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Abstract The all‐organic aqueous dual‐ion batteries (ADIBs) have attracted increasing attention due to the low cost and high safety. However, the solubility and unstable activity of organic electrodes restrict the synergistic storage of anions and cations in the symmetric ADIBs. Herein, a novel polyimide‐based covalent organic framework (labeled as NTPI‐COF) is constructed, featured with the boosted structure stability and electronic conductivity. Through regulating the porosity and bipolarity integrally, the NTPI‐COF possesses hierarchical porous structure (mesopore and micropore) and abundant bipolar active centers (C═O and C─N), which exhibits rapid dual‐ion transport and storage effects. As a result, the NTPI‐COF as the electrodes for ADIBs deliver a high reversible capacity of 109.7 mA h g−1 for Na+ storage and that of 74.8 mA h g−1 for Cl– storage at 1 A g−1, respectively, and with a capacity retention of 93.2% over 10 000 cycles at 10 A g−1. Additionally, the all‐organic ADIBs with symmetric NTPI‐COF electrodes achieve an impressive energy density of up to 148 W h kg−1 and a high power density of 2600 W kg−1. Coupling the bipolarity and porosity of the all‐organic electrodes applied in ADIBs will further advance the development of low‐cost and large‐scale energy storage.

Enhancing tribological performance through nanostructure control is crucial for saving energy and improving wear resistance for diverse applications. We introduce a new electrochemical approach that integrates aluminum (Al) anodization, tin alternating current (AC) electrodeposition, and anodic MoS2 electrosynthesis for fabricating nanostructured Al2O3/Sn(S)MoS2 composite films on AlSiCu casting alloys. Our unique process uses Sn‐modified MoS2 deposition to form robust solid lubricant MoS2–SnS electrodeposits within the nanochannels and microsized voids/defects of anodic alumina matrix films on the base materials, resulting in a bilayered Al2O3/SnSMoS2 and MoS2–SnS–Sn composite film. The AC‐deposited Sn enhances conductivity in the anodic alumina matrix film, acts as catalytic nuclei for Sn@SnS@MoS2 core‐shell nanoparticles and a dense top layer, and serves as a reductant for the direct synthesis of hybrid solid lubricant MoS2–SnS from MoS3 by anodic electrolysis of MoS42− ions. The resulting nanocomposite film provides a two‐fold increase in lubricity (friction coefficient (COF) μ = 0.14 ⇒ 0.07) and a ten‐fold improvement in wear resistance (COF μ

Abstract Potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) offer a cost‐effective and resource‐abundant solution for large‐scale energy storage. However, the progress of PIBs is impeded by the lack of high‐capacity, long‐life, and fast‐kinetics anode electrode materials. Here, we propose a dual synergic optimization strategy to enhance the K+ storage stability and reaction kinetics of Bi2S3 through two‐dimensional compositing and cation doping. Externally, Bi2S3 nanoparticles are loaded onto the surface of three‐dimensional interconnected Ti3C2Tx nanosheets to stabilize the electrode structure. Internally, Cu2+ doping acts as active sites to accelerate K+ storage kinetics. Various theoretical simulations and ex situ techniques are used to elucidate the external–internal dual synergism. During discharge, Ti3C2Tx and Cu2+ collaboratively facilitate K+ intercalation. Subsequently, Cu2+ doping primarily promotes the fracture of Bi2S3 bonds, facilitating a conversion reaction. Throughout cycling, the Ti3C2Tx composite structure and Cu2+ doping sustain functionality. The resulting Cu2+‐doped Bi2S3 anchored on Ti3C2Tx (C‐BT) shows excellent rate capability (600 mAh g–1 at 0.1 A g–1; 105 mAh g–1 at 5.0 A g–1) and cycling performance (91 mAh g–1 at 5.0 A g–1 after 1000 cycles) in half cells and a high energy density (179 Wh kg–1) in full cells.

Abstract Ammonium ion batteries are promising for energy storage with the merits of low cost, inherent security, environmental friendliness, and excellent electrochemical properties. Unfortunately, the lack of anode materials restricts their development. Herein, we utilized density functional theory calculations to explore the V2CT x MXene as a promising anode with a low working potential. V2CT x MXene demonstrates pseudocapacitive behavior for ammonium ion storage, delivering a high specific capacity of 115.9 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1 and excellent capacity retention of 100% after 5000 cycles at 5 A g−1. In-situ electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurement verifies a two-step electrochemical process of this unique pseudocapacitive storage behavior in the ammonium acetate electrolyte. Theoretical simulation reveals reversible electron transfer reactions with [NH4 +(HAc)3]···O coordination bonds, resulting in a superior ammonium ion storage capacity. The generality of this acetate ion enhancement effect is also confirmed in the MoS2-based ammonium-ion battery system. These findings open a new door to realizing high capacity on ammonium ion storage through acetate ion enhancement, breaking the capacity limitations of both Faradaic and non-Faradaic energy storage.

Owing to uneven environmental monitoring site distribution, there are significant spatial data gaps for concentrations of ambient fine particles with diameters ≤ 2.5 µm (PM2.5) obtained using traditional monitoring methods. Satellite products are an alternative data source for locations where monitoring sites are unavailable. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol optical depth (AOD) product has been widely used in PM2.5 assessment for years; however, it has obvious data gaps in winter. Here, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) AOD was applied to supplement MODIS AOD data to obtain a fused AOD dataset. A three-stage model consisting of a corrected AOD model, mixed effects model, and geographically weighted regression model was developed and used with meteorological and vegetation factors to estimate PM2.5. Results showed overall model fitting by cross-validation (CV) with an R2 of 0.92, mean absolute error of 5.72 µg/m3, and root mean square error of 7.15 µg/m3. The combination of MODIS AOD and VIIRS AOD was a suitable method for enhancing AOD coverage. The CV R2 value of the three-stage model (0.92) was higher than that of the two-stage model (0.9). Hence, the three-stage model could achieve a better fit in estimating PM2.5 on a regional scale.

