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A new donor-acceptor Stenhouse adduct based on a N,N,N'-trimethylethylenediamine donor has been reported. An unprecedented isomer has been isolated, and rich conversions between three isomers have been achieved upon visible-light irradiation or base/acid stimuli. The drastic color change associated with structural conversion has been utilized to selectively sense volatile primary amines as well as high-charged hard Lewis acids (Sc3+, Ti4+, Cr3+, and Al3+).

A precise regulation of the temperature of spin crossover (SCO) is an essential task to envisage practical applications of switchable materials. Here, we present three isostructural complexes with the formula [Fe(LCl)(NCE)2], where LCl is the tetradentate ligand N,N′-bis[(4-chloro-2-pyridyl)methyl]ethane-1,2-diamine and E = S (1-S), Se (1-Se), and BH3 (1-BH3). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, magnetic measurements, Mossbauer spectroscopy and DSC measurements have been carried out to study their SCO properties. 1-S remains in a high spin state over all temperatures due to the weak ligand field strength imposed by NCS− ligands. The replacement of NCS− by NCSe− allows the occurrence of SCO around 177 K. Using NCBH3− instead allows a further increase of the conversion temperature (T1/2) by ca. 30 K. A literature survey of complexes containing NCE− ligands was carried out to examine their influence on the SCO properties. A 50–90 K difference in T1/2 was found between NCS− and NCSe− derivatives and a 30–50 K difference was found between NCSe− and NCBH3− derivatives.

Polymorphism in spin-crossover (SCO) compounds allows accessing additional forms of switchable materials with diverse transition properties. We have prepared three polymorphs of a new complex [FeLBr(dca)2], where LBr is N,N′-bis[(5-bromo-2-pyridyl)methyl]ethane-1,2-diamine and dca is dicyanamide. They display different SCO properties: the α-form displays a hysteretic one-step switch centered at 134 K, the β-form undergoes hysteretic two-step spin transition with a plateau (T1/2 = 153 and 144 K) and the γ-form remains high spin (HS) over the whole temperature region. The kinetic origin of the hysteresis loop was demonstrated in temperature rate dependent magnetic measurements. Spin transition in the α-form is accompanied by symmetry breaking from a single Fe(II) site in the HS state to two distinct Fe(II) sites in the low spin (LS) state. In the β-form, the single crystal XRD has revealed a re-entrant symmetry change associated with the stepwise transition, with an ordered HS–LS alternating arrangement in the temperature plateau range. The corresponding Mossbauer study demonstrates a complicated evolution of spin transitions in the β-form through three different spin phases within different temperature regions.

The age of the Yukiang (Yujiang) Formation has been shrouded in controversy for more than 75 years. New investigation at the Liujing section, Hengxian County, Guangxi, has revealed a conodont sequence assignable to two Early Devonian conodont zonations: the Eognathodus kindlei?–Polygnathus pireneae Zone and the Polygnathus nothoperbonus Zone from oldest to youngest. The Gaoling and Mahuangling members of the Nahkaoling (Nagaoling) Formation and the overlying Xiayiling Member and lower part of the Shizhou Member of the Yukiang Formation are proven to belong to the Pragian Eognathodus kindlei?–Polygnathus pireneae Zone. The co-occurrence of Polygnathus pireneae and Pol. sokolovi in the lower part of the Shizhou Member demonstrates that this interval can be approximately correlated with the uppermost part of the Polygnathus pireneae Zone. However, precise level identification of the Pragian–Emsian Boundary (PEB) in the Liujing section remains dfficult due to the scarcity of suitable limestone samples for conodont analysis from the middle and upper parts of the Shizhou Member. The Daliancun and Liujing members of the Yukiang Formation and the lower part of the overlying Moding Formation are assigned to the Polygnathus nothoperbonus Zone with the nominal species of this biozone ranging from the bottom of the Daliancun Member to the lower part of the Moding Formation.

A mononuclear Fe

International audience; A mononuclear FeII complex that shows a high‐spin (S=2) paramagnetic behavior at all temperatures (with standard temperature‐scan rates, ≈1 K min−1) has, in fact, a low‐spin (S=0) ground state below 100 K. This low‐spin state is not easily accessible due to the extremely slow dynamics of the spin‐crossover process—a full relaxation from the metastable high‐spin state to the low‐spin ground state takes more than 5 h below 80 K. Bidirectional photo‐switching of the FeII state is achieved reproducibly by two selective irradiations (at 530–590 and 830–850 nm). The slow dynamics of the spin‐crossover and the strong structural cooperativity result in a remarkably wide 95‐K hysteresis loop induced by both temperature and selected light stimuli.

