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Ytterbium triflate was immobilized on SBA-15 via chemical grafting and co-condensation and the catalytic performance of the immobilized ytterbium triflate for the selective conversion of glucose into lactic acid was investigated in this paper. The characterization results showed that ytterbium triflate was immobilized on SBA-15 successfully. It was found that the immobilized ytterbium triflate catalyst can catalyze the transformation of glucose into lactic acid effectively. The 58.01% yield of lactic acid was obtained from glucose at 200 °C. The HPLC analysis results of the products showed that the glyceraldehyde might act as an intermediate for the formation of lactic acid during the reaction. The immobilized ytterbium triflate catalyst was recycled for more than five times without noticeable loss in activity.

Neuroinflammation has been implicated as an important factor in the neurodegenerative diseases, and multiple candidates with anti-inflammatory effects have been shown to be beneficial for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Our previous study demonstrated that a novel synthetic phloroglucinol derivative from Lysidice rhodostegia roots (code name: Compound 21) exerted neuroprotective effect through suppressing neuroinflammation. The aim of this study was to reveal the underlying molecular mechanism. The results indicated that the anti-inflammatory effects of Compound 21 were mediated through suppression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activation and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Further study showed that this suppression on NADPH oxidase was mediated by inhibiting the translocation and activity of its subunit Rac1. It is well established that Rac1 activation is regulated by a variety of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs), so we tried to find out whether GEFs were involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of Compound 21. The results showed that Compound 21 treatment down-regulated the expression and activity of GEF Kalirin, thus modulating the activity of Rac1 GTPase. Altogether, our data suggested that Compound 21 exerted the anti-neuroinflammatory effect through suppressing Kalirin signaling pathways, decreasing Rac1-NADPH oxidase activation and the subsequent pro-inflammatory cytokine production. The present study provided solid evidence to support Compound 21 as a potential candidate of neuroinflammatory inhibitor. Moreover, our findings have shed new light on the role of Rac1 and GEF Kalirin in neuroinflammation, which provides potential targets for neuroinflammation-related diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases.

Abstract Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the main cause of end stage kidney disease(ESKD) and It has become a heavy economic and social burden due to its high prevalence and morbidity. However, the current therapies for DKD are not entirely perfect. The most effective strategy is that patients with DKD should be diagnosed and treated early. Preliminary studies showed the Chinese herbal Tangshen Formula(TSF) may delay the progression of DKD, reducing micro-and macro-albuminuria, improving renal function. This trial was conducted to assess the effectiveness and safety of TSF used in combination with conventional treatment. Methods/design: We are implementing a randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter, clinical trial as a means of evaluating the effectiveness and safety of TSF. 623 participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to an experiment group (TSF plus Losartan) and a control group (placebo plus Losartan). The trial cycle lasts 24 weeks. The primary outcome will be changes in ACR from baseline to 24 weeks between the two groups and ACR will be compared at baseline and treatment endpoint in each group. The secondary outcome will be changes in the ratio of progression into the clinical proteinuria period after intervention, Urine micro albumin negative conversion rate, the ratio of normal urinary micro albumin, doubling rate of baseline creatinine value and GFR between the two groups. Safety in medication will also be evaluated. Discussion: We hypothesize that type 2 diabetic patients in early stage of DKD will benefit from TSF. If successful, this study will provide an evidence-based complementary remedies for delaying the progression of DKD. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03009864) Keywords: Diabetes Kidney Disease, Traditional Chinese medicine, Treatment, Clinical trials，Randomized controlled trial

Following the initial trajectory planning research on Integrated Symmetrical Concentrated architecture (ISC) which is a kind of a space solar power station (SSPS), a new trajectory optimization scheme adopting dynamic programming is presented, which combines the joint energy consumption with particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. The advantage of the optimizing scheme can mitigate the difficulty in regulation and control due to the inertia shock of huge spatial structure during the course of solar-tracking, also it can balance the relationship between energy consuming and concentration efficiency. Firstly, the theory of energy-time integral in velocity space is given for this nonholonomic system; secondly, the angular positions of the joint are expressed as a set of spline interpolating functions expressed by piecewise 4-3-3-4 polynomial interpolation; then the dynamic programming is proposed which is realized by PSO searching algorithm; finally, a geometric method is proposed to analyze the relationship between the optimized position deviation and concentration efficiency, simulation results illustrate that the proposed optimization scheme can great mitigate the velocity sudden change and satisfy the required concentration efficiency. The proposed trajectory optimization strategy has practical engineering value for huge spatial structure especial in mechanism joint accelerant motion.