Protein hydrolysates from the goat placenta provide multiple benefits, such as immune system enhancement, antioxidant activities, and reductions in uric acid levels. Despite these benefits, their industrial applications have been underexplored. This study aimed to prepare extract protein hydrolysates (GPERPs) from residual goat placenta extract (GPER) and assess their functional properties, focusing on how different drying methods influence these properties. The essential amino acid contents were 30.94% for the GPER and 34.11% for the GPERPs. Moreover, all the essential amino acids were present, and the amino acid score (AAS) for each exceeded 1.0 in the GPERPs. The foaming properties of the spray-dried GPERPs (95.56 ± 5.89%) were significantly greater than those of the freeze-dried GPERPs (49.13 ± 4.17%) at pH values of 4.0~10.0. The emulsion stability (ES) of the spray-dried GPERPs (453.44 ± 8.13 min) was notably greater than that of the freeze-dried GPERPs (245.58 ± 7.12 min). Furthermore, the water retention capacity (WRC) of the freeze-dried GPERPs (201.49 ± 6.12%) was significantly greater than that of the spray-dried GPERPs (103.35 ± 7.13%), except at pH 10.0 (101.44 ± 8.13%). Similarly, at pH values of 6.0, 8.0, and 10.0, the oil retention capacity (ORC) of the freeze-dried GPERPs (715.58 ± 12.15%) was significantly greater than that of the spray-dried GPERPs (560.56 ± 11.15%), although the opposite trend was noted under acidic conditions. In terms of the antioxidant activity, the ability of the goat placenta extract residual protein hydrolysates (GPERPs) to scavenge DPPH radicals and superoxide anion radicals increased with the increasing peptide powder concentration, and the maximum scavenging rates of the DPPH radicals (39.5 ± 0.56%) and superoxide anions (81.2 ± 0.54%) in the freeze-dried peptide powder were greater than those in the spray-dried peptide powder. These findings contribute to the understanding of the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of GPERPs under various drying methods and provide fundamental data for the development of functional foods based on GPERPs.

Abstract Stannous fluoride (SnF2) is an effective fluoride source and antimicrobial agent that is widely used in commercial toothpaste formulations. The antimicrobial activity of SnF2 is partly attributed to the presence of Sn(II) ions. However, it is challenging to directly determine the Sn speciation and oxidation state within commercially available toothpaste products due to the low weight loading of SnF2 (0.454 wt% SnF2, 0.34 wt% Sn) and the amorphous, semi-solid nature of the toothpaste. Here, we show that dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) enables 119Sn solid-state NMR experiments that can probe the Sn speciation within commercially available toothpaste. Solid-state NMR experiments on SnF2 and SnF4 show that 19F isotropic chemical shift and 119Sn chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) are highly sensitive to the Sn oxidation state. DNP-enhanced 119Sn magic-angle turning (MAT) 2D NMR spectra of toothpastes resolve Sn(II) and Sn(IV) by their 119Sn chemical shift tensor parameters. Fits of DNP-enhanced 1D 1H → 119Sn solid-state NMR spectra allow the populations of Sn(II) and Sn(IV) within the toothpastes to be estimated. This analysis reveals that three of the four commercially available toothpastes contained at least 80% Sn(II), whereas one of the toothpaste contained a significantly higher amount of Sn(IV).

Highlights Heterostructure engineering is proposed to construct CoTe2/ZnTe heterostructures with built-in electric field. Conductive and elastic Ti3C2T x MXene is introduced to improve the conductivity and alleviate the volume change of CoTe2/ZnTe upon cycling. The resulting CoTe2/ZnTe/Ti3C2T x (CZT) demonstrates outstanding rate capability (137.0 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1) and cycling stability (175.3 mAh g−1 after 4000 cycles at 3.0 A g−1). Moreover, the CZT-based full cells demonstrate excellent energy density (220.2 Wh kg−1) and power density (837.2 W kg−1).

The efficacy of selenium-chelating polypeptides derived from wheat protein hydrolysate (WPH-Se) includes enhancing antioxidant capacity, increasing bioavailability, promoting nutrient absorption, and improving overall health. This study aimed to enhance the bioavailability and functional benefits of exogenous selenium by chelating with wheat gluten protein peptides, thereby creating bioactive peptides with potentially higher antioxidant capabilities. In this study, WPH-Se was prepared with wheat peptide and selenium at a mass ratio of 2:1, under a reaction system at pH 8.0 and 80 °C. The in vitro antioxidant activity of WPH-Se was evaluated by determining the DPPH, OH, and ABTS radical scavenging rate and reducing capacity under different conditions, and the composition of free amino acids and bioavailability were also investigated at various digestion stages. The results showed that WPH-Se possessed significant antioxidant activities under different conditions, and DPPH, OH, and ABTS radical scavenging rates and reducing capacity remained high at different temperatures and pH values. During gastrointestinal digestion in vitro, both the individual digestate and the final digestate maintained high DPPH, OH, and ABTS radical scavenging rates and reducing capacity, indicating that WPH-Se was able to withstand gastrointestinal digestion and exert antioxidant effects. Post-digestion, there was a marked elevation in tryptophan, cysteine, and essential amino acids, along with the maintenance of high selenium content in the gastrointestinal tract. These findings indicate that WPH-Se, with its enhanced selenium and amino acid profile, serves as a promising ingredient for dietary selenium and antioxidant supplementation, potentially enhancing the nutritional value and functional benefits of wheat gluten peptides.

Highlights Curving 2D MXene into 1D nanofibers can effectively stop the restacking of MXene flakes, and then the nanofibers are used to construct a lightweight and multifunctional MXene/C aerogel. The MXene/C aerogels achieved an RLmin of − 53.02 dB and EAB of 5.3 GHz. The radar cross-sectional reduction value of MXene/C aerogels can reach 12.02 dB m2. Integrating multiple functions such as thermal insulation, sensing, and microwave absorption into one material—MXene/C aerogel.

Cement-based materials are the foundation of modern buildings but suffer from intensive energy consumption. Utilizing cement-based materials for efficient energy storage is one of the most promising strategies for realizing zero-energy buildings. However, cement-based materials encounter challenges in achieving excellent electrochemical performance without compromising mechanical properties. Here, we introduce a biomimetic cement-based solid-state electrolyte (labeled as l-CPSSE) with artificially organized layered microstructures by proposing an in situ ice-templating strategy upon the cement hydration, in which the layered micropores are further filled with fast-ion-conducting hydrogels and serve as ion diffusion highways. With these merits, the obtained l-CPSSE not only presents marked specific bending and compressive strength (2.2 and 1.2 times that of traditional cement, respectively) but also exhibits excellent ionic conductivity (27.8 mS·cm−1), overwhelming most previously reported cement-based and hydrogel-based electrolytes. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, we assemble the l-CPSSE electrolytes with cement-based electrodes to achieve all-cement-based solid-state energy storage devices, delivering an outstanding full-cell specific capacity of 72.2 mF·cm−2. More importantly, a 5 × 5 cm2 sized building model is successfully fabricated and operated by connecting 4 l-CPSSE-based full cells in series, showcasing its great potential in self-energy-storage buildings. This work provides a general methodology for preparing revolutionary cement-based electrolytes and may pave the way for achieving zero-carbon buildings.