Many genes of industrial relevance can be found in soil. In this study, metagenome sequencing of paddy soil was performed with 55.68 Gb sequences and 1,787,113 putative open reading frames (ORFs). The functional profiles and metabolic pathway of soil metagenomes were examined using Gene Ontology, Metagenomics RAST, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. To verify the protein function and assembly of ORFs, a putative gene encoding α-galactosidase, namely GalR, which shares 65% identity with an unpublished glycoside hydrolase (GH) 27 family protein, was synthesized using its optimal codon for overexpression in Escherichia coli. GalR was successfully obtained and characterized. The optimal temperature and pH for GalR activity were 30°C and pH 9, respectively. Enzymatic activity indicated that GalR was alkaliphilic and different from acidophilic α-galactosidase in the GH 27 family. Furthermore, 50% of the relative activity of GalR can be attained for 1.7 and 0.7 h preincubation at 40°C and 50°C, respectively. Significant inhibition of GalR was observed in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), MgCl2, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and H2O2; however, it was resistant to 0.1% methanol and ethanol and was slightly activated with NaCl and KCl. The specific activity of GalR was achieved at 11.6 and 0.59 μmol/min/mg of protein using p-nitrophenyl-α- d -galactopyranoside and raffinose as substrates, respectively. Consequently, the metagenomic sequencing–based strategy can provide information for mining novel genes.

The phenolic compounds composition, antioxidant and antidiabetic properties of eight brown sorghum genotypes were investigated. DPPH radical scavenging activity was highest in SOR 03, followed by SOR 11, SOR 08 and SOR 33. SOR 33, SOR 03, SOR 08, SOR 11 showed the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity. Furthermore, SOR 11, SOR 17 and SOR 33 exhibited significantly higher percentage inhibitory activity of α-glucosidase and α-amylase (IC50 = 14.71, 32.98, 24.93 µg/ml and 27.6, 23.84, 45.01 µg/ml, respectively) compared to acarbose (IC50 = 59.34 and 27.73 µg/ml, respectively). Similarly, SOR 17, SOR 11 and SOR 33 showed significantly potent inhibition of AGEs formation with IC50 values of 14.19, 18.23 and 26.31 µg/ml, respectively, compared to aminoguanidine (AG) (52.30 µg/ml). Flavones, isoflavones and dihydroflavonols were the predominant flavonoids identified in SOR 11, SOR 17 and SOR 33 genotypes. Therefore, these sorghum grains are potential candidates for the development of functional foods.

Traditionally, the lower boundary of the Emsian (Lower Devonian) has been defined as the base of the dehiscens Zone marked by the first entry of the conodont Polygnathus dehiscens. However, following taxonomic revision of P. dehiscens, the current practice is to use the first appearance of P. kitabicus to define the base of the Emsian. As a result, specimens previously identified as P. dehiscens from South China need to be thoroughly reviewed. Careful examination of the oral and aboral features of the platform reveal that most specimens previously described as P. dehiscens from nine sections in Guangxi and Yunnan actually refer to P. excavatus excavatus or P. excavatus ssp. 114. In the South China Block, widespread and massive deposition of Devonian carbonates began during the time of the excavatus Zone, whereas the kitabicus Zone is probably located in the underlying strata, which mainly comprise marine siliciclastic rocks. Thus, the precise level of the lower boundary of the Emsian in South China is still unknown.

LU, J.-F., QIE, W.-Q. & CHEN, X.-Q., July 2016. Pragian and lower Emsian (Lower Devonian) conodonts from Liujing, Guangxi, South China. Alcheringa 40, xxx–xxx. ISSN 0311-5518.Lower Devonian (Pragian and Emsian) conodonts are described from the Liujing section in Guangxi, South China, highlighting the phylogeny of early polygnathids and establishing the basis for faunal correlations with deposits throughout the world. Records of Eognathodus kuangi sp. nov. and E. nagaolingensis Xiong increase the biodiversity of the Pragian eognathodids in South China and represent intermediate stages and probably the latest eognathodids in the evolutionary succession from Eognathodus to Polygnathus. During this evolutionary succession, the degeneration of the sulcus (or the flattening of the upper platform surface) is the most important morphological change, especially in the eognathodid lineage. Polygnathus trilinearis, P. pireneae and P. sokolovi are recognized together for the first time in South China. The contemporan...

