Search

To understand the effect of regime shift in Caohai Lake in Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, SW China from submerged macrophyte dominance to phytoplankton dominance on the specification and distribution of phosphorus and on ecological and environmental states, changes in phosphorus specification in the sediments and water were studied. The form, composition, and distribution of phosphorus in sediment were sampled in July 2020 (before regime shift) and July 2021 (after regime shift) were analyzed. Results reveal that phosphorus content in sediment was lower than that those of Erhai Lake and Dianchi Lake, Yunnan, SW China, on the same plateau, and was lower than those of Taihu Lake, Chaohu Lake, and Poyang Lake in the middle-lower Changjiang (Yangtze) River Plain. Organic phosphorus (Or-P) was the main form (up to 60%), followed by inactive phosphorus (Ina-P), and the active phosphorus (Act-P), the least, which is opposite to those of Taihu Lake and Poyang Lake in the middle-lower Changjiang River Plain in the eastern China. Or-P content was high, indicating a high potential risk of phosphorous release. After the regime shift, the total phosphorus in sediment decreased from 0.87±0.13 to 0.70±0.13 g/kg. The proportion of Or-P and Act-P decreased from 68.23% to 65.32% and from 5.35% to 4.69%, respectively. In contrast, the proportion of Ina-P increased from 26.42% to 29.99%. The Moran's I index revealed that the heterogeneity of the spatial distributions of the total phosphorus (S-TP) and Act-P in the sediments before regime shift was significant (P<0.1). However, the heterogeneity of the spatial distributions of S-TP and the various forms of phosphorus after regime shift was not significant (P>0.05). The regime shift aggravated the eutrophication of the lake, the trophic level index (TLI) increased from 48.42 to 54.49 (P<0.01), and the previously mesotrophic lake became a mildly eutrophic lake. The results of this study revealed the impact of regime shift in the lake from submerged macrophyte dominance to phytoplankton dominance on the composition and spatial distribution of phosphorus in sediments and provided a basis for the restoration of eutrophicated and aquatic ecosystem degraded lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quick and effective way of segmenting images is the Otsu threshold method. However, the complexity of time grows exponentially as the number of thresolds rises. The aim of this study is to address the issues with the standard threshold image segmentation method's low segmentation effect and high time complexity. The two mutations differential evolution based on adaptive control parameters is presented, and the twofold mutation approach and adaptive control parameter search mechanism are used. Superior double-mutation differential evolution views Otsu threshold picture segmentation as an optimization issue, uses the maximum interclass variance technique as the objective function, determines the ideal threshold, and then implements multi-threshold image segmentation. The experimental findings demonstrate the robustness of the enhanced double-mutation differential evolution with adaptive control parameters. Compared to other benchmark algorithms, our algorithm excels in both image segmentation accuracy and time complexity, offering superior performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traffic management is a critical task in software-defined IoT networks (SDN-IoTs) to efficiently manage network resources and ensure Quality of Service (QoS) for end-users. However, traditional traffic management approaches based on queuing theory or static policies may not be effective due to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of network traffic. In this paper, we propose a novel approach that leverages Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) and multi-arm bandit algorithms to dynamically optimize traffic management policies based on real-time network traffic patterns. Specifically, our approach uses a GNN model to learn and predict network traffic patterns and a multi-arm bandit algorithm to optimize traffic management policies based on these predictions. We evaluate the proposed approach on three different datasets, including a simulated corporate network (KDD Cup 1999), a collection of network traffic traces (CAIDA), and a simulated network environment with both normal and malicious traffic (NSL-KDD). The results demonstrate that our approach outperforms other state-of-the-art traffic management methods, achieving higher throughput, lower packet loss, and lower delay, while effectively detecting anomalous traffic patterns. The proposed approach offers a promising solution to traffic management in SDNs, enabling efficient resource management and QoS assurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dehydrogenative [4 + 2] annulation is a step- and atom-economical way to construct benzo-fused six-membered rings which are prevalent in natural products, pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Herein, we disclosed a visible-light induced dehydrogenative [4 + 2] annulation of benzothioamides and alkynes, which was performed under mild aerobic conditions and catalyzed by the metal-free heterogeneous photocatalyst graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). The heterogeneous photocatalysis proceeded smoothly with simple operation and under mild conditions and gave a variety of isothiochromenes in good yields. g-C3N4 displays excellent stability and recyclability for the photochemical reaction. The