A key step in the study of tree pathology is the identification of an appropriate method for inoculating pathogens of diseases in branches and trunks. Pathogens of diseases in branches and trunks are commonly inoculated through punching, burning, and toothpick inoculation. However, there is a lack of comparative analyses of the inoculation outcomes of these three methods. In this work, six-year-old P. alba var. pyramidalis were inoculated with V. sordida using punching, burning, and toothpick techniques to investigate the differences in the effectiveness of these inoculation methods. Results reveal that the incidence rate was 93.55% in the toothpick inoculation group, significantly higher than the 80.65% in the burning inoculation group (chi-square, n = 90, p = 0.007), while punching inoculation exhibited significant pathological responses in the early stages, with spontaneous healing in the later stage. Additionally, toothpick inoculation was more efficient in inducing Valsa canker when inoculating the pathogen at the bottom of the tree, with lower intra- and inter-row spacing (stand density) providing better outcomes than higher intra- and inter-row spacing. The results of this study demonstrate that toothpick inoculation is an optimal option for studying the artificial inoculation of V. sordida in six-year-old P. alba var. pyramidalis, providing technical support for research on poplar diseases and offering a theoretical basis for the inoculation of other diseases in the branch and trunk.

Abstract The occlusion of dentinal tubules has become a rapid and effective method for treating dentin hypersensitivity. Accurate evaluation of dentin occlusion is critical to illustrate the efficacy of oral care products and to optimize dental therapy in the clinics, which is limited by the conventional two-dimensional (2-D) characterization methods. Here, we demonstrate the visualization of the dentin occlusion via three-dimensional (3-D) characterization using a focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) tomography. Using the “Slice and View” approach, the material used for occluding dentin tubules is imaged with a very high-resolution voxel (10 nm × 10 nm × 20 nm) from 2-D SEM images and then reconstructed into a 3-D volume, which presents the mode of action of toothpaste for treating dentin hypersensitivity. Meanwhile, quantitative analysis of the depth of occlusion is successfully obtained. This work validates the feasibility of FIB-SEM tomography in the analysis of dentin occlusion within the complicated networks of dentine tubules at the nanoscale, and provides a novel approach to facilitate the research and development of oral care products.

Abstract A deformable microfluidic system and a fluidic dynamic model have been successfully coupled to understand the dynamic fluid–structure interaction in transient flow, designed to understand the dentine hypersensitivity caused by hydrodynamic theory. The Polydimethylsiloxane thin sidewalls of the microfluidic chip are deformed with air pressure ranging from 50 to 500 mbar to move the liquid meniscus in the central liquid channel. The experiments show that the meniscus sharply increased in the first 10th of second and the increase is nonlinearly proportional to the applied pressure. A theoretical model is developed based on the unsteady Bernoulli equation and can well predict the ending point of the liquid displacement as well as the dynamics process, regardless of the wall thickness. Moreover, an overshooting and oscillation phenomenon is observed by reducing the head loss coefficient by a few orders which could be the key to explain the dentine hypersensitivity caused by the liquid movement in the dentine tubules.

In this paper, we study the effect of microbial fermentation on the nutrient composition and flavor of sweet potato slurry, different strains of Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium brevis were employed to ferment sweet potato slurry. After 48 h of fermentation with different strains (10% inoculation amount), we compared the effects of several strains on the nutritional and functional constituents (protein, soluble dietary fiber, organic acid, soluble sugar, total polyphenol, free amino acid, and sensory characteristics). The results demonstrated that the total sugar level of sweet potato slurry fell significantly after fermentation by various strains, indicating that these strains can utilize the nutritious components of sweet potato slurry for fermentation. The slurry’s total protein and phenol concentrations increased significantly, and many strains demonstrated excellent fermentation performance. The pH of the slurry dropped from 6.78 to 3.28 to 5.95 after fermentation. The fermentation broth contained 17 free amino acids, and the change in free amino acid content is closely correlated with the flavor of the sweet potato fermentation slurry. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry results reveal that microbial fermentation can effectively increase the kinds and concentration of flavor components in sweet potato slurry, enhancing its flavor and flavor profile. The results demonstrated that Aspergillus niger fermentation of sweet potato slurry might greatly enhance protein and total phenolic content, which is crucial in enhancing nutrition. However, Bacillus coagulans fermentation can enhance the concentration of free amino acids in sweet potato slurry by 64.83%, with a significant rise in fresh and sweet amino acids. After fermentation by Bacillus coagulans, the concentration of lactic acid and volatile flavor substances also achieved its highest level, which can considerably enhance its flavor. The above results showed that Aspergillus niger and Bacillus coagulans could be the ideal strains for sweet potato slurry fermentation.

Biliary cystadenoma is a type of rare liver cystic tumor. Intrahepatic biliary cystadenomas are the most common, while extrahepatic biliary cystadenomas are rarely seen. Biliary cystadenoma tends to occur in middle-aged to older women and there is a lack of specific preoperative diagnostic markers. Recent advancements in technology and the development of the SpyGlass system have led to an increased use of cholangioscopy. Herein, we report a patient in whom a space-occupying lesion was found in the bile duct by SpyGlass, and who later underwent radical surgery. The pathology report indicated that the final diagnosis was biliary cystadenoma. SpyGlass cholangioscopy may be a novel and effective diagnostic method for biliary cystadenoma.