Sepsis remains a major clinical problem with high morbidity and mortality. Interleukin (IL)-33 is a recently described member of the IL-1 family that is widely expressed and functions as a new inflammatory mediator. IL-33 has been reported to protect sepsis, but the underlying mechanisms are not well-elucidated. We measured the interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production in septic mice after IL-33 treatment. IL-33 treatment enhanced the IFN-γ level in blood and promoted mice’s survival, so the protective effects of IL-33 depend on IFN-γ. The IL-33 treatment also promoted both γδ T cells and NK cells in septic mice. Our data showed that IL-33 attenuates mortality by promoting IFN-γ production in sepsis.

The activation of microglial NADPH oxidase (NOX2) induced by α-synuclein has been implicated in Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies. However, how α-synuclein activates NOX2 remains unclear. Previous study revealed that both toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and integrin play important roles in α-synuclein-induced microglial activation. In this study, we found that blocking CD11b, the α chain of integrin αMβ2, but not TLR2 attenuated α-synuclein-induced NOX2 activation in microglia. The involvement of CD11b in α-synuclein-induced activation of NOX2 was further confirmed in CD11b-/- microglia by showing reduced membrane translocation of NOX2 cytosolic subunit p47phox and superoxide production. Mechanistically, α-synuclein bound to CD11b and subsequently activated Rho signaling pathway. α-Synuclein induced activation of RhoA and downstream ROCK but not Rac1 in a CD11b-dependent manner. Moreover, siRNA-mediated knockdown of RhoA impeded NOX2 activation in response to α-synuclein. Furthermore, we found that inhibition of NOX2 failed to interfere with the activation of RhoA signaling and interactions between α-synuclein and CD11b, further confirming that NOX2 was the downstream target of CD11b. Finally, we found that genetic deletion of CD11b abrogated α-synuclein-induced NOX2 activatoin in vivo. Taken together, our results indicated that integrin CD11b mediates α-synuclein-induced NOX2 activation through a RhoA-dependent pathway, providing not only a novel mechanistic insight but also a new potential therapeutic target for synucleinopathies., Graphical abstract fx1, Highlights • Blocking CD11b, the α chain of integrin αMβ2, but not TLR2 attenuates α-synuclein-induced NOX2 activation. • α-Synuclein binds to CD11b. • CD11b regulates NOX2 activation induced by α-synuclein through a RhoA-dependent pathway.

A series of color-tunable NaBa1−zSrzB9O15:Ce3+,Mn2+ phosphors were synthesized by a high temperature solid state method. Luminescence property, energy transfer, thermal stability and cation substitution were investigated in detail. Due to energy transfer, NaBaB9O15:Ce3+,Mn2+ presents violet to green luminescence and manifest a broad excitation range from 200 to 350 nm. The energy transfer mechanism of Ce3+–Mn2+ is identified as a dipole–dipole interaction. NaBa1−zSrzB9O15:Ce3+,Mn2+ displays both Ce3+ violet and Mn2+ green and orange emissions under ultraviolet excitation. It is observed that Sr2+ partial substitution for Ba2+ could adjust the ratio of Mn2+ emission intensity in different cation sites, which results from preferred sites’ occupation with modification of the crystal structure. Furthermore, increase in temperature can enhance the energy transfer from Ce3+ to Mn2+, which enhances the Mn2+ emission intensity sharply. The highly thermal-sensitive property of NaBa1−zSrzB9O15:Ce3+,Mn2+ makes it feasible for its potential application in luminescent ratiometric thermometers with wide temperature range.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the world. Although the exact causes of AD have not yet been fully elucidated, cholinergic dysfunction, mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation have been recognized as influential factors. Current drugs that are designed to address only a single target are unable to mitigate or prevent the progression of this complicated disease, so new disease-modifying drugs are urgently needed. Chinese herbs with thousand years of effective usage might be a good source for potential drugs. Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis (Fructus Gardenia) is a common traditional Chinese medicine with tranquilizing effects, which is an important component of widely-used traditional Chinese medicine for dementia. GJ-4 is crocin richments extracted from Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis. In our study, we attempted to observe the effects of GJ-4 on learning and memory injury induced by amyloid-[Formula: see text] 25-35 (A[Formula: see text] injection in mice. Treatment with GJ-4 dose-dependently enhanced the memory and cognition ability of A[Formula: see text]-injected mice. Preliminary mechanistic studies revealed the protective effect of GJ-4 was related to its protection of neurons and cholinergic dysfunction. The mechanistic results also indicated that GJ-4 could enhance antioxidant capacity and attenuate neuroinflammation. Our results implied that GJ-4 might be a promising drug to improve cognitive and memory impairment, with multiple targets.