detailed mechanistic studies revealed that g-C3N4 promoted the formation of a sulfur centered radical under visible-light irradiation via a single electron transfer process. The radical intermediate further mediated a [4 + 2] annulation with alkynes to produce isothiochromenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current study, the difference between the sex‐sorted and non‐sex‐sorted frozen semen of Holstein Friesian breed cattle was investigated. Significant variation (p <.05) was found in the semen quality parameters such as motility; vitality; acrosome integrity rate; the anti‐oxidative enzyme activity including GSH (glutathione); SOD (superoxide dismutase); CAT (catalase); GSH‐Px (glutathione peroxidase) and the rate of fertilization. The results showed that the sperm acrosome integrity and motility of the non‐sorted sperm were higher compared to sex‐sorted sperm (p <.05). The linearity index and mean coefficient analysis revealed that the percentage of 'grade a' in sex‐sorted sperm were significantly (p <.05) lower than non‐sorted sperm. Interestingly, low SOD level and high CAT level was found in the non‐sexed semen than in the sexed semen (p <.05). Furthermore, the GSH and GSH‐Px activity in the sexed semen was found lower than the non‐sexed semen (p <.05). In conclusion, sperm motility characteristics were lower in sex‐sorted semen than in non‐sex‐sorted semen. This might be related to the complex process of sexed semen production, which could reduce sperm motility and movement characteristics, acrosomal integrity, CAT, SOD, GSH and GSH‐Px, and finally lead to the decline in the fertilization rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Largemouth bass ranavirus disease (LMBVD) caused by largemouth bass ranavirus (LMBV) has resulted in severe economic losses in the largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) farming industry in China. Early and accurate diagnosis is the key measure for the prevention and control of LMBVD. In this study, a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and a real‐time recombinase‐aided amplification (real‐time RAA) assay were established for the detection of LMBV. The sensitivity and specificity of these two methods, and the efficacy for detection of LMBV from clinical samples were also evaluated. Results showed that the real‐time RAA reaction was completed in <30 min at 39℃ with a detection limit of 58.3 copies, while qPCR reaction required 60 min with a detection limit of 5.8 copies. Both methods were specific for LMBV, where no cross‐reactions observed with the other tested fish pathogens. Comparing the amplification results of both assays to the results obtained by virus isolation using 53 clinical tissue samples, results showed that the clinical sensitivity of real‐time RAA and qPCR were 93.75% and 100% respectively, and the clinical specificity of both were 100%. Our results showed that qPCR is more suitable for quantitative analysis and accurate detection of LMBV in the laboratory, while real‐time RAA is more suitable as a point‐of‐care diagnostic tool for on‐site detection and screening of LMBV under farm conditions and in poorly equipped laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grass carp reovirus (GCRV) is the causative agent of a hemorrhagic disease that causes severe economic losses in the grass carp ( Ctenopharyngodon idella ) farming industry in China. Discrimination between wild-type field and vaccine strains of GCRV is crucial for meaningful disease diagnosis and epidemiological investigation, yet current detection methods do not discriminate between these different viruses. This study exploited sequence differences between vaccine viruses and the virulent and field strains in the S6 gene that is present in all GCRV strains to develop a high resolution melting curve assay to differentiate between virus strains. The high resolution melting curve analysis was as analytically sensitive as real-time quantitative-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) detection and at least 10 times sensitive than the conventional PCR. This one-step assay will facilitate grass carp hemorrhagic disease outbreak responses and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three dimensional (3D) and two dimensional (2D) alternation growth was used to grow AlN epitaxial layers on sapphire substrates. AlN samples grown using this technique have higher crystalline quality and lower dislocation density than samples grown using only 3D or 2D growth modes as witnessed by the high-resolution X-ray diffraction. Smooth atomic terraces with root mean square roughness of 0.107 nm were observed using atomic force microscopy (AFM) when the 3D and 2D AlN were 75 nm and 425 nm, respectively. This sample possesses single crystallographic orientation along the c-axis identified by Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, the 3D/2D alternating growth mode modulates internal stress in AlN epitaxial layer by adjusting 2D AlN thickness, and the mechanism was studied in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LRSAM1, a RING-type E3 ubiquitin ligase, is essential for regulating cargo sorting, signaling pathways, cell adhesion and anti-bacterial autophagy. It is important to elucidate the mechanism that underlies the regulation of LRSAM1 E3 ligase activity. Here, we reported that LRSAM1 exhibited self-association in vitro and in vivo. We found the self-association of LRSAM1 promotes intermolecular ubiquitination and proved a potential N-terminal ubiquitination. The E3 activity of LRSAM1 is amplified