Ventilated packaging is widely used in the forced-air precooling practice for horticultural produce. Fresh fruits are living organisms which are sensitive to temperature in turn related to airflow and heat transfer inside package. In this study, a transient mathematical model considering heat of respiration and evaporation is developed to predict the thermal response of tray-layered fruits in ventilated packages during forced-air precooling. Specifically, the heat source is combined with the energy conservation equation and loaded into numerical solution by User Defined Function (UDF). Temperature profiles of three variously distributed circular and oblong vents in three different patterns (spaced, paralleled and crossed stacking) are simulated, separately. The results show that the heat source affects fruit cooling process, and the layered fruit in paralleled stacking pattern tends to be cooled better than others. Furthermore, the results indicate that vertical oblong vent could improve the longitudinal and lateral airflow, while non-central vent design could greatly improve the overall cooling performance. Definitely a triangular distribution of three circular vents was superior to laterally distributed centre vents with 66.5% higher uniformity and 2.5°C lower of the highest temperature. Compared with the three identical vertical oblong vent conditions, vent design with one hand hole and two side vertical oblong vents can be cooled more uniformly with an increase of 6.5%. It is revealed that vents with large major-to-minor axis ratio could be applied to balance airflow and ease cooling differences for a rapid but uniform cooling. Experimental validations were performed for Sim2, Sim4 and Sim6, Sim8, Sim9, and good agreement was obtained considering the five vent conditions with the error less than 3.5°C but coordinated later (within the limits of the experimental uncertainty).Thus the numerical model can be used to predict and optimize temperature distribution within precooling packages. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The extensive Devonian marine deposits of South China have yielded few articulated crinoid cups or theca. Two Eifelian specimens, from the Gupa Member, are the first ones reported from the Yingtang Formation, Eifelian, from the Ma’anshan section, Guangxi, South China. The new taxon Guangxicrinus xiangzhouensis n. gen. n. sp. is the first report of a marsupiocrinid in China, extending the paleogeographic range of the family into the Paleotethys and the stratigraphic range of the family upward from the upper Silurian into the lower Middle Devonian, Eifelian. The occurrence of Halocrinites sp. is the third occurrence of a cupressocrinitid in China and extends the paleogeographic range from Yunnan to Guangxi.

An aryl benzyl ester dendritic axially substituted silicon (IV) phthalocyanine, a di-{3,5-di-(4-methoxycarbonyl group benzyloxy) benzyloxy) benzyloxy} axially substituted silicon (IV) phthalocyanine (DSiPc) was synthesized. Its structure was characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, IR and ESI-MS. The photophysical property of DSiPc was studied by steady and time-resolved spectroscopic methods. The steric hindrance of dendritic structure can reduced the aggregation efficiently. The photoinduced intermolecular electron transfer between this novel macromolecule and benzoquinone was studied. The results showed that the fluorescence emission of this dendritic phthalocyanine could be quenched by BQ. Therefore, this novel dendritic phthalocyanine was an effective new electron donor and transmission complex could be used as a potential artificial photosynthesis system.

A new type S-F-codoped TiO2 nanotubes electrode was fabricated by forming nanotube- like TiO2 film on a Ti sheet in an anodic oxidation process. The micro-morphology and elemental composition of it were analyzed by FE-SEM and XPS, respectively. The average diameters of these nanotubes ranged from 100 to 200 nm. The evidences from XPS indicated that S and F atoms had been doped into TiO2 nanotube. And the experiments of photoelectrocatalytic degradation of Acid Orange II (AO7) with this electrode as working electrode were carried out.

Seven brachiopod species (including three new species) and three undetermined forms are described and figured here from an unnamed stratigraphic unit which mainly consists of argillaceous and bioclastic limestone near the stratotype of the Late Silurian Xibiehe Formation of the Xibiehe section in the Darhan Mumingan Joint Banner, north of the Bateaobao area, Inner Mongolia. Three new species, Eoschizophoria minuta, Navispira navicula and Howellella asiatica are established with transverse serial sections for their interiors. All brachiopod taxa described here show that this unnamed stratigraphic unit is higher than the Late Silurian Xibiehe Formation in the Xibiehe section and is possibly transitional between the Late Silurian and the Early Devonian. Authors temporarily regard this unit as the upper part of the Xibiehe Formation in this paper.

The Early Devonian brachiopod genus Borealirhynchia was established by Su, 1976. Phylum Brachiopoda (Cambrian to Devonian). In: Paleontological Atlas of North China, Inner Mongolia Volume 1. Geological Publishing House Beijing, pp. 155–227 (in Chinese). It has not been previously described in detail, nor have transverse serial sections of the internal features of Borealirhynchia delerensis , the type species, been published. In this paper Borealirhynchia , along with a few species previously assigned to it, is analysed and discussed. Detailed transverse serial sections of the internal features of B.? lata Su, 1976, are provided, based on well-preserved specimens collected from the Lower Devonian strata of Dong Ujimqin Qi, northeastern Inner Mongolia. Borealirhynchia? gigantea Su, 1976 and Latonotoechia multicosta Su, 1976 are considered to be synonyms of B.? lata Su with the same external and internal characters present in all three species. Some Lower Devonian strata, in which Borealirhynchia was found and reported, from Dong Ujimqin Qi, northeastern Inner Mongolia, are fully described.