Background This article aims to explore whether ursolic acid (UA) inhibits the progression of retinoblastoma (Rb) by regulating stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD). Methods The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used to filter the chip, then the GEO2R software was used to analyze the microarray data (GSE97508, GSE24673, and GSE110811). Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to analyze the relationship between the expression level of SCD and the proliferation, migration, invasion, and inflammation in Rb patients. SO-RB50 and Y79 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed by the CCK-8 assay, the colony formation assay, the Transwell assay, and the wound scratch test. The protein expression levels of SCD were measured by western blot. The mRNA expression levels of IL-8, IL-6, CXCL1, and CCL2 were measured by RT-qPCR. The protein expression levels of IL-8 and IL-6 were measured by ELISA. A xenograft nude mouse model was established to evaluate the effect of UA on tumor growth in male BALB/c mice. Results The expression levels of SCD were related to cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and inflammation. UA inhibited SO-RB50 and Y79 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. At the same time, UA suppressed tumor growth in the xenograft nude mouse model. Overexpression of SCD promoted SO-RB50 and Y79 cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and inflammation, while SCD knockout inhibited SO-RB50 and Y79 cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and inflammation. Importantly, UA inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Rb cells through SCD inhibition. Conclusions UA inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of Rb cells through SCD. This provides a new scientific basis for targeted therapy of Rb.

Two-dimensional velocity fields for turbulent channel flows of water and 50 ppm CTAC/NaSal (cetyltrimethyl ammonium chloride/sodium salicylate) solution were experimentally obtained by particle image velocimetry. Multi-scale decompositions of the fluctuating velocity signals were performed by two-dimensional binary orthogonal discrete wavelet to analyze the influence of surfactant additives on the multi-scale characteristics of turbulent channel flow. From the results of wavelet multi-scale decompositions, it can be observed that the quantity of coherent structures near the wall in CTAC solution flow is decreased obviously. The results of the flatness factor show that the addition of drag-reducing additives inhibits the intermittency in turbulence. By analyzing the distribution of local intermittence measure and local Reynolds shear measure, it is found that the intermittency mainly concentrates near the wall, and the intermittent region distinctly reduces in CTAC solution flow compared with that in water flow. By combining the analysis of the motion of coherent structures in turbulent channel flow, it is shown that surfactant additives mainly and distinctly impact the coherent structures near the wall, especially in the viscous layer.

Generally, 6s electron and 6p electron of Bi3+ ions are located in its outermost layer; thus, luminescence properties of Bi3+ are strongly associated with the coordination environment around Bi3+. Bi3+ ions occupy different cationic positions in hosts, which may cause the movement of the emission spectrum. In order to investigate the luminescent property of Bi3+, a series of Bi3+ doped Ca5(BO3)3F species are synthesized. There are three types of Ca2+ sites in the host, which could be substituted by Bi3+. Upon the 322 nm excitation of Bi3+, a broad emission band can be observed, which is ascribed to the 1s0 → 3p1 transition of Bi3+. Meanwhile, there is the emission shift of Ca5(BO3)3F:xBi3+, and its emission color can be altered from blue to cyan. It may result from Bi3+ occupying different positions of Ca2+ in the host, which can give rise to different degrees of a nephelauxetic effect and crystal field splitting. In order to explore the relationship between the luminescence properties of Bi3+ and the nep...

High nickel layered oxides (LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2, NMC811) demonstrate high capacity (≥ 200 mA h/g) and low cost, making them increasingly attractive as a high energy active cathode to replace LiCoO2 or LiFePO4 for lithium ion batteries. Nevertheless, their large scale practical applications are still inhibited by the low structural stability, insufficient rate capability and cyclability. In this work, a stable and safe LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode was synthesized by facile oxalic acid assisted co-precipitation method. Boric acid has been chosen and utilized as a co-sintering agent to enhance the electrochemical performance via fine tuning internal interplanar space between transition metal oxide (003) layers. The B03 sample with 3.0 at% of boron doping exhibited a sustainable reversible capacity as high as 220 mA h g−1 with approximate 97% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 0.5 C charging/discharging rate. It also delivered 93 mA h/g under 10 C rate testing. In the long-term cycling test, this B03-NMC 811 cathode demonstrated 83% capacity retention after 300 cycles at 5 C cycling test. Appropriate adding of boron not only enhanced their C-rate capability and cyclability but also improved their structural stability during repetitive charging and discharging process through ex situ XRD measurement. The c axis variation of B03-NMC 811 cathode between 3.7 V and 4.3 V was reduced by 7.6% (0.014 A) as compared to the pristine one. However, larger quantity (5.0 at%) of boron degrades the electrochemical performance induced by increased Li/Ni disorder. Thereafter, this enhancement in both electrochemical performance and structural stability benefits from the optimized interplanar space between transition metal oxide (003) layers, which can be tuned precisely by such a simple but novel co-sintering process with boric acid. This approach opens the door to structural modification and optimization of NMC811 cathode to satisfy the demanding performance and safety requirements of electric vehicles.