Utilizing wheat embryos as the raw material and employing Aspergillus niger as the fermentation strain, wheat embryo polypeptides were produced through microbial liquid fermentation. The protein concentration post-fermentation served as the response variable, and the preparation process underwent optimization through single-factor testing and a response surface methodology, followed by the assessment of antioxidant activity. The findings revealed that the optimal conditions for wheat embryo peptide preparation via Aspergillus niger fermentation included a fermentation duration of 24 h, an inoculum volume of 4%, an initial pH of 7, and a protein concentration of 21.47 mg/mL. Peptides with different molecular weights were then prepared by dead-end filtration. The results showed that F6 (

Systemic chronic inflammation is recognized as a significant contributor to the development of obesity-related insulin resistance. Previous studies have revealed the physiological benefits of resistant dextrin (RD), including obesity reduction, lower fasting glucose levels, and anti-inflammation. The present study investigated the effects of RD intervention on insulin resistance (IR) in Kunming mice, expounding the mechanisms through the gut microbiome and transcriptome of white adipose. In this eight-week study, we investigated changes in tissue weight, glucose–lipid metabolism levels, serum inflammation levels, and lesions of epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) evaluated via Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining. Moreover, we analyzed the gut microbiota composition and transcriptome of eWAT to assess the potential protective effects of RD intervention. Compared with a high-fat, high-sugar diet (HFHSD) group, the RD intervention significantly enhanced glucose homeostasis (e.g., AUC-OGTT, HOMA-IR, p < 0.001), and reduced lipid metabolism (e.g., TG, LDL-C, p < 0.001) and serum inflammation levels (e.g., IL-1β, IL-6, p < 0.001). The RD intervention also led to changes in the gut microbiota composition, with an increase in the abundance of probiotics (e.g., Parabacteroides, Faecalibaculum, and Muribaculum, p < 0.05) and a decrease in harmful bacteria (Colidextribacter, p < 0.05). Moreover, the RD intervention had a noticeable effect on the gene transcription profile of eWAT, and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that differential genes were enriched in PI3K/AKT, AMPK, in glucose-lipid metabolism, and in the regulation of lipolysis in adipocytes signaling pathways. The findings demonstrated that RD not only ameliorated IR, but also remodeled the gut microbiota and modified the transcriptome profile of eWAT.

Colleges and universities should fully understand the profound significance of ideological and political education, excavate the working position, innovate the working mechanism, and cultivate the firstclass talents with both virtue and ability and all-round development. With the development of social politics and economy, public emergencies occur from time to time, which often bring huge attention and radiation force. Make full use of the special situation of such incidents, and take the initiative to penetrate the ideological and political education of college students, which is not only an objective need for the prevention and control of emergencies, but also a favorable opportunity to accurately carry out the ideological and political education of college students.

The anti-digestibility of resistant dextrin (RD) and resistant maltodextrin (RMD) is usually significantly affected by processing techniques, reaction conditions, and starch sources. The objective of this investigation is to elucidate the similarities and differences in the anti-digestive properties of RD and RMD prepared from three different tuber crop starches, namely, potato, cassava, and sweet potato, and to reveal the associated mechanisms. The results show that all RMDs have a microstructure characterized by irregular fragmentation and porous surfaces, no longer maintaining the original crystalline structure of starches. Conversely, RDs preserve the structural morphology of starches, featuring rough surfaces and similar crystalline structures. RDs exhibite hydrolysis rates of approximately 40%, whereas RMDs displaye rates lower than 8%. This disparity can be attributed to the reduction of α-1,4 and α-1,6 bonds and the development of a highly branched spatial structure in RMDs. The indigestible components of the three types of RDs range from 34% to 37%, whereas RMDs vary from 80% to 85%, with potato resistant maltodextrin displaying the highest content (84.96%, p < 0.05). In conclusion, there are significant differences in the processing performances between different tuber crop starches. For the preparation of RMDs, potato starch seems to be superior to sweet potato and cassava starches. These attributes lay the foundation for considering RDs and RMDs as suitable components for liquid beverages, solid dietary fiber supplements, and low glycemic index (low-GI) products.

Abstract Scanning Electron Microscope/Focused Ion Beam (SEM/FIB) system has become valuable and popular tool for the analysis of biological materials such as dentine structures. According to physiological and anatomical studies, dentine structures are a complicated system containing collagen fibers, nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite, and numerous networks of tubular pores. During a routine FIB milling process, collagen fibers and other organic structures are vaporized, which increases the number of pores on the milled surface of the dentine. This causes the final cross-section to be more porous than the pristine sample. Unfortunately, little attention has been paid to the collagen fiber loss and how to preserve them during a FIB milling process. In this work, we present a novel and simple approach to preserve the organic portions of the dentine structure through metal staining. By using this method, the porosity of the dentine structure after the FIB milling process is significantly reduced similar to the pristine sample. This indicates that the organic portion of the dentine structure is well protected by the metal staining. This approach enables the SEM/FIB system to generate super-high quality SEM images with less ion beam damage; and the SEM images can better reflect the original condition of the dentine structure. Further, serial energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping of the stained dentine structure is achieved without an additional metal coating; and three-dimensional (3-D) elemental mapping of an occluded dentine is achieved with a significantly reduced data acquisition time.

Background: Although recent studies have reported potential benefits of laparoscopic approach in distal pancreatectomy, reports of conversion during minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) were limited. Methods: This was a retrospective study using data from Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital around May 2013 to December 2018. Outcomes of patients who had conversions during MIDP were compared with patients with successful MIDP and with patients undergoing open distal pancreatectomy (ODP). Results: Two-hundred and eighty-three cases were included in this study: 225 (79.5%) had MIDP, 30 (10.6%) had conversions and 28 (9.9%) had outpatient department. The risk factors for conversion included large lesion size (heart rates [HR]: 5.632, 95% confidencevinterval [CI]: 1.036–1.450, P = 0.018) and pancreatic cancer (HR: 6.957, 95% CI: 1.359–8.022, P = 0.009). Compared with MIDP, those who required conversion were associated with longer operations (P = 0.003), higher blood loss (P < 0.001) and more severe of the complications (P < 0.001). However, no statistically significant differences were found between the conversion group and ODP. Conclusions: Large lesion size and pancreatic cancer were reported to be independent risk factors for conversion during MIDP. As for post-operative outcomes, the outcomes of successfully MIDP were better than those for conversion. However, conversion did not lead to worsening outcomes when compared with ODP.