The brachiopod fauna (20 species in 6 genera) from the Ma’anshan section of the late Emsian Dale Formation at Zhongping, Xiangzhou county, central Guangxi is described. The fauna is dominated by spire-bearing brachiopods. One new genus and 4 new species are proposed: the smooth-shelled, septalium-bearingLubricospirifer gumoensis gen. et sp. nov.,Parathyrisina transitoria sp. nov.,Acrospirifer shipengensis sp. nov. andBarbarothyris? luhuiensis sp. nov.Athyrisinoidea Chen &Wan 1980 is regarded as equating partly withAthyrisina partly withParathyrisina. Excellence of preservation has provided an opportunity to present internal structure — obtained from serial sections — for 12 of the 20 species represented.

To compare PPD conversion with γ-interferon release assay (IGRA) in determining the newly Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection during a TB outbreak.The 505 subjects exposed to a TB outbreak were divided into 3 groups based upon the induration diameters of PPD before the outbreak. The changes of PPD induration diameters were observed in different groups, and correlation between PPD conversion or IGRA and exposure levels were analyzed by logistic regression.In subjects with the highest exposure level, the increase in induration of PPD was (12 ± 5) mm, (7 ± 4) mm, and (5 ± 3) mm respectively among the previous PPD5 mm, 5 -10 mm, and ≥ 10 mm groups, the difference being significant among groups, χ(2) = 43.12, P0.01. Using logistic regression analysis, PPD conversion was related to the exposure level (OR = 4.70, P0.05) only in the PPD5 mm group, while IGRA positivity was closely related to the exposure levels in all 3 groups (OR values were 2.16 - 3.60, P0.05). In the high exposure group, the subjects with IGRA positivity combined with PPD conversion rate was 26.1% (31/119), and the subjects with IGRA positivity but no PPD conversion rate was 39.5% (47/119), while in the low exposure group the results were 6.5% (12/185) and 16.8% (31/185) respectively, the difference being significant (χ(2) = 22.82 and 19.63, P0.01). After 1 year of follow-up, the reversion rate of the subjects with IGRA positivity was 48.1% (91/189), while the mean increase value of PPD was (1.1 ± 4.0) mm.IGRA is superior to PPD conversion in the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection, and more valuable in the detection of newly infected cases.

A new type TiO 2 nanotubes (TiO 2 -NTs) were fabricated by forming nanotube-like TiO 2 film on a Ti sheet in anodic oxidation processes. The micro-morphology and phase structure of it was analyzed by FE-SEM and XRD, respectively. The average outer diameters of these nanotubes rang from 140 to 160 nm. The evidences from the electrochemical station indicated that the TiO 2 -NTs had flat and wide potential window. Cyclic voltammetry of Fe2+ was conducted in 0.5 M KCl. A stable, quasi-reversible voltammetric response is seen for Fe at the TiO 2 -NTs electrode, and the anodic and the cathodic peak potentials were 0.675 and −0.329 V vs. saturated calomel electrode at a scan rate of 0.05 V s−1, respectively. Both anodic and cathodic peak currents depended linearly on the square root of the scan rate over the range of 0.025–0.2 V s−1, which suggested that the process of the electrode reactions was diffusion-controlled. The photoelectrocatalytic experiments showed the high photoelectrocatalytic properties of TiO 2 -NTs arrays electrode under visible light.

To study the difference of plasma actual bicarbonate between the children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and idopathatic short stature (ISS) and to value the plasma bicarbonate standard deviation scores (SDS) in diagnosis of GHD.Forty-seven short stature children were divided into two groups (GHD and ISS) according to the peak GH response to provocative test. Plasma actual bicarbonate concentrations anion gap (AG), base excess and electrolytes were measured in 47 children with short stature before GH provocative tests.The mean plasma actual bicarbonate concentrations, bicarbonate SDS were (22.60+/-1.29)mmol/L and -0.27+/-0.98 respectively in GHD children, which were significantly lower than those of ISS children (P0.01), whereas AG was higher than that of ISS children [(11.73+/-4.52 vs 7.87+/-1.70) mmol/L], P0.01. Seventy-two percent of patients with bicarbonate SDSor=1 s were diagnosed as GHD.Plasma actual bicarbonate concentrations and bicarbonate SDS are lower in patients with GHD than those in patients with idopathatic short stature. Evaluation of plasma bicarbonate SDS of short stature children can predict the probability of GHD, especially when bicarbonate SDS is less than 1 s.