Full-spectrum plant growth light emitting diode (LED) prepared using a variety of phosphors has some problems, such as energy loss and spectral distortion. It is the solution that designing a kind of phosphor, which is the single activated ion doped phosphor with the multiple emission. To achieve this goal, the host Mg2Y2Al2Si2O12 (Abbreviated as: MYASO) was selected from a large number of garnet materials which has the multi-sites, and the Mn2+ was selected as the activated ion which can produce the different emission in the different crystal field. The results show that Mn2+ can produce the green light (536 nm), red light (635 nm) and deep red light (735 nm), which correspond to the Mn2+ substituting for the tetra-coordinated Al3+, the octa-coordinated Mg2+ and the hexa-coordinated Mg2+, respectively, importantly, this phosphor can be efficiently excited by the 456 nm blue light, which matches well with the blue LED chip. Therefore, it may be a great potential application value in the production of plant growth LEDs.

In July 2017, Russia formally offered an invitation to build the Polar Silk Road (PSR) to China. Then, the White Paper of China's Arctic Policy was officially published in January 2018. It proposes the joint construction of the PSR to promote sustainable economic and social development in the Arctic region. Notably, the PSR aims to open up China's maritime trade route through the Arctic to Northwest Europe and influence the container hinterland pattern of China's coastal ports. This study assumes three scenarios to analyse and predict the evolution of the hinterlands of Chinese ports exporting to Europe under the PSR. The discrete selection model based on random utility is constructed to divide the dominant hinterland, probabilistic hinterland and major competitive hinterland of ports. The research shows that the cost and time, container throughput and risk have negative effects on a shipper's choice of port, whereas the sailing frequency has a positive effect. In general, the hinterlands of northern ports continue to expand under the PSR. Meanwhile, the hinterlands of the middle ports decrease first and then increase, and those of the southern ports contract. Overall, the northern ports are the most vulnerable to the changes of PSR attributes.

Summary This paper proposes a composite approach to implementing attitude tracking and active vibration control of a large space flexible truss system. The system dynamic model is based on Hamilton's principle and discretized using the finite difference method. A nonlinear attitude controller for position tracking is developed based on the input-output linearization of the discretized system, which can effectively improve system performance compared with a traditional proportional-differential feedback controller. A taut cable actuator scheme is presented to suppress tip vibration because the mechanical model is a large large-span spatial structure; furthermore, because the cable has the feature of unilateral input saturation constraint, which can provide only a pulling force, a nonlinear quadratic regulator controller is developed by introducing a piecewise nonquadratic cost function to suppress the vibration of the flexible structure. To investigate the factors that influence the damping effects of the cable, the parametrically excited instability of a cable under 2 supports is analyzed. Simulation results illustrate that the proposed attitude controller can implement the task of position tracking, and the vibration suppression control law is shown to be optimal for functional performance with input saturation.

Background To investigate the effects and involved mechanisms of the modified Yi Qi decoction (MYQ) in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion (IR) induced injury. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to a 30-min coronary arterial occlusion followed by reperfusion, low or high dose decoction of MYQ was administrated orally for 1 week or 1 month. Results Both in 1 week and 1 month IR rat groups, cardiac function indexes were significantly impaired compared with sham group rats, accompanied with higher ratio of infarct size to risk size, decreased expressions of sodium calcium exchanger (NCX1) and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (Serca2a), and different expressions of autophagic proteins, Beclin-1 and LC3. Treatment with MYQ (low or high dose) for 1 week showed no marked beneficial effects on cardiac function and cardiac injury (ratio of infarct size to risk size), although expressions of anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, NCX1 and Serca2a were increased. Treatment with MYQ (low or high dose) for 1 month showed significantly improved effects on cardiac function and cardiac injury (ratio of infarct size to risk size), accompanied with increase of Bcl-2, NCX1 and Serca2a expressions, and decrease of Bax (a pro-apoptotic protein) and Beclin-1 expressions. Conclusions The results show that MYQ have potential therapeutic effects on IR-induced cardiac injury, which may be through regulation of apoptotic proteins, cytosolic Ca2+ handling proteins and autophagic proteins signal pathways.