when the RING domain is present in tandem with its N-terminal domain(s). Furthermore, we found that the CC2-SAM domain had a strong inhibitory effect on the E3 activity of LRSAM1 in vitro and blocked ubiquitination of TSG101 in vivo; the tandem CC1 domain, but not the individual CC1 domain, could counteract this inhibition. Collectively, our data characterized the self-association of LRSAM1 and showed how its domains may contribute to its overall activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LRSAM1 is a typical RING-finger E3 ubiquitin ligase that plays an important role in many processes. The expression and purification of LRSAM1 from Escherichia coli had not yet been reported. Here, strategies to clone, express and purify recombinant LRSAM1 in E . coli cells were developed. LRSAM1 was expressed with high yield as inclusion bodies and successfully recovered in soluble form by subsequent denaturation and renaturation steps. Refolded LRSAM1 was directly purified through two steps of ammonium sulfate precipitation, resulting in a purity of up to 95% and a yield of about 6 mg/L bacterial culture. Purified recombinant LRSAM1 exhibited a pH-dependent E3 ligase activity. Its ligase activity was RING-finger domain-dependent, and its ubiquitination favors K6-, K27-, K29- and K48-linkages in cooperation with UbcH5-type E2 enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We intentionally incorporated H into fluorine-doped ZnO thin films (FZO) by plasma treatment. Upon treatment, both mobility and electron concentration have an observable increase, especially the mobility reaches up to 30.1 cm 2 V − 1 s − 1 (3 times higher than the untreated films). H distributes in the FZO thin films uniformly via plasma treatment. The treated FZO thin films showed good conductive stability at 500 °C and saved for 6 months, until now. Origin of high conductive stability was explained by first principle calculation. The results predicted that hydrogen atoms in interstitial sites next to F O are attracted by the incorporated fluorine atoms and this configuration has lower formation energy than the hydrogen in oxygen vacancy configuration. Thus, we owed the highly stable conductivity to the hydrogen as interstitial as well as hydrogen in oxygen vacancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Interactions between the host and gut microbial community contribute to the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease (CD). In this study, we aimed to detect lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and 1,3-β-D-glucan (BG) in the sera of CD patients and clarify the potential role in the diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. Materials and Methods. Serum samples were collected from 46 patients with active CD (A-CD), 22 CD patients at remission stage (R-CD), and 20 healthy controls, and the levels of LPS, BG, and TNF in sera were determined by ELISA. Moreover, sixteen patients with A-CD received anti-TNF monoclonal antibody therapy (infliximab, IFX) at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight at weeks 0, 2, and 6, and the levels of LPS and BG were also tested at week 12 after the first intravenous infusion. Results. Serum levels of LPS and BG were found to be markedly increased in A-CD patients compared with R-CD patients and healthy controls (P<0.05). They were also observed to be positively correlated with CDAI, ESR, and SES-CD, respectively (P<0.05). Furthermore, the levels of TNF in sera had a significant correlation with LPS and BG, respectively. The concentrations of LPS and BG were demonstrated to be significantly downregulated in the sera of A-CD patients 12 weeks after IFX treatment (P<0.05), suggesting that blockade of TNF could inhibit bacterial endotoxin absorption, partially through improving intestinal mucosal barrier. Conclusions. Serum levels of LPS and BG are significantly increased in A-CD patients and positively correlated with the severity of the disease. Blockade of intestinal mucosal inflammation with IFX could reduce the levels of LPS and BG in sera. Therefore, this study has shed some light on measurement of serum LPS and BG in the diagnosis and treatment of CD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ni 1−x Mg x O thin films for metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) ultraviolet (UV) photodetector were deposited by pulsed laser deposition. The effects of rapid thermal annealing (RTA) on both structural and optical properties of the thin films were studied. After RTA treatment, the Ni 1−x Mg x O films showed better crystalline quality with a larger optical band gap. Moreover, the effect of RTA on the current–voltage characteristics of MSM UV photodetector fabricated on the Ni 1−x Mg x O thin film was investigated, too. The results revealed that the series of dark current is significantly reduced from 390.50nA (as-deposited) to 19.96nA (RTA treated at 1000°C), which can lead to higher signal-to-noise ratio of the photodetector. Thus the performance of the photodetector was enhanced by RTA to the Ni 1−x Mg x O thin films. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Csk, a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, serves as an indispensable negative regulator of the Src family kinases (SFKs). However, little is known about regulation of Csk expression so far. SUMOylation, a reversible post-translational modification, has been shown to regulate many biological processes especially in tumor progression. Here we report that Csk is covalently modified by SUMO1 at lysine 53 (K53) both in vitro and in vivo. Treatment with hydrogen peroxide inhibited this modification to a certain extent, but PIAS3, identified as the main specific SUMO E3 ligase for Csk, could significantly enhance SUMO1-Csk level. In addition, phosphorylation at Ser364, the active site in Csk, had no effect on this modification. Ectopic expression of SUMO-defective mutant, Csk K53R, inhibited tumor cell growth more potentially than Csk wild-type. Consistent with the biological phenotype, the SUMO modification of Csk impaired its activity to interact with Cbp (Csk binding protein) leading to decreased c-Src phosphorylation at Y527. Our results suggest that SUMOylation of Csk mainly at lysine 53 negatively modulates its tumor suppressor function by reducing its binding with Cbp and consequently, inducing c-Src activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, serological assays for grass carp reovirus genotype II (GCRV‐II) diagnosis are not available. In this study, an indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of antibodies against GCRV‐II was developed. The structural protein VP38 of GCRV‐II was used as the coating antigen. Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against IgM of grass carp labelled with HRP were used as a secondary antibody. The antigen concentration and serum dilution were optimized using chess board titration. Furthermore, the specificity of indirect ELISA assay was confirmed by cross check with sera positive for other grass carp pathogens. In comparison with results obtained from indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and Western blot by testing of 60 serum samples to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of the ELISA, agreement between 90% and 96.7% was reached, respectively. A serological survey was performed using the assay with grass carp field serum samples. The seropositive rate of the 242 serum samples was 69.8%. In conclusion, the developed indirect ELISA is a very specific and sensitive test that will be useful for large‐scale serological surveys to detect indirectly GCRV II infections as well as to monitor the changes of antibody level after immunization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pick on someone your own size: Size‐tunable Co3O4 nanowires, prepared through an iodine‐ion‐mediated hydrothermal synthesis, were found to be excellent catalysts for CO oxidation. By controlling the dimensions of the nanowires the catalytic activity for CO oxidation could be tuned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The synthesis of bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) multilayered disk which was constructed by oriented square nanoplates was easily realized via a simple surfactant-free hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were used to investigate the as-obtained product. The results indicated that the three-dimensional (3D) Bi2WO6 multilayered disk was constructed by self-assembly of square nanoplates via a perfect oriented manner. The formation mechanism of the product was carefully investigated on the basis of the results of time-dependent experiments. In addition, studies of the photocatalytic property demonstrated that the as-obtained Bi2WO6 could exhibit excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

ZnO1-xSx alloy thin films with various S contents were deposited on glass substrates by reactive sputtering. The films were grown in high crystalline quality and strong preferential crystallographic orientation. Variations of the lattice constant c followed Vegard's law. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the substitution of O by S in ZnO. The composition dependence of the band gap energy in ZnO1-xSx system was investigated and the band gap bowing parameter was estimated to be about 1.46 eV. The incorporation of S led to the expected redshift of the band gap related photoluminescence emission of ZnO1-xSx films up to 320 meV. The results indicate that ZnO1-xSx films could hold the prospect for the development of ZnO based quantum structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) has been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of a variety of autoimmune diseases, but the role of ROCK in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still elusive. In this study, we demonstrated that the levels of ROCK2, but not ROCK1, activity were significantly upregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and inflamed mucosa from IBD patients using a ROCK activity assay, and that ROCK2 activity in intestinal mucosa was positively correlated with disease severity. Stimulation with TNF markedly upregulated ROCK2 activity in IBD CD4 + T cells through NF-κB signaling. Blockade of ROCK2 activity using Slx-2119 significantly suppressed proinflammatory cytokines in inflamed mucosa from IBD patients including IFX-unresponsive CD patients, and inhibited IBD CD4 + T cells to differentiate into Th1 and Th17 cells through downregulating phosphorylated Stat1 and Stat3, but promoted Treg cell differentiation through upregulating phosphorylated Stat5. Furthermore, oral administration of Slx-2119 markedly ameliorated intestinal mucosal inflammation in TNBS-induced colitis in mice and decreased proinflammatory cytokines productions in inflamed colon. Our data indicate that ROCK2 plays a critical role in inducing mucosal T cell activation and inflammatory responses in IBD and that inhibition of ROCK2 activity might serve as a novel therapeutic approach in the management of IBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticle-crystal is a promising candidate