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Retrograde eclogite and garnet amphibolite of the Lüliangshan unit of the Shenglikou area, North Qaidam, were studied with emphasis on rutile and titanite. A special focus is on the formation of rutile and its corona of titanite (Ttn1) in retrograde eclogite and on coarse-grained titanite (Ttn2) from the garnet amphibolite. Using zirconium (Zr)-in-rutile and Zr-in-titanite thermometers, the temperatures estimated for the formation of an early generation of rutile are 823–884 °C at 2.5–2.8 GPa, while 812–894 °C at 1.3–1.5 GPa are derived for the formation of coronitic Ttn1 in the retrograde eclogite. Therefore, isothermal decompression must have occurred during exhumation, which also has triggered the partial melting of the retrograde eclogite. Ttn2 of the garnet amphibolite has high REE contents and high Th/U ratios, indicating that it is newly grown from a Ti, Ca, and LREE enriched anatectic melt derived from the partial melting of retrograde eclogite. LA-ICP MS U-Pb dating yields a lower intercept age of 423±4 Ma for Ttn2, which is consistent with the granulite-facies metamorphic age of the retrograde eclogite. Moreover, a temperature of 781–823 °C at 1.0–1.2 GPa is obtained for Ttn2, which fits the P-T conditions of the HP granulite-facies metamorphic stage (P=1.07–1.24 GPa and T=774–814 °C), and documents that the crystallization of the melt occurred at the granulite-facies stage at 423 Ma. The high amount of REE of the garnet amphibolite is a consequence of the formation of Ttn2 from the melt. The contents and ratios of Zr and Hf in rutile and Ttn2 differ from those in the garnet amphibolite, and the whole rock Zr/Hf ratios of retrograde eclogite and garnet amphibolite are both higher than the respective ratios in rutile and Ttn2, suggesting that rutile and titanite cannot be the major carriers of Zr and Hf accounting for the high whole rock Zr/Hf ratios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate the synchronization problem on delayed memristive neural networks (MNNs) with leakage delay and parameters mismatch via event-triggered control. We divide MNNs with parameters mismatch into two categories for discussion. One is state-dependent and can achieve synchronization by designing a suitable controller. A novel Lyapunov functional is constructed to analyze the synchronization problem. Moreover, the triggering conditions are independent from the delay boundaries and can be static or dynamic. Another category of parameters mismatch is structure-dependent and can only achieve quasi-synchronization by appropriate controller. By using matrix measure method and generalized Halanay inequality, a quasi-synchronization criterion is established. The controllers in this paper are discrete state-dependent and can be updated under the event-based triggering condition, which is more simpler than the previous results. In the end of our paper, two illustrative examples are given to support our results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kyanite-bearing garnet pelitic gneiss from the Jianggalesayi area in southern Altyn Tagh high pressure/ultra-high pressure belt was proved to have been experienced UHP metamorphism (>12 GPa) by the discovery of kyanite and spinel exsolution microstructure in quartz (precursor stishovite). In this study, three stages of retrograded metamorphism (M2–M4) after the UHP metamorphism (M1) were identified for the UHP pelitic gneiss. The HP granulite-facies stage (M2) was characterized by the mineral assemblage of garnet+kyanite+K-feldspar+rutile+quartz±ilmenite, recording the P-T condition of >1.12 GPa and ≈850–930 ºC. The granulite-facies stage (M3) was represented by the mineral assemblage of garnet rim+K-feldspar+sillimanite (Sill1)+biotite (Bt1)+plagioclase (Pl1)+ilmenite+quartz, and confined under P-T conditions of 0.5–0.8 GPa and ≈770–795 ºC. The late cooling stage M4 was accompanied by the appearance of fine-grained Pl2, Sill2 and Bt2 in the matrix, and the P-T conditions were 0.4–0.6 GPa and <675 ºC. A clockwised P-T path was obtained for the pelitic gneiss in the P-T pseudosection, which showed a deep subduction/collision processes with subsequent exhumation and cooling. Combined with the corresponding multistage metamorphic assemblages, the age dating results implied that the zircons from the gneiss have integrated the recording peak metamorphic (M1, 484±3 Ma) and retrograded metamorphic ages (M2 to M3, 450±2 Ma). There was about 32 Ma interval during the first exhumation from the upper mantle depth (>350 km) to the lower crust depth (≈40–20 km), resulting in an average exhumation rate of 9.11–9.70 mm/yr. In the southern Altyn Tagh region, the HP and UHP rocks from different areas had identical peak metamorphic ages. Therefore, contemporary UHP and HP rocks with different metamorphic evolutions were recognized coexisting in the same orogenic belt, which can be interpreted by the model of subduction channel. The continental crustal were subducted to different depths along the direction of the subduction channels at ≈500 Ma, suffered different grade metamorphism, and then returned to the surface along the subduction channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ratiometric and sensitive microfluidic chip based aptasensor was developed for antibiotic detection with kanamycin (Kana) as a model analyte. A novel stir bar assisted sorptive extraction and rolling circle amplification strategy was designed to largely amplify the signal and overcome complex matrix interference in food samples. The detection mechanism was as follows: firstly, many duplex DNA probes (a single-stranded DNA as a primer hybrid with an aptamer sequence) were modified on a stir bar. In the presence of Kana, the probes on the bar could