To establish an animal model of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) that would replicate the pathological process of ACLF in humans, rats were administered porcine serum (PS) for 11 weeks. Liver fibrosis was determined by pathological and biochemical assessments. The animals then were injected with d-galactosamine (d-gal) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The survival times of animals with cirrhosis and ACLF were determined over 48 h. Other animals were killed at 0, 4, 8 and 12 h after administration of d-gal/LPS. Liver injury was assessed by histopathological analysis and biochemical indices, and apoptosis was detected by Western blot and TUNEL analysis. After PS administration for 11 weeks the serum levels of hyaluronic acid and N-procollagen type III peptide increased significantly, and serious fibrosis and cirrhosis was observed at weeks 10 and 11. Cirrhotic rats were injected with d-gal/LPS to induced ACLF; the rate of mortality over 48 h was 80%. ALT and AST levels increased markedly at 4 h, but decreased significantly at 8 and 12 h post-treatment. The total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and total bile acids levels increased markedly at 8 and 12 h. Clotting times, TNF-α and IL-6 levels increased significantly, except for 12 h post-treatment. Apoptosis, inflammation and necrosis were elevated as determined by hematoxylin-eosin staining and TUNEL assays. BCL-2 levels decreased significantly, While BAX levels increased significantly. Cytochrome c expression peaked at 8 h post-d-gal/LPS treatment. In conclusion, an ACLF model induced by PS and d-gal/LPS was established and the underlying mechanisms of ACLF development were explored., Graphical abstract A rat acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) model induced by porcine serum and d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide was established and underlying mechanisms of ACLF development were explored.fx1

Three new coumarin glycosides (1-3), together with three known compounds (4-6), have been obtained from the stems of Hydrangea paniculata Sieb. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic data and chemical evidence. In addition, compounds 1-3 were screened for their neuroprotective effects against serum deprivation-induced PC12 cell damage, hepatoprotective activities against DL-galactosamine-induced toxicity in HL-7702 cells and their ability to inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide production in the murine microglia BV2 cell line, but they were inactive.

Three new lupane-type triterpenoids (1-3), three new oleane-type triterpenoids (4-6), as well as two known compounds (7-8) were isolated from Euonymus carnosus. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analyses, including UV, IR, MS, and NMR experiments. The inhibitory on LPS-induced NO production in microglia BV2 cells of compounds 1-8 were also evaluated. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate abilities to inhibit NO production, with IC50 values of 5.99 and 8.47μM, respectively.

High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is a critical pro-inflammatory cytokine that contributes to the pathogenesis of various human diseases. FLZ, a squamosamide derivative, has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective effects in Parkinson's disease models and shows strong anti-inflammatory activity, while the precise mechanism remains unclear. Here, we investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of FLZ on HMGB1-mediated inflammatory responses. The effects of FLZ on HMGB1 release from microglial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide were first explored by Western blot assay and ELISA. Then, co-immunoprecipition was used to study FLZ's effect on the interaction between HMGB1 and its receptor TLR4. Finally, we employed HMGB1 to simulate pro-inflammatory responses and then studied the inhibitory effects of FLZ on its bioactivity. FLZ has a significant inhibitory effect on HMGB1 release while it exerts no inhibitory effect on the binding between HMGB1 and TLR4. After the recognition of HMGB1 by TLR4, NF-κB signaling pathway is activated. FLZ could efficaciously alleviate HMGB1-induced inflammatory responses via the suppression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. FLZ could inhibit HMGB1 release as well as HMGB1-induced inflammatory responses, HMGB1 might be one of the FLZ anti-inflammatory targets, and interfering at this inflammatory mediator may have benefit effects on neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.

