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Quaternary climate oscillations and geographical heterogeneity play important roles in determining species and genetic diversity distribution patterns, but how these factors affect the migration and differentiation of East Asian plants species at the population level remains poorly understood. The Aquilegia ecalcarata complex, a group that originated in the Late Tertiary and is widely distributed throughout East Asia, displays high genetic variation that is suitable for studying elaborate phylogeographic patterns and demographic history related to the impact of Quaternary climate and geography. We used plastid genome data from 322 individuals in 60 populations of the A. ecalcarata complex to thoroughly explore the impact of Quaternary climate oscillations and geography on the phylogeographic patterns and demographic history of the A. ecalcarata complex through a series of phylogenetic, divergence time estimation, and demographic history analyses. The dry, cold climate and frequent climate oscillations that occurred during the early Pleistocene and the Mid-Pleistocene transition led to the differentiation of the A. ecalcarata complex, which was isolated in various areas. Geographically, the A. ecalcarata complex can be divided into Eastern and Western Clades and five subclades, which conform to the divergence of the East Asian flora. Our results clearly show the impact of Quaternary climate and geography on evolutionary history at the population level. These findings promote the understanding of the relationship between plant genetic differentiation and climate and geographical factors of East Asia at the population level.

A wideband dipole antenna with wide beamwidth fed by a coaxial balun is presented. The proposed antenna contains a parasitic patch, a U-shaped reflector, and a pair of L-shaped metal arms. The parasitic patch located above the L-shaped metal arms (as an electric dipole) functions as a director. The combination of the U-shaped reflector and the pair of L-shaped metal arms acts as a magnetic dipole. The wideband impedance bandwidth and wide beamwidth are achieved by using the magnetoelectric dipole. The characteristic mode method is used to facilitate the analysis of the antenna. The measured results show that an impedance bandwidth of 0.78–3.05 GHz (118.5%) for VSWR ≤ 2 is obtained. The beamwidth is between 110° and 179° in the band of 0.78–3.05 GHz (118.5%) in the H -plane, and between 83° and 146° in the band of 0.78–2.47 GHz (104%) in the E -plane. The overall size of the antenna is 0.177 λL × 0.239 λL × 0.104 λL ( λL is the free-space wavelength at the starting frequency).

As new pollutants, microplastics (MPs) can adsorb antibiotics in the water environment and migrate together as carriers. However, microplastics will age continuously in the environment, and their adsorption capacity and adsorption mechanism will change accordingly. With polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) as the target MPs, which were irradiated by ultraviolet (UV-254), the changes in the physical and chemical properties of MPs before and after aging, such as the color, surface morphology, and functional groups, were compared, and their effects on the adsorption of tetracycline (TC) as well as the related mechanism were explored. The results showed that the pseudo-second-order model could better fit the adsorption process, the adsorption equilibrium was reached within 24 hours, the adsorption capacity of aged MPs for TC was significantly higher than that of original MPs, and the adsorption capacity of PS was higher than that of PE. Langmuir and Freundlich isothermal adsorption equations could both describe the adsorption isothermal test data, and the adsorption of TC on MPs was a spontaneous and endothermic physical adsorption process, whereas aging had no obvious effect on the adsorption thermodynamic characteristics of MPs. With the increase in pH value, the adsorption capacity first increased and then decreased. The maximum adsorption capacity of MPs before and after aging was reached at pH=5. UV aging increased the specific surface area of MPs, generating oxygen-containing functional groups such as -C＝O, -OH, and O＝C＝O, changing the physical and chemical properties of MPs, and thus changing the adsorption mechanism of MPs for TC. Compared with the original PE MPs, in addition to hydrophobic distribution, van der Waals forces, and electrostatic interactions, pore filling was also an important adsorption mechanism of aged PE. The main adsorption mechanisms of original PS microplastics were hydrophobic distribution, van der Waals forces, electrostatic interaction, and π-π interaction, whereas there was hydrogen bonding for aged PS.

Recent radiations provide excellent models to gain more insights into evolution, speciation and adaptation. To this end, a well-resolved phylogenetic tree is needed. However, resolving phylogenetic relationships within recent radiations has been difficult as traditional phylogenetic markers failed to provide enough information. We here use plastome data to test their capacity in resolving phylogenetic relationships among a recent rapidly diverging group, Rhodiola, on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. We reconstructed a robust phylogenetic backbone of Rhodiola using 23 plastomes representing all subgenera and sections in previous taxonomic treatments. Based on the backbone, we inferred the spatio-temporal pattern of diversification of the genus. We also traced evolution of five important morphological characters of Rhodiola, including sexual system, inflorescence type and flowering stem, based on the maximum likelihood and the threshold models. Two well-supported clades were revealed in Rhodiola, and the two clades were distinguished by sexual system: species in clade I are mostly hermaphrodite (except R. stapfii and R. integrifolia), and those in clade II are all dioecious. Biogeographic analysis showed that Rhodiola probably originated in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau and the Hengduan Mountains. The two major clades diverged c. 6.34 Mya, corresponding to a period of rapid uplift of the Hengduan Mountains and intensification of the Asian monsoon. Character evolution analysis confirmed parallel evolution of dioecy and other adaptive traits, such as marcescent flowering stems, in the genus. We demonstrate that plastome data could significantly improve phylogenetic resolution in plant groups resulting from recent radiations. Our results not only shed new light on the evolutionary history of Rhodiola, but also indicate that more plastome data should be used in resolving phylogenetic relationship in plant groups that have undergone recent radiations.