for large scale metamaterial fabrication. However, in radiative cooling application, the maximum blackbody radiation wavelength locates far from metal's plasmon wavelength. In this paper, it will be shown if the metallic nanoparticle crystal can be properly oxidized, the absorption performance within room temperature blackbody radiation spectrum can be improved. Magnetic polariton and surface plasmon polariton have been explained for the mechanism of absorption improvement. Three different oxidation patterns have been investigated in this paper, and the results show they share a similar enhancing mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonmetal F and B co-doped ZnO (BFZO) thin films were deposited on flexible substrates by magnetron sputtering method and the electrical and optical properties of these films were studied. The resistivity of the prepared thin film was 1.64 × 10 −3 cm, the carrier mobility was 5.18 cm 2 V −1 s −1 , and the electron concentration was 7.99 × 10 20 cm −3 , and the square resistance was 81.9. First-principles calculations were used to explain the origin of high conductivity, and the results indicates that the structure is most stable when the F atom is close to the B atom in the (0110) plane, and the partial density of states of B-F co-doped ZnO shows that the B impurity plays a vital role in enhancing electrical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phosphothreonine lyases OspF and SpvC irreversibly inactivate host dual-phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) [pThr-X-pTyr motif] through β-elimination. We found that dual-phosphorylated (pSer-X-pTyr) MAPK substrate peptides and their resulting catalytic products cross-link to OspF and SpvC. Mass spectrometry results revealed that these linkages form between lysine, which acts as a general base, and dehydroalanine (Dha) on catalytic products. The nucleophilic addition efficiency is dependent on the K136 residue being in a deprotonated state. Peptide cross-linking inhibits the activity of SpvC and blocks the inactivation of MAPK signaling by SpvC. Small compounds mimicking these sequences may act as phosphothreonine lyase inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Preparation and characterization of ZnSO alloy thin films with different S contents. [•] S content in ZnSO films could be modulated by the growth temperature. [•] Efficient S alloying can be achieved under low growth temperature. [•] The optical bowing parameter was found to be about 2.13eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We fabricated reverse ordered Cu2O–ZnO heterojunctions by magnetron sputtering. [•] An obvious asymmetry was observed in the VBOs of Cu2O/ZnO–ZnO/Cu2O by XPS. [•] We analyzed the asymmetry by d–p electronic repulsion in the valence band of Cu2O. [•] Growth order can affect crystal structure of the top layer of the heterojunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: ZnCdO thin films with different Cd contents have been deposited on quartz substrate by pulsed laser deposition. All the obtained films have a hexagonal wurtzite ZnO structure with a highly c-axis orientation without any Cd related phases from the XRD patterns. The band gap energy of ZnCdO films extending to 2.88eV can be achieved by incorporating 9.6% Cd content. The bound excitons emission at 2.925eV in the ZnCdO thin film can be found in the low temperature photoluminescence measurement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We report the synthesis of CaMoO4 micro/nanomaterials with persimmon-like shape and their growth mechanism. A rapid, facile and high-efficient microwave radiation technique is applied to synthesize three-dimensional materials with uniform size. The morphologies of products are greatly influenced by kinetics of the reaction via changing the concentration of precursors as well as the reaction time. Subsequently, a novel growth mechanism is proposed on the basis of the shape evolution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Gas reaction path in planetary reactor for AlN-MOVPE was numerically studied. • For the conventional two-inlet reactor, the reaction is dominated by the adduct path. • For the inverted two-inlet reactor, the reaction is dominated by the pyrolysis path. • With the reactor inlets increasing, both growth rate and growth uniformity increase. • When the reactor inlets increase to 5, the adduct and pyrolysis paths coexist. Numerical study on the influence of inlet structure of planetary reactor on gas reaction path and growth rate in AlN-MOVPE was investigated. It was found that, for the conventional two-inlet reactor (base reactor), the reaction is dominated by the adduct reaction path, and the growth rate is low but evenly distributed; for the inverted inlet reactor, i.e., group-III in lower inlet and group-V in upper inlet, the reaction is dominated by the pyrolysis path, and the growth rate is higher than the base reactor but the growth uniformity is decreased. By moving the position of the inlet separator closer to the ceiling for the inverted inlet, the growth uniformity is improved. When the number of reactor inlets increases from two inlets (base reactor) to three and five inlets, the growth rate increases, the growth uniformity improves, and the reaction changes from the adduct-dominated path to the pyrolysis and adduct coexisted path. Besides varying the inlet geometry, we also found that decreasing the NH 3 flow rate will enhance the pyrolysis path and the growth rate for the above reactors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]