specifically capture Kana and release the primer to trigger RCA in the presence of a circular DNA template (CDT). As the reaction proceeds, the amount of CDT decreased and the number of RCA products increased. It is worth mentioning that they can be efficiently separated and detected using a microfluidic chip. The signal ratio of RCA products and CDT (IR/IC) can be employed to qualify Kana in a wide linear range from 0.8 pg mL−1 to 10 ng mL−1 with a low detection limit of 0.3 pg mL−1. This method exhibited excellent sensitivity and selectivity and can obviously reduce the matrix interference through a ratiometric strategy combined with stir bar extraction. The aptasensor was successfully tested in milk and fish samples, confirming that it can be applied for on-site quantitation of antibiotic residues in foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper discusses the passivity of delayed reaction–diffusion memristor-based neural networks (RDMNNs). By exploiting inequality techniques and by constructing appropriate Lyapunov functional, several sufficient conditions are obtained in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs), which can be used to ascertain the passivity, output and input strict passivity of delayed RDMNNs. In addition, the passivity of RDMNNs without any delay is also considered. These conditions, represented by LMIs, can be easily verified by virtue of the Matlab toolbox. Finally, some illustrative examples are provided to substantiate the effectiveness and validity of the theoretical results, and to present an application of RDMNN in pseudo-random number generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an amino-functionalized silica matrix encapsulating β-galactosidase was first synthesized in situ, with subsequent covalent anchoring of lysozyme to the outer part of the amino-grafted matrix. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra verified that β-galactosidase was successfully encapsulated. Meanwhile, the co-immobilized enzymes were demonstrated to retain suitable enzymatic activities and outstanding operational stability during successive reaction cycles. Furthermore, when used for lactose removal from skim milk, the packed-bed column system achieved both a high lactose hydrolysis rate and microbial inactivation ratio during 30 days of continuous operation. Notably, this system exhibited favorable stability during 60 days of continuous hydrolysis of lactose in solution and thus may be appropriate for further development for use in industrial lactose removal from milk. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • The dual-functional continuous operating system was established. • The dual-functional continuous operating system exhibited perfect enzymatic activities during the treatment of skim milk. • The dual-functional continuous operating system offered the favorable stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the discussion of H ∞ synchronization in multiple state and delayed state coupled neural networks through the implementation of two adaptive proportional–integral (PI) controllers. Firstly, we consider two types of coupled neural networks with multi-weights. Subsequently, we formulate H ∞ synchronization criteria using inequality techniques and Lyapunov functional. Furthermore, we address the H ∞ synchronization problem for these two networks by employing node-/edge-based adaptive PI controllers. Finally, we validate the effectiveness of the proposed theoretical results through numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vasculogenic mimicry (VM), when microvascular channels are formed by cancer cells independent of endothelial cells, often occurs in deep hypoxic areas of tumors and contributes to the aggressiveness and metastasis of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. However, well-developed VM inhibitors exhibit inadequate efficacy due to their low drug utilization rate and limited deep penetration. Thus, a cost-effective VM inhibition strategy needs to be designed for TNBC treatment. Results: Herein, we designed a low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) dual-responsive nanoplatform termed PFP@PDM-PEG for the cost-effective and efficient utilization of the drug disulfiram (DSF) as a VM inhibitor. The PFP@PDM-PEG nanodroplets effectively penetrated tumors and exhibited substantial accumulation facilitated by PEG deshielding in a LIFU-mediated and MMP-2-sensitive manner. Furthermore, upon exposure to LIFU irradiation, DSF was released controllably under ultrasound imaging guidance. This secure and controllable dual-response DSF delivery platform reduced VM formation by inhibiting COL1/pro-MMP-2 activity, thereby significantly inhibiting tumor progression and metastasis. Conclusions: Considering the safety of the raw materials, controlled treatment process, and reliable repurposing of DSF, this dual-responsive nanoplatform represents a novel and effective VM-based therapeutic strategy for TNBC in clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproductive failure in cotton caused by drought has been reported to be closely associated with alterations in pistil fertility; however, the mechanism of the effect of drought on pistil fertility in cotton is less studied. We hypothesized that drought would inhibit the ovule formation to alter pistil potential fertility. To address this hypothesis, we conducted a water deficit induction experiment with a cotton cultivar, Dexiamian 1. Results showed that drought damaged the cytological structure of the developing ovules. This resulted in a lower ovule number, finally leading to lower cottonseed number and boll weight. And the decreased ovule number was closely related to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in pistil during ovule