Chitosan loaded with silica foliar spraying material (NCSI) was prepared using natural biomass chitosan and organic silicon and was applied to Lindao 16, Nanjing 2728, Zhenghan 10, and Nongken 58 at the rice filling stage to study the effects on arsenic (As) absorption in rice. The results showed that under a 100 μmol·L

MXene/NiS2 composite was synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method with nickel nitrate and thiourea as raw materials and MXene as substrate. The nanosheets connected in the composite exhibit a void network structure, which favors ion and charge transfer. The results show that the electrochemical properties of the composite were optimized (maximum specific capacitance = 898.2 F·g− 1) at synthesis temperature of 180 ℃ and Ni/S ratio of 1:2. Compared with pure MXene (157.4 F·g− 1) and pure NiS2 (616 F·g− 1), the MXene/NiS2-1:2-180 composites exhibited superior properties. The asymmetric supercapacitor was assembled in 6 M KOH with MXene/NiS2 as anode and SC (biochar) as cathode. High energy density (32.08 Wh·kg− 1) and power density (749.92 W·kg− 1) can be obtained at an operating voltage window of 1.5 V. After 3000 charging/discharging cycles at 2 A·g− 1, the specific capacitance was 85.74% of the original specific capacitance.

The rare earth elements (REE) content of the coal in the Erlian Basin was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and it turns out that the REE content from different geological age shows a significant difference: The REE content of the coal in the Jurassic Alatanheli Group is from 152.05×10−6 to 1416.21×10−6, with an average value of 397.31×10−6, and the relative concentration factor shows enriched; the REE content of the coal in Early Cretaceous Baiyanhua Group is from 20.65×10−6 to 102.53×10−6, the mean value is 49.06×10−6, and the relative concentration factor shows normally. The REE distribution patterns samples in Jurassic and Cretaceous shows the difference: The REE pattern in Jurassic coal mainly manifests as H-type distribution, with the Y, Lu positive anomaly, it is speculated that the fluid carried REE ions into the coal-bearing basin, and the heavy REE gather in the coal due to the different chemical properties of each REE. The REE occurrence mode is presumed to be mainly organic. Flat type is the REE main distribution pattern in Cretaceous coal. The REE patterns in clastic rocks of the roof, parting and floor of coal seam are similar to the REE patterns in the coal and the most possible reason is that the REE main source is from the clastic rock. It showed that the coal of the Early Jurassic, especially of Amugulen coalfield has resource value.

Tongsaimai Tablets/Capsules are composed of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Achyranthis Bidentatae Radix, Codonopsis Radix, Dendrobii Caulis, Astragali Radix, Scrophulariae Radix, and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and are effective in promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, supplementing Qi, and nourishing Yin. It is widely used in the treatment of peripheral vascular diseases. With 40 years of clinical application, it has accumulated substantial research data and application experience. Its good clinical efficacy and pharmacoeconomic benefits in improving the clinical symptoms of peripheral vascular diseases have been confirmed by relevant research. Meanwhile, this drug has also been recommended by many expert consensus, guidelines, and teaching materials, serving as one of the most commonly used Chinese patent medicines in clinical practice. To further improve the understanding of the drug among clinicians and properly guide its clinical medication, the China Association of Chinese Medicine took the lead and organized experts to jointly formulate this expert consensus. Based on the questionnaire survey of clinicians and the systematic review of research literature on Tongsaimai Tablets/Capsules with clinical problems in the PICO framework, the consensus, combined with expert experience, concludes recommendations or consensus suggestions by GRADE system with the optimal evidence available through the nominal group technique. This consensus defines the indications, usage, dosage, course of treatment, medication time, combined medication, and precautions of Tongsaimai Tablets/Capsules in the treatment of peripheral vascular diseases, and explains the safety of its clinical application. It is recommended for clinicians and pharmacists in the peripheral vascular department(vascular surgery), traditional Chinese medicine surgery(general surgery), and endocrinology department of hospitals at all levels in China.