Bacillus subtilis has been extensively studied for its ability to inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms and its high protease activity. In this study, Bacillus subtilis was used to ferment gluten and assess the effects of the fermentation process on the physicochemical, microstructure and antioxidant properties of gluten. The results of Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and circular chromatography (CD) showed a significant decrease in the content of α-helix structures and a significant increase in the content of β-sheet structures in gluten after fermentation (p

Abstract Magnesium silicate is an inorganic compound used as an ingredient in product formulations for many different purposes. Since its compatibility with other components is critical for product quality and stability, it is essential to characterize the integrity of magnesium silicate in different solutions used for formulations. In this paper, we have determined the magnitude of dissociation of synthetic magnesium silicate in solution with positively charged, neutral, and negatively charged compounds using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS). The EDS results were verified through Monte Carlo simulations of electron-sample interactions. The compounds chosen for this study were positively charged cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), neutral lauryl glucoside, and negatively charged sodium cocoyl glutamate and sodium cocoyl glycinate since these are common compounds used in personal care and oral care formulations. Negatively charged compounds significantly impacted magnesium silicate dissociation, resulting in physio-chemical separation between magnesium and silicate ions. In contrast, the positively charged compound had a minor effect on dissociation due to ion competition, and the neutral compound did not have such an impact on magnesium silicate dissociation. Further, when the magnesium ions are dissociated from the synthetic magnesium silicate, the morphology is changed accordingly, and the structural integrity of the synthetic magnesium silicate is damaged. The results provide scientific confidence and guidance for product development using synthetic magnesium silicate.

ε-poly-l-lysine (ε-PL) has been routinely used as a natural and safe preservative for many years in the food industry. However, most existing production methods struggle to achieve low cost and high production simultaneously. In this work, we present a co-culture fermentation strategy to enhance ε-PL production. Specifically, we screened a strain from five different strains that could be co-cultured with Streptomyces albulus to raise the production of ε-PL. Subsequently, a single factor experiment and response surface design were used to optimize the conditions of co-culture fermentation to further improve the production of ε-PL. Moreover, the optimal fermentation process was successfully verified in a 2-L fermentor with fed batch fermentation. The production of ε-PL reached 27.07 ± 0.47 g/L by 144 h. Compared with single strain (S. albulus) fermentation, the production of ε-PL was increased by 31.47%. At the same time, the amount of bacteria increased by 19.62%, which means that the ε-PL synthesis ability of bacteria had been improved. All the obtained results showed great potential for co-culture fermentation in large-scale ε-PL production and provide a new fermentation strategy for ε-PL biosynthesis.

High‐performance electromagnetic (EM) absorbing materials are in urgent need due to severe EM pollution caused by fast development of communication technology and electronic devices. Gradient structure benefits EM absorbing performance. However, the relevant study is very limited, and the relationship between component layers and overall performance is unclear. Herein, a gradient structure containing impedance matching layer, lossy layer, and reflective layer is built via repeated casting‐drying method using Ti3C2Tx MXene and polyvinyl alcohol. With optimized gradient structure, the minimum reflection loss (RL) reaches −74.8 dB with effective absorbing bandwidth (EAB) covering the whole X‐band. The good absorbing performance is ascribed to the good impedance matching, which is derived from the stepwisely increased permittivity of each layer. Moreover, it is found that RL reaches the lowest value when lossy layer permittivity is close to the average permittivity of impedance matching layer and reflective layer. In addition, the decrease of lossy layer permittivity causes the decrease of total thickness of the gradient structure. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of gradient structure toward strong and broadband microwave absorption and provides rules for designing proper gradient structures to satisfy different requirements.

Composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) are promising for the realization of solid‐state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) with high energy density and safety. However, CPEs suffer from insufficient ionic conductivity and low mechanical strength at thin films. Herein this study, a porously nanofibrous Li7La3Zr2O12 (LLZO)/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) substrate prepared by electrospinning is filled with polyethylene oxide (PEO)/lithium salt (LiTFSI) to form LLZO/PAN/PEO/LiTFSI (LPPL) CPEs. The robust LLZO/PAN nanofibrous membrane mechanically supports the soft PEO/LiTFSI, while the dispersed LLZO together with the PEO/LiTFSI forms a dual Li+ conductive pathway. Benefiting from the great synergies between the building blocks, the obtained LPPL CPEs possess a high tensile strength (8.2 MPa) with a thickness of only 20 μm, resulting in a good ionic conductivity. In addition, the LPPL CPEs also exhibit a wide electrochemical window (5.5 V), high thermal stability, and excellent stability with lithium metal. As a result, the LiFePO4 (LFP)/LPPL/Li SSLMBs show good rate capability and cycling stability (100.5 mA h g−1@1.0 C after 430 cycles) at 60 °C. In addition, the soft‐packaged LFP/LPPL/Li SSLMBs demonstrate high safety under destructive conditions such as bending and cutting. Moreover, the LPPL CPEs are also applicable to the SSLMBs with high‐energy LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) or high‐capacity sulfur cathodes.

Insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) were isolated from wheat bran (WB) after microbial fermentation with single or mixed strain [Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bacillus subtilis or mixed lactic acid bacteria (L. plantarum and L. acidophilus with ration of 1:1)]. Structure, physicochemical, functional properties, and antioxidant activity of the wheat bran insoluble dietary fiber (W-IDF) modified by fermentation were studied. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis suggested the successful modification of W-IDF. After fermentation with L. plantarum and mixed lactic acid bacteria, the water retention capacity (WRC), oil retention capacity (ORC), and water swelling capacity (WSC) of W-IDF were improved. The sodium cholate adsorption capacity (SCAC), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of W-IDF modified with L. acidophilus fermentation were significantly increased. Although the cholesterol adsorption capacity (CAC) of W-IDF decreased after modification with probiotic fermentation, nitrite ion adsorption capacity (NIAC), and total phenolic content (TPC) were enhanced. Additionally, W-IDF modified by fermentation with B. subtilis or mixed lactic acid bacteria exhibited superior antioxidant capacity verified by DPPH, ABTS and total reducing power assays. Results manifested that microbial fermentation is a promising methods to modify the W-IDF to provide high-quality functional IDF for food processing and human health management.

ε-Poly-L-lysine (ε-PL), a natural food preservative, has recently gained interest and mainly produced by Streptomyces albulus. Lacking of efficient breeding methods limit ε-PL production improving, knockout byproducts and increase of main product flux strategies as a logical solution to increase yield. However, removing byproduct formation and improving main product synthesis has seen limited success due to the genetic background of ε-PL producing organism is not clear. To overcome this limitation, random mutagenesis continues to be the best way towards improving strains for ε-PL production. Recent advances in Illumina sequencing opened new avenues to understand improved strains. In this work, we used genome shuffling on strains obtained by ribosome engineering to generate a better ε-PL producing strain. The mutant strain SG-86 produced 144.7% more ε-PL than the parent strain M-Z18. Except that SG-86 displayed obvious differences in morphology and ATP compared to parent strain M-Z18. Using Illumina sequencing, we mapped the genomic changes leading to the improved phenotype. Sequencing two strains showed that the genome of the mutant strain was about 2.1 M less than that of the parent strain, including a large number of metabolic pathways, secondary metabolic gene clusters, and gene deletions. In addition, there are many SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) and InDels (insertions and deletions) in the mutant strain. Based on the results of data analysis, a mechanism of ε-PL overproduction in S. albulus SG-86 was preliminarily proposed. This study is of great significance for improving the fermentation performance and providing theoretical guidance for the metabolic engineering construction of ε-PL producing strains.