Space solar power station (SSPS) is a comprehensive system that continuously collects solar energy in space and transmits it to ground with a wireless power transmission (WPT) system. These systems have great potential to provide large-scale energy. To increase the efficiency and reduce the weight and cost of the photovoltaic (PV) components, a huge light-weighted concentrator was introduced in the latest SSPS concepts, such as integrated symmetrical concentrator (ISC) and arbitrarily large phased array (ALPHA). However, for typical SSPS running in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), the sunlight direction varies with time, leading to a great challenge for concentrator design. In ISC, the two-dimensional mast is used to realize sun-tracking. However, a multi-thousand-ton structure is difficult to control precisely in space. For this reason, ALPHA comprises a large number of individually pointed thin-film reflectors to intercept sunlight, mounted on the non-moving structure. However, the real-time adjustment of the thousands of reflectors is still an open problem. Furthermore, the uniformity of the time of the power generation (UTPG) is another factor evaluating the system. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel concentrator based on zero-index metamaterial (ZIM) called Thin-film Energy Terminator (SSPS-TENT). This will aid the control of the massive reflectors while avoiding the rotation of the overall system, the control of the massive reflectors and the influence of the obliquity of the ecliptic. Also, an optimization design method is proposed to increase its solar energy collecting efficiency (ECE) and flux distribution (FD). The ray-tracing simulation results show that the ECE is more than 96% of the day. In terms of the FD, the uniformity varies from 0.3057 to 0.5748. Compared with ALPHA, the UTPG is more stable.

Catalytic ozonation is progressively becoming an attractive technique for quick water purification but efficient and stable catalysts remains elusive. Here we solvothermally synthesized highly-dispersed Co3O4 nanocrystals over microscale nitrogen-doping graphene (NG) nanosheets and tested it as a synthetic catalyst in the ozonation of phenol in aqueous solutions. Transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to determine its morphology, crystallinity, elemental composition and molecular bonds, respectively. The comparative experiments confirmed the highest catalytic activity and oxidation degree (AOSC) of Co3O4/NG among four nanocomposites (G, NG, Co3O4/G, and Co3O4/NG). Co3O4/NG also has exhibited the highest degradation rate: complete conversion of a near-saturated concentration of phenol (941.1 mg/L) was achieved within 30 min under ambient conditions with only a small dosage of Co3O4/NG (50 mg/L) and ozone (4 mg/L, flow rate: 0.5 L/min). It also resulted in 34.6% chemical oxygen demand (CODCr) and 24.2% total organic carbon (TOC) reduction. In this work, graphene nanosheets not only functioned as a support for Co3O4 nanocrystals but also functioned as a co-catalyst for the enhancement in phenol removal efficiency. The surface nitridation and Co3O4 modification treatment further improved the removal rate of the phenol pollutants and brought in the higher oxidation degree. Our finding may open new perspectives for pursuing exceptional activity for catalytic ozonation reaction.

The objective of the study is to investigate the role and specific molecular mechanism of interleukin-33 (IL-33) acted on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). C57BL/6 mice intratracheally instilled LPS to induce ALI model. The mice were randomly divided into three groups: the sham operation group (Sham), ALI group (ALI), and pretreatment with IL-33 of ALI group (IL-33). By observing the survival rate, inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in lung tissue, lung histopathological examination, pulmonary capillary leakage, lung wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio, fibrosis levels in lung tissue, and associated pathways changes among the different groups, comparing to explore the role of IL-33 pretreatment on ALI mice and the possible molecular mechanisms. IL-33 pretreatment overall decreased the survival rate of ALI mice. IL-33 aggravated inflammation reaction showing as increasing the release of proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6, increasing MPO levels in lung tissue, and aggravating lung pathology injury. In addition, IL-33 pretreatment further destroyed adherens junctions (AJs) by increasing the phosphorylation of VE-cadherin, resulting in the concomitantly pulmonary capillary barrier damage and pulmonary edema. During this process, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways further activated. However, IL-33 pretreatment had no significant impact on collagen content of lung tissue. Our results indicated that IL-33 aggravated inflammatory reaction and increased microvascular permeability, but had little effect on pulmonary fibrosis, associated with the further activation of MAPK family proteins in the process. To sum up, IL-33 decreased survival rate and aggravated LPS-induced ALI.

In this paper we address the answer retrieval problem in community-based question answering. To fully capture the interactions between question-answer pairs, we propose an original tensor neural network to model the relevance between them. The question and candidate answers are separately embedded into different latent semantic spaces, and a 3-way tensor is then utilized to model the interactions between latent semantics. To initialize the network layers properly, we propose a novel algorithm called denoising tensor autoencoder (DTAE), and then implement a layerwise pretraining strategy using denoising autoencoders (DAE) on word embedding layers and DTAE on the tensor layer. The experimental results show that our tensor neural network outperforms various baselines with other competitive neural network methods, and our pretraining DTAE strategy improves the system’s performance and robustness.

A series of Ce