Aquilegia ecalcarata Maxim. is the only spurless species within the genus Aquilegia and comprises a monophyletic clade with A. yabeana Kitag., A. kansuensis Bruhl, and A. rockii Munz. Our previous study on the genetic diversity of those four species revealed that the populations of A. ecalcarata can be divided into two groups, indicating possible genetic difference within A. ecalcarata. However, it is not clear whether the genetic difference is related to the morphological variation among species and groups of A. ecalcarata populations. To answer that question, the morphological variation patterns based on 22 floral and 19 vegetative traits from 42 populations, covering the entire distribution of A. ecalcarata and its relatives, were analyzed in the present study. The result showed that: (i) the differences among the four species were reflected in the floral rather than the vegetative traits; (ii) populations of A. yabeana and A. rockii fell into one cluster each, and each of the six clusters occupied its own distribution range; (iii) one of two A. ecalcarata clusters fell into a subgroup and shared common floral traits with A. rockii; (iv) the individuals of A. ecalcarata form. ecalcarata and form. semicalcarata were often mixed in the same population; and (v) the populations of A. kansuensis were split into two clusters, which differed obviously in floral traits. These results will provide an important morphological basis for the redefinition of species and lay a foundation for the further exploration of the “spurless” A. ecalcarata.

Few studies have been conducted to examine the effects of biochar amendment on sorption and desorption of antibiotics in alkaline soils under field ageing conditions. In this study, sorption and desorption of two antibiotics (oxytetracycline (OTC) and florfenicol (FFC)) were investigated for a calcareous farmland soil with different biochar treatments (1 and 5 wt%, including fresh and aged soil-biochar mixtures). The fresh and recovered field-aged biochar particles were characterized by various methods. The results indicated that, after one-year-field-ageing, the abundance of amorphous carbon on biochar surface and the carbon content of biochar particles decreased markedly whereas the surface area and the oxygen-containing functional groups increased. It was found in batch experiments that the effects of biochar application and ageing on sorption and desorption characteristics were apparently different between the two antibiotics. OTC (a more hydrophobic and less polar antibiotic) showed much higher sorption capacity than FFC. Biochar-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) was found to compete for sorption sites on soil surface, particularly for the 5 wt%-freshly-amended soil. The adherent excessive DOM had lowered OTC sorption and enhanced its partitioning to the solution phase. On the other hand, enhanced partitioning of FFC to the amorphous carbon of biochar accounted for the observed increase of its sorption to the soils with fresh biochar amendment. However, the above effects on sorption affinity for both antibiotics weakened after ageing in the studied calcareous purple soil. Thus, due attention should be paid to the potential risk of leaching increase of OTC in alkaline soils upon biochar amendment, particularly within the very beginning period after application.

1, 2-O, O-Diacetyllycorine (DALY) is one of the lycorine derivatives which has various biological properties. However, the bioavailability and clinical application of DALY was restrained because of its low water solubility and moderate antitumor activities. In order to improve its physicochemical properties, we prepared the inclusion complex of DALY with α-cyclodextrin (α-CD). The inclusion complex was characterized by UV, XRD, DSC, TG, 1H, 2D NMR spectroscopy and its anticancer activity was evaluated in vitro against the human cell lines HCT116, A549, HepG2 and K562. The results demonstrated that DALY was encapsulated into the cavity of α-CD to form the complexes with 1:1 stoichiometry. The water solubility of DALY significantly increased for about 49 times after the inclusion complexation with α-CD. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of DALY/α-CD against the examined cell lines was significantly increased for about 80 times compared to that of the free DALY. The improved physicochemical and biological properties of the inclusion complexes will be beneficial for its potential applications in the design and formulation of natural medicines.

Angiogenesis and the activation of AKT/mTOR pathway are crucial for hepatocarcinoma development and progression, the activation of mTORC1/2 and relevant substrates have been confirmed in clinical hepatocarcinoma samples. Therefore, AKT/mTOR pathway represents the major targets for anti-cancer drugs development. Here, we investigated the anti-proliferative activity and mechanisms of ZJQ-24 in hepatocellular carcinoma, both in vivo and in vitro. A hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft model showed that ZJQ-24 significantly inhibited tumor growth with few side effects. MTT assays, flow cytometric analysis, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry identified that ZJQ-24 effectively suppressed hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation via G2/M phase arrest and caspase-dependent apoptosis but had no cytotoxic on normal cells. Furthermore, ZJQ-24 significantly blocked AKT/mTOR signaling by down-regulation of mTORC1 molecules, including phospho-p70S6K (Thr389) and phospho-4EBP-1 (Ser65, Thr37/46, Thr70) and phospho-AKT (Ser473) in HCC cells. It is very important that the ZJQ-24 did not induce the mTORC1-depdent PI3K/Akt feedback activation through JNK excitation. Moreover, ZJQ-24 inhibited the cap-dependent translation initiation by impairing the assembly of the eIF4E/eIF4G complex. Immunohistochemistry further confirmed ZJQ-24 inhibited the tumor growth through suppression of VEGF and AKT/mTOR pathways in vivo. Thus, the present study is the first to illustrate that ZJQ-24 triggers antiangiogenic activity and apoptosis via inhibiting the AKT/mTOR pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, providing basic scientific evidence that ZJQ-24 shows great potential function as inhibitor of angiogenesis and tumor growth in hepatocellular carcinoma.