Abstract Background It has been demonstrated that simultaneous resection of both primary colorectal lesion and metastatic hepatic lesion is a safe approach with low mortality and postoperative complication rates. However, there are some controversies over which kind of surgical approach is better. The aim of study was to compare the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic surgeries and open surgeries for simultaneous resection of colorectal cancer (CRC) and synchronous colorectal liver metastasis (SCRLM). Methods A systemic search of online database including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase was performed until June 5, 2019. Intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and long-term outcomes were synthesized by using STATA, version 15.0. Cumulative and single-arm meta-analyses were also conducted. Results It contained twelve studies with 616 patients (273 vs 343, laparoscopic surgery group and open surgery group, respectively) and manifested latest surgical results for the treatment of CRC and SCRLM. Among patients who underwent laparoscopic surgeries, they had lower rates of postoperative complications (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.96, P = 0.028), less intraoperative blood loss (weight mean difference (WMD) = − 113.31, 95% CI: − 189.03 to − 37.59, P = 0.003), less time in the hospital and recovering after surgeries (WMD = − 2.70, 95% CI: − 3.99 to − 1.40, P = 0.000; WMD = − 3.20, 95% CI: − 5.06 to − 1.34, P = 0.001), but more operating time (WMD = 36.57, 95% CI: 7.80 to 65.35, P = 0.013). Additionally, there were no statistical significance between two kinds of surgical approaches in disease-free survival and overall survival. Moreover, cumulative meta-analysis indicated statistical difference in favor of laparoscopic surgery in terms of morbidity was firstly detected in the 12th study in 2018 (OR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.46 to 0.96, P = 0.028) as the 95% CI narrowed. Conclusion Compared with open surgeries, laparoscopic surgeries are safer (postoperative complications and intraoperative blood loss) and more effective (length of hospital stay and postoperative stay), and it can be considered as the first option for management of SCRLM in high-volume laparoscopic centers. Trial registration CRD42020151176

Depression is a chronic mental illness with devastating effects on a person’s physical and mental health. Studies have reported that food fermentation with probiotics can enrich the nutritional values of food and produce functional microorganisms that can alleviate depression and anxiety. Wheat germ is an inexpensive raw material that is rich in bioactive ingredients. For example, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is reported to have antidepressant effects. Several studies concluded that Lactobacillus plantarum is a GABA-producing bacteria and can alleviate depression. Herein, fermented wheat germs (FWGs) were used to treat stress-induced depression. FWG was prepared by fermenting wheat germs with Lactobacillus plantarum. The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model was established in rats, and these rats were treated with FWG for four weeks to evaluate the effects of FWG in relieving depression. In addition, the study also analyzed the potential anti-depressive mechanism of FWG based on behavioral changes, physiological and biochemical index changes, and intestinal flora changes in depressed rats. The results demonstrated that FWG improved depression-like behaviors and increased neurotransmitter levels in the hippocampus of CUMS model rats. In addition, FWG effectively altered the gut microbiota structure and remodeled the gut microbiota in CUMS rats, restored neurotransmitter levels in depressed rats through the brain–gut axis, and restored amino acid metabolic functions. In conclusion, we suggest that FWG has antidepressant effects, and its potential mechanism may act by restoring the disordered brain–gut axis.

Abstract Background Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is a highly lethal malignancy. Neoadjuvant chemo(radio)therapy [NAC(R)T] is recommended to use for borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC) and high-risk resectable pancreatic cancer (RPC), but no high-level evidence exists. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane library to identify trials comparing survival data of NAC(R)T with SF for RPC or BRPC. Overall survival (OS) was synthesized in analysis of all the patients (intention-to-treat [ITT] analysis) and resected patients respectively. Results The meta-analysis included 17 trials with 2286 participants. For BRPC, NAC(R)T improved OS both in ITT analysis (HR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.37–0.65; P

Abstract Antimony and tin are promising anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries due to their high theoretical sodium storage capacities. However, significant volume change during cycling limits their long‐term stability and rate performance. Composite engineering can minimize this problem. A versatile method for the synthesis of Sb nanoparticles inside the mesopores of carbon fibers prepared through electrospinning and subsequent carbothermal reduction is presented in this work. The mesopore architecture can host up to 61 wt% of Sb nanoparticles and buffer the volume changes during cycling. Smaller pores in the carbon provide the pathways for reversible insertion/extraction of sodium. This binder‐free material provides high rate capability and a long‐term cycling performance when used as an anode in half‐cells. When cycled at 0.5 A g−1, the composite shows an initial capacity of 520 mA h g−1 with 507 mA h g−1 remaining after 500 cycles. Even at a high current density of 20 A g−1, a capacity of 197 mA h g−1 is still achieved. Sn nanoparticles can be embedded in the mesopores of the carbon fibers by a similar method. These Sn‐based anodes also show remarkable electrochemical performance, indicating that this approach represents a generally applicable strategy for synthesizing advanced battery anodes.

Integrated water resource scheduling is a key strategy for controlling river floods as well as for promoting the benefits and abolishing the harmful aspects of water conservancy projects. It is necessary to explore an effective development mode to address the current issues of long development times and poor outcomes for integrated water resource scheduling models. Drawing on the concept of software reuse, a development mode for an integrated water resource scheduling model is offered based on “platform system + model plug-in”, the cores of which are plug-in modules and interface integration. The boundaries and connection relations of each plug-in module are formed based on the logical analysis of the model plug-in. A web application mode is used to implement a standardized interface, which can be quickly and seamlessly connected to the system platform. The model is explored and applied in the Wudu diversion and irrigation area in China. The generated model is eventually verified using data obtained from two flood periods. According to the simulation results, the gate operation will be convenient, and the target water level will be attained in the allocated time with a satisfactory peak-clipping effect. It shows both good coordination and great utilization value of the plug-in modules. The concept of designing a plug-in database is eventually taken into consideration for combining and generating an optimization model of each river.

