide use of smart equipment, e.g., smart metering devices. Also, there is a significant challenge in the processing of the huge amount of data retrieved from these metering types of equipment. To overcome these challenges, in this paper, a new cloud-fog computing (CFC) framework has been developed for SMG energy management and operation to provide the necessary functions for the real-time operation of the SMG. Indeed, the proposed framework can take advantage of the cloud computing technique, e.g., cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, flexibility, high computational and convergence speed, and scalability. Moreover, in this paper, various load balancing techniques have been applied to increase the efficiency of cloud computing. Also, a newly evolutionary algorithm, known as the gray Wolf optimization algorithm (GWOA) has been utilized to balance the load among SMG, user demands, and service providers. Finally, the proposed GWOA has been compared with well-known techniques to show the effectiveness and excellence of the proposed framework and technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hydroponic experiment was conducted in a greenhouse to study the effect of cadmium (Cd) on uptake, accumulation, and distribution of three microelements [zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and iron (Fe)] in cotton during ontogenesis and their difference among genotypes, using 3 genotypes with different Cd tolerances: Zhongmian 16, Zhongmian 16-2 (relatively tolerant-genotypes); and Simian 3 (relatively sensitive-genotype) and treated with 4 Cd concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, and 10 μM). Cadmium concentration in various organs was in the order: root> petiole > xylem > fruiting branch, leaf> phloem in vegetative organs; and in the order: seed coat, seed nut> boll shell > fiber in reproductive organs, respectively. There were no significant differences in Zn, Cu, and Fe concentrations of functional leaves and petioles between 0, 0.1, and 1 μM Cd treatments, while a significant increase with highly significant genotypic difference was observed in 10 μM Cd. treatment, when compared with the control. A significant reduction in aboveground vegetative organs and increase in roots were observed for Zn concentration of cotton plants exposed to 1 or 10 μM Cd. The reduction or increase in Zn concentration by Cd differs significantly among the 3 genotypes. One and 10 μM Cd lowered Zn, Cu, and Fe concentrations in aboveground vegetative organs, while increasing concentrations in root, implying that the translocation of these elements from roots to shoots was prevented by Cd treatments. Cadmium treatment did not affect Zn, Cu, and Fe concentration in seed coat, seed, and fiber, while it decreased concentrations in boll shell for all genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is one of the herpes viruses that can infect a wide range of animals including pigs, cattle, sheep, mice, and wild animals. PRV is a neurotropic alphaherpesvirus capable of infecting a variety of mammals. There is a rising interest in the targeted application of probiotic bacteria to prevent viral diseases, including PRV. In this study, the surface expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) on recombinant Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NC8 (rNC8) through the LP3065 LPxTG motif of Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 was generated. The surface expression was observed through confocal microscopy. Dendritic cell targeting peptides (DCpep) were also fused with LPxTG that help to bind with mouse DCs. The PRV-gD was cloned in LP3065 LPxTG, resulting in the generation of rNC8-LP3065-gD. Inactivated rNC8-LP3065-gD was administered intravenously in mice on days 1 and 7 at a dose of 200 µL (109 CFU/mouse) for monitoring immunogenicity. Subsequently, a challenge dose of PRV TJ (104 TCID50) was administered intramuscularly at 14 days post-immunization. The survival rate of the immunized mice reached 80% (4/5) with no significant signs of illness. A significant rise in anti-gD antibodies was detected in the immunized mice by ELISA. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) results showed decreased viral loading in different body tissues. Flow cytometry of lymphocytes derived from mice spleen indicated an increase in CD3+CD4+ T cells, but CD3+CD8+ T cells were not detected. Moreover, it offers a model to delineate immune correlates with rNC8-induced immunity against swine viral diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic osteoporosis (DOP) is a serious complication of diabetes, which brings a heavy burden to patients' families and society. The SDF-1/CXCR4 signal pathway may be a target to prevent articular cartilage degeneration. In this study, we studied the effects of high glucose (20 mmol/L) and CXCR4 antagonist AMD3465 (10 μmol/L) on the apoptosis and gene expression of osteoblast-like cells MG63 to determine a new treatment for DOP. CCK8 and clone formation assays confirmed that AMD3465 resisted the decrease of proliferation caused by high glucose. According to the results of scratch and transwell analysis, AMD3465 could remedy the decrease of cell migration and invasion induced by high glucose. The results of flow cytometry analysis and double staining with Hoechst and PI showed AMD3465 corrected the apoptosis induced by high glucose. In addition, high glucose regulated the expression of cell cycle- and apoptosis-related proteins, while AMD3465 blocked the regulation of high glucose. Furthermore, high glucose enhanced the expression levels of SDF-1 and CXCR4 in MG63 cells, as well as the release of MMP1, 3, 9 and 13. AMD3465 inhibited the release of MMPs. The results showed that AMD3465 resisted the apoptosis of MG63 cells induced by high glucose, provided a new strategy for the therapy of DOP. • AMD3465 on MG63 cells apoptosis. • AMD3465 on MMPs release. • A new treatment for DOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]