A dual-polarized open boundary quad-ridged horn antenna operating at 1-18 GHz is presented. The antenna consists of a coaxial-line to ridged-waveguide transition, a conical cavity, and a quad-ridge with an open boundary. By introducing a metal tapered ridge composed of exponential and elliptic sections, a conical cavity, the proposed antenna achieves stable unidirectional radiation and good impedance matching. The simulated results reveal that the impedance bandwidth of VSWR < 2.2 is from 1 to 18 GHz. The proposed antenna has stable radiation patterns, high isolation, and low cross polarization over the whole frequency band.

The water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs) in PM

Fargesia, a temperate woody bamboo genus, is one of the largest genera and constitutes a taxonomically problematic group due to unusual life cycles and the rarity of flowering. We explored phylogenetic relationships within Fargesia and its allies based on sequence data from three cpDNA regions (matK, psbA-trnH and trnL-trnF) and one nuclear region (nrITS). A representative sample of 49 species, including 36 Fargesia and nine Yushania, were sampled, and maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference were used to reconstruct the phylogeny of Fargesia. The results suggest that Fargesia is polyphyletic, with F. crassinoda and F. damuniu in the Thamnocalamus clade, F. ampullaris, F. semiorbiculata, F. gyirongensis and F. collaris in the Drepanostachyum + Himalayacalamus clade, and the rest of species of Fargesia and all sampled species of Yushania in a Fargesia + Yushania clade, which was further divided into weakly supported Fargesia spathe and non-spathe clades. Species in the Fargesia spathe clade have the derived “spathe-like leaf sheath syndrome,” which may have evolved as a result of an adaptive advantage of compressed inflorescences in colder temperatures.

By loading a parasitic patch, a novel broadband unidirectional dipole antenna is presented. The antenna fed by a coaxial balun consists of a folded dipole, a parasitic patch, and a ground plane. The folded dipole has two bowtie elements and a U-shaped structure. In the low operating band, the folded dipole works as an electric dipole and the parasitic patch works as a director. By using the director, the impedance matching performance is improved dramatically. In the high operating band, the two bowtie elements are as an electric dipole, and a magnetic dipole is formed by combining the parasitic patch and U-shaped structure. A new resonant frequency is generated and the impedance bandwidth is enhanced due to the magnetic dipole. Measured results show that an impedance bandwidth of 1.61–3.45 GHz (72.7%) for S 11 ≤ −15 dB is obtained. Stable radiation patterns, low cross polarization, and a maximum gain 8.77 dBi are achieved.

A novel series of indole-2-carbohydrazide derivatives were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their antiproliferative activities against two cancer cell lines, HCT116 and SW480, and a normal human fetal lung fibroblast cell line, MRC-5. Among this series, compound 24 f displayed potent cytotoxic activities in vitro against HCT116 and SW480 cell lines with GI50 values of 8.1 and 7.9 μm, respectively, and was inactive against MRC-5 cells. The newly synthesized compounds were also evaluated for anti-angiogenesis capabilities by chick chorioallantoic membrane, human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration, and endothelial microtubule formation assays. Moreover, the effects of 24 f on the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 and the signaling pathway in HUVECs indicated that this compound inhibits VEGFR-2 and its downstream related proteins. These results indicate that compound 24 f, as well as the other derivatives, are promising inhibitors of angiogenesis.

Ormosia hosiei (Fagaceae), a critically endangered plant species, is famous for its excellent wood from which the carving craft and high-grade furniture can be made. In this study, we characterized the complete chloroplast genome of O. hosiei based on next generation sequencing to analyze its phylogenetic position. The circular complete chloroplast genome of O. hosiei was 171,642 bp in length, containing a large single-copy (LSC) region of 72,295 bp and a small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,659 bp. These two regions were separated by a pair of inverted repeat regions (IRa and IRb), each of them 40,344 bp. A total of 144 functional genes were encoded, consisted of 98 protein-coding genes, 38 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content of the chloroplast genome was 38.1%, and the GC contents of the LSC, SSC, and IR regions were 33.5, 29.8, and 39.3%, respectively. The phylogenetic analysis by maximum likelihood showed that the O. hosiei is clustered into one clade with Styphnolobium japonicum by strong support values, and thus is closely related to Styphnolobium.