A major obstacle for treatment of HCC is the inadequate efficacy and limitation of the available therapeutic options. Despite the recent advances in developing novel treatment options, HCC still remains one of the major causes of cancer morbidity and mortality around the world. Achieving effective treatment and eradication of HCC is a challenging task, however recent studies have shown that targeting Natural Killer cells, as major regulators of immune system, can help with the complete treatment of HCC, restoration of normal liver function and subsequently higher survival rate of HCC patients. Studies have shown that decrease in the frequency of NK cells, their dysfunction due to several factors such as dysregulation of receptors and their ligands, and imbalance of different types of inhibitory and stimulating microRNA expression is associated with higher rate of HCC progression and development, and poor survival outcome. Here in our review, we mainly focused on the importance of NK cells in HCC development and treatment.

Passenger travel flows of urban rail transit during holidays usually show distinct characteristics different from normal days. To ensure efficient operation management, it is essential to accurately predict the distribution of holiday passenger flow. Based on Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) data, this paper explores the passengers’ destination choice differences between normal days and holidays, as well as one-way tickets and public transportation cards, which provides support for variable selection in modeling. Then, a forecasting model of holiday travel distribution is proposed, in which the destination choice model is established for representing local and nonlocal passengers. Meanwhile, explanatory variables such as land matching degree, scenic spot dummy, and level of service variables are introduced to deal with the particularity of holiday passengers’ travel behavior. The parameters calibrated by the improved weighted exogenous sampling maximum likelihood (WESML) method are applied to predict passenger flow distribution in different holiday cases with annual changes in the metro network, using the data collected from Guangzhou Metro, China. The results show that the proposed model is valid and performs better than the other comparable models in terms of forecasting accuracy. The proposed model has the capability to provide a more universal and accurate passenger flow distribution prediction method for urban rail transit in different holiday scenarios with network changes.

This study aimed to explore the characteristics of TGFBR1–epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–CTNNB1–CDH1 axis in regulating the invasion and migration in lung cancer. Using the small interfering RNA technology, EGFR was silenced in H2170 and H1299 cells. Then, the colony formation, migration, and invasion abilities were detected using colony-forming assay and transwell assay. Moreover, the mRNA expression of smad2, smad3, CTNNB1, and CDH1, and the protein expression of TGFBR1, CDH1, and TCF were determined using the real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The results showed that silencing EGFR could significantly decrease the colony-forming ability in H2170 and H1299. Knocking down EGFR could significantly inhibit the invasion and migration ability of H2179 and H1299. Inhibiting the expression of EGFR could significantly decrease the expression of smad2, smad3, CDH1, and CTNNB1, with all P -values

Owing to the attractive advantages of the simple preparation process, convenient frequency adjustment, and stable mechanical structure, magnetic flux modulation with electric controlled permeability exhibits a better performance in the reduction of 1/f noise for magnetoresistive (MR) sensors than other schemes of magnetic flux modulation. However, the magnetic flux electric modulation (MFEM) has not been experimentally verified. In this work, a prototype of the MFEM structure was established by preparing an FeGaB film on a Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)0.7O3–PbTi0.3O3 substrate, and the modulation structure was integrated into an MR sensor. A test system was built to evaluate the modulation efficiency of the MFEM structure, and the results showed that the modulation efficiency reached 9.8% with an applied electric field of 2 kV/cm at a frequency of 10 010 Hz. Meanwhile, experiments were carried out to study the effects of driving electric fields’ amplitude and frequency on modulation efficiency, and it was revealed that the modulation efficiency could be further improved by increasing the amplitude of driving voltage and reducing the thickness of the ferroelectric layer.

Cannabidiol (CBD) hemp seed oil is a commercial raw material with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that has been formulated into body wash and skin care products. The biggest analytical challenge is how to simultaneously quantify CBD and hemp seed oil as they deposited on the skin surface. CBD is easily separated and quantified from skin surface extracts via a HPLC-mass spectrometry methodology. However, the structural skeleton of triacylglycerides (TAGs) in hemp seed oil is same as those from the skin surface sebum. The strong hydrophobicity with subtle structural difference challenges their separation. In this project, a new reverse phase HPLC-high resolution mass spectrometry methodology was developed with a strong mobile phase normal propanol. The separated hemp seed oil TAGs in the chromatogram were identified and characterized using data-dependent acquisition (DDA) technology. Based on the daughter ion characterization, the separated peak with an ammonium adduct at 890.7226 [M + NH4]+ was confirmed as the parent ion of glycerol with three omega-3 fatty acid chains. This is the first time TAG structure with direct HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry technology has been elucidated without a hydrolysis reaction. The confirmed TAG structure with an ammonium adduct at 890.7226 ± 0.0020 can be used as a representative chemical marker for the hemp seed oil quantification.

Nematodes can enter cryptobiosis by dehydration as an adaptation to low-temperature environments and recover from cryptobiosis by rehydration after environmental improvement. In this work, the survival of Bursaphelenchusxylophilus third-stage dispersal juveniles was studied in response to low-temperature treatment. The average survival rates were 1.7% after −80 °C treatment for 30 d and 82.2% after −20 °C treatment for 30 d. The changes of water content and inorganic salt ions that occur in pine trees during winter gradually alter the osmotic pressure in the liquid environment to dehydrate B. xylophilus juveniles, resulting in improved survival after low-temperature treatment. The survival rate at −20 °C improved to 92.1% when the juveniles entered cryptobiosis by osmotic regulation. The results of this study demonstrate that B. xylophilus third-stage dispersal juveniles can resist low-temperature stress through cryptobiosis, providing the theoretical basis for the identification of areas potentially vulnerable to B. xylophilus in the mid-temperature and cold temperature zones of China.