development. Further analysis of antioxidant metabolism found that in the enzymatic antioxidant system, drought decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), resulting in the accumulation of superoxide anion (O2•−$$ {{\mathrm{O}}_2}^{\bullet -} $$) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Regarding the non‐enzymatic antioxidant system, the elevated glutathione reductase gene (GhGR) expression under drought promoted the glutathione (GSH) accumulation; however, the decreased dehydroascorbate reductase gene (GhDHAR2) expression under drought inhibited the conversion of GSH to ascorbic acid (AsA). Although the increased monodehydroascorbate reductase gene (GhMDHAR) expression under drought promoted AsA accumulation, drought‐induced reduced ascorbate peroxidase gene (GhAPX) expression inhibited the reduction of H2O2 by AsA, which ultimately led to higher AsA content and H2O2 content. We conclude that drought impedes the ovule formation by disturbing pistil's antioxidant metabolic homeostasis to destruct the cytological structure of the developing ovules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The late cornified envelope (LCE) gene cluster is located on chromosome 1q21, including LCE1-LCE6. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the LCE cluster were associated with susceptibility to psoriasis in Chinese population. However, there is no report on the relationship in ethnic minority areas in China. This study aimed to investigate the association between the gene polymorphisms of LCE1B, LCE1C, LCE3A, LCE3D and psoriasis vulgaris among Mongolians from Inner Mongolia. Totally, 305 Mongolians with psoriasis vulgaris (PsV) and 383 healthy controls were enrolled in the study from 2006 to 2015. 7 SNPs including rs6701216, rs4112788, rs12023196, rs512208, rs4845454, rs4085613 and rs1886734, were selected for genotyping with ligase detection reaction (LDR). Statistical analysis was performed for comparisons of allele frequencies and genotype frequencies between the patient group and the control group. In this study, excluding rs4085613 and rs1886734, differences were detected in the allele frequencies of other 5 SNPs between the patients and controls. Genotype analysis showed that under the recessive inheritance model, the genotype frequencies of rs4845454, rs4112788 differed between the patients and controls (all p < 0.00 5).Under the dominant and the recessive model, the genotype frequencies of rs6701216, rs12023196 and rs512208 significantly differed between the patients and controls. The LD analysis showed that strong LD existed between rs6701216 and rs12023196, rs4845454 and rs4085613, rs4845454 and rs1886734, and rs4085613 and rs1886734. The SNPs rs6701216, rs4112788, rs12023196, rs512208 and rs4845454 in the LCE gene were associated with psoriasis vulgaris among Mongolians from Inner Mongolia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the role of electron beam (EB) irradiation as a physical aid in carboxymethylated (CM) starch, it was prepared to employ EB pretreatment, and then it was compounded with PVA and gliadin to prepare ternary plastics. EB irradiation significantly increased the degree of substitution of CM starch (0.086–0.173) and lowered its amylose content. As a result, the CM and EB starch had lower amylose content, molecular weight and more short chains. Moreover, the ternary plastics prepared by EB-CM starch improved the transparency, water contact angle (63.70–69.31°) and elongation at break (127.50–261.48%) of CM starch ternary plastics, and reduced the water vapor permeability (15.51–21.28 ×10−7 g/m·h·Pa) and tensile strength (8.05–11.43 MPa) of multielement plastics. It suggested that EB improved the mechanical and hydrophobic properties of CM ternary plastics. This work could provide new ideas for EB pretreatment-assisted chemical modification and broaden the development and application of EB-treated starch in multielement plastics. [Display omitted] • This advanced the progress on the chemical modification of lotus seed starch. • EB irradiation pretreatment improved chemical activity of CM starch (0.086–0.173). • EB starch in ternary plastics offered new technology for plastics development. • EB improved mechanical and hydrophobic properties of CM starch composite plastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Development of a series of HSP90 inhibitors-SN38 conjugates for tumor-specific delivery. • These conjugates displayed appreciable HSP90 binding affinity and potent cytotoxic abilities. • Compound 10b exhibited excellent in vivo antitumor activity and low toxicities in Capan-1 xenograft models. Presently, chemotherapy remains to be one of the most important therapeutic approaches for malignant tumors. Ligands based drug conjugates are showing considerable promise as potential therapeutic agents delivery systems for cancer. Here, a series of HSP90 inhibitors-SN38 conjugates were developed through cleavable linkers for tumor-specific delivery of SN38 and reducing its side effects. In vitro assays showed that these conjugates exhibited acceptable stability in PBS and plasma, appreciable HSP90 binding affinity, and potent cytotoxic abilities. Cellular uptake behaviors also indicated that these conjugates could selectively target cancer cells in a time-dependent manner via HSP90. Among them, compound 10b with a glycine linkage exhibits appreciable in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles, and excellent in vivo antitumor activity in Capan-1 xenograft models, demonstrating the selective targeting and accumulation of the active payload at tumor sites. Above all, these results suggest that compound 10b has the potential as a potent anticancer drug, meriting further evaluation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]