Objective The hull attached to the barley kernel can be mechanically removed thus reducing the fiber content of the barley. This experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of partial dehulling on the nutrient digestibility as well as the digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) content of barley in pigs. Methods Two hulled barley samples (high fiber barley [HF] and low fiber barley [LF]) with either high or low fiber contents were obtained from the Hubei and Jiangsu Provinces of China. A portion of the two barleys was mechanically dehulled (dehulled high fiber barley [DHF] and dehulled low fiber barley [DLF]). Thirty barrows (initial BW = 31.5±3.2 kg) were assigned to one of five diets in a randomized complete block design. The five diets consisted of 96.9% corn, HF, LF, DHF, or DLF supplemented with 3.1% minerals and vitamins. Each diet was fed to six barrows housed in individual metabolism crates for a 10-d acclimation period followed by a 5-day total but separate collection of feces and urine. Results The daily loss of gross energy (GE) in feces was lower (p

Magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) as a key spintronics device can be used for the high-sensitivity magnetic field sensor and high-density non-volatile magnetic random access memory (MRAM). To obtain a high tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR), precise control of the etching process for MTJs is an essential step. In order to investigate the effect of the etching angle on the performance of MTJ devices, a series of MTJ pillars are fabricated by etching with the incidence angle of 10°, 20° and 30°. The prepared samples are characterized by the optical microscopy and SEM, and the R-H curves are also measured and then statistically analyzed. The results reveal that the performance of the MTJ is strongly affected by the IBE process, displaying the uniformity of the pillars edge and MTJ performance will improve as well with the increase of the etching angle. Then, a simplified model based on the re-deposition effect of the etching process is established to explain the experimental phenomena. Furthermore, a newly defined material parameter is introduced in this model and obtained with fitting the experimental results. This proves a valuable way to evaluate the quality of the MTJ stack film without the interference of the device fabrication process.

The pine wood nematode (PWN; Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is the causal agent of pine wilt disease, which results in severe ecological and economic losses in coniferous forests. During overwintering, PWNs undergo morphological and physiological changes to adapt to low temperature environments. Here, the physiological changes of the PWN populations sampled in the summer and winter were compared to analyze the role of low temperatures in their response. The PWN overwinters as third-stage dispersal juveniles, which showed significantly greater survival rates than summer populations (propagative forms) at sub-zero temperatures. The major biochemical compounds in the populations were analyzed by gas chromatography. Eight dominant fatty acids, with stearic acid being the most important, were identified from PWN propagative stage and third-stage dispersal stage. Compared with the propagative stage, the dispersal stage showed significant increases in the fatty acid content and the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids. Three carbohydrates, trehalose, glycerol and glucose, were detected in the PWN. Compared with the summer population, the levels of trehalose and glycerol increased significantly, while glucose decreased, in the winter population. The modifications in fatty acid composition and cryoprotectant levels, as elements of its changing physiology, play important roles in the overwintering success of the PWN.

This paper reports on a Joule-level multi-pass laser amplification device with diode end-pumped square-rod neodymium glass (Nd:glass) bonded to K9 glass. The device generated 1.17 J pulse energy at 1 Hz and 1053 nm. The optical-to-optical efficiency was 13.01%, and the effective energy extraction efficiency was 44.23%. Comparing Nd:glass of the same specification without K9 glass under the same conditions, the thermal wave aberration of the former was 85.71% of that of the latter, which is 0.78 um. The near-field modulation degree at the highest energy output was 1.42 within 90% of the spot, and the far-field energy concentration was 81.88% within the 2.5-fold diffraction limit. The Nd:glass bonding method of the square rod is relatively novel in laser amplification systems pumped by the diode end face and can be further studied in future works.

In this paper, a model to predict the thermal effects in a flashlamp-pumped direct-liquid-cooled split-disk Nd:LuAG ceramic laser amplifier has been presented. In addition to pumping distribution, the model calculates thermal-induced wavefront aberration as a function of temperature, thermal stress and thermal deformation in the gain medium. Experimental measurements are carried out to assess the accuracy of the model. We expect that this study will assist in the design and optimization of high-energy lasers operated at repetition rate.

Background: The effect of diverse oxygen transfer coefficient on the l-erythrulose production from meso-erythritol by a newly isolated strain, Gluconobacter kondonii CGMCC8391 was investigated. In order to elucidate the effects of volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa) on the fermentations, baffled and unbaffled flask cultures, and fed-batch cultures were developed in present work. Results: With the increase of the kLa value in the fed-batch culture, l-erythrulose concentration, productivity and yield were significantly improved, while cell growth was not the best in the high kLa. Thus, a two-stage oxygen supply control strategy was proposed, aimed at achieving high concentration and high productivity of l-erythrulose. During the first 12 h, kLa was controlled at 40.28 h-1 to obtain high value for cell growth, subsequently kLa was controlled at 86.31 h-1 to allow for high l-erythrulose accumulation. Conclusions: Under optimal conditions, the l-erythrulose concentration, productivity, yield and DCW reached 207.9 ± 7.78 g/L, 6.50 g/L/h, 0.94 g/g, 2.68 ± 0.17 g/L, respectively. At the end of fermentation, the l-erythrulose concentration and productivity were higher than those in the previous similar reports.

The effects of Flavomycin, Bacillus licheniformis and Enramycin on broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, gut morphology and the intestinal microflora were studied in a 42-d experiment. A total of 288, one-day-old, male, Arbor Acres broilers were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments with 12 pens per treatment and 6 birds per pen. The treatments were comprised of a control diet without supplementation, a diet supplemented with 5 ppm Flavomycin, a diet supplemented with the combination of 5 ppm Flavomycin and 1.35×109 CFU/kg Bacillus licheniformis, as well as a diet supplemented with 5 ppm Enramycin. The average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of birds fed the diet with Flavomycin combined with Bacillus licheniformis and the Enramycin diet were improved (P

In recent years, the pinewood nematode has continuously adapted to low-temperature environments and expanded from the South to the North of China. In December 2018, a large area of pinewood nematode was suspected to be harmful to Pinus tabuliformis under natural conditions in Fushun City, Liaoning Province. In order to clarify the low-temperature environment and population characteristics of pinewood nematodes in this new epidemic area, we analyzed the difference in temperature between the inside and outside of P. tabuliformis in low-temperature environments, conducted the morphological and molecular identification of pinewood nematodes in P. tabuliformis, summarized the distribution characteristics of the wintering of pinewood nematodes and explored the population structure of pinewood nematodes under different low-temperature conditions. The results indicated that the diurnal variation of temperature in dead P. tabuliformis was significantly less than the environment temperature. The lowest temperature in P. tabuliformis was 3.2 °C higher than the lowest temperature in the environment in one day; the pathogen of a large area of dead P. tabuliformis in Fushun was pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus); 84.9% of the average populations of pinewood nematodes were third-stage dispersal juveniles, which mainly gathered in 5 cm within the pupal chamber of Monochamus saltuarius Gebler. At −40 ℃, most of the third-stage dispersal juveniles of pinewood nematode in dead pine can still survive. Our study laid a foundation for the understanding of the low-temperature adaptation mechanism of pinewood nematode and contributed to the monitoring of pine wilt disease in the mid-temperate zone.