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cis‐Prenyltransferases (cis‐PTs) catalyze the sequential head‐to‐tail condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) to allylic diphosphates, producing mixed E–Z prenyl diphosphates of varying lengths; however, the specific enzymes synthesizing cis‐C25 prenyl diphosphates have not been identified. Herein, we present the discovery and characterization of a cis‐geranylfarnesyl diphosphate synthase (ScGFPPS) from Streptomyces clavuligerus. This enzyme demonstrates high catalytic proficiency in generating six distinct cis‐polyisoprenoids, including three C25 and three C20 variants. We determined the crystal structure of ScGFPPS. Additionally, we unveil the crystal structure of nerylneryl diphosphate synthase (NNPS), known for synthesizing an all‐cis‐C20 polyisoprenoid. Comparative structural analysis of ScGFPPS and NNPS has identified key differences that influence product specificity. Through site‐directed mutagenesis, we have identified eight single mutations that significantly refine the selectivity of ScGFPPS for cis‐polyisoprenoids. Our findings not only expand the functional spectrum of cis‐PTs but also provide a structural comparison strategy in cis‐PTs engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

cis‐Prenyltransferases (cis‐PTs) catalyze the sequential head‐to‐tail condensation of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP) to allylic diphosphates, producing mixed E–Z prenyl diphosphates of varying lengths; however, the specific enzymes synthesizing cis‐C25 prenyl diphosphates have not been identified. Herein, we present the discovery and characterization of a cis‐geranylfarnesyl diphosphate synthase (ScGFPPS) from Streptomyces clavuligerus. This enzyme demonstrates high catalytic proficiency in generating six distinct cis‐polyisoprenoids, including three C25 and three C20 variants. We determined the crystal structure of ScGFPPS. Additionally, we unveil the crystal structure of nerylneryl diphosphate synthase (NNPS), known for synthesizing an all‐cis‐C20 polyisoprenoid. Comparative structural analysis of ScGFPPS and NNPS has identified key differences that influence product specificity. Through site‐directed mutagenesis, we have identified eight single mutations that significantly refine the selectivity of ScGFPPS for cis‐polyisoprenoids. Our findings not only expand the functional spectrum of cis‐PTs but also provide a structural comparison strategy in cis‐PTs engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a new distributed finite‐time optimization algorithm for agents under directed graphs. By employing the nonsmooth technique and graph theory, a distributed discontinuous algorithm for continuous‐time agents subject to strongly convex local cost functions is first designed with a finite‐time distributed estimator, where the gradients of the local cost functions are estimated in finite time. It is shown that for a strongly connected graph and arbitrary initial conditions, the proposed algorithms can achieve consensus, and the systems can converge to the optimal point in finite time. Then, a two‐step approach is proposed to achieve finite‐time optimization of high‐order agents with disturbances under directed graphs. Finally, the validity of the proposed finite‐time optimization algorithm is verified by two numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Majority classes are easily to be found in imbalance datasets, instead, minority classes are hard to be paid attention to due to the number of is rare. However, most existing classifiers are better at exploring majority classes, resulting in that classification results are unfair. To address this issue of binary classification for imbalance data, this paper proposes a novel fuzzy support vector machine. The thought is that we trained two support vector machines to learn the majority class and the minority class, respectively. Then, the proposed fuzzy is used to estimate the assistance provided by instance points for the training of the support vector machines. Finally, it can be judged for unknown instance points through evaluating that they provided the assistance to the training of the support vector machines. Results on the ten UCI datasets show that the class accuracy of the proposed method is 0.747 when the imbalanced ratio between the classes reaches 87.8. Compare with the competitors, the proposed method wins over them in classification performance. We find that aiming at the classification of imbalanced data, the complexity of data distribution has negative effects on classification results, while fuzzy can resist these negative effects. Moreover, fuzzy can assist those classifiers to gain superior classification boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An increasing number of patients are discharged from a total hip or knee arthroplasty with a short length of hospital stay. Technologies, such as mobile applications, are used to provide remote support to patients' postoperative rehabilitation. Patients' experiences of receiving mobile application-based rehabilitation after total hip or knee arthroplasty have not been investigated extensively. Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study. Twenty-five participants who had completed a mobile application-based rehabilitation programme for total hip or knee arthroplasty were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via telephone between July 2021 and January 2022 regarding the participants' experiences using the programme. All interviews were audio-recorded and verbatim transcribed. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. The reporting of this study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Results: Data analysis revealed five categories: (a) improved access to health care, (b) encouraged postoperative recovery, (c) established supportive relationships, (d) facilitated learning, and (e) future directions. Conclusion: The theory-underpinned mobile application-based rehabilitation programme demonstrated potential value in supporting patients' rehabilitation after arthroplasty. Nurses can consider using mobile technologies to expand their role in arthroplasty rehabilitation and improve the quality of rehabilitation care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An increasing number of patients are discharged from a total hip or knee arthroplasty with a short length of hospital stay. Technologies, such as mobile applications, are used to provide remote support to patients' postoperative rehabilitation. Patients' experiences of receiving mobile application-based rehabilitation after total hip or knee arthroplasty have not been investigated extensively. Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study. Twenty-five participants who had completed a mobile application-based rehabilitation programme for total hip or knee arthroplasty were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted via telephone between July 2021 and January 2022 regarding the participants' experiences using the programme. All interviews were audio-recorded and verbatim transcribed. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. The reporting of this study followed the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Results: Data analysis revealed five categories: (a) improved access to health care, (b) encouraged postoperative recovery, (c) established supportive relationships, (d) facilitated learning, and (e) future directions. Conclusion: The theory-underpinned mobile application-based rehabilitation programme demonstrated potential value in supporting patients' rehabilitation after arthroplasty. Nurses can consider using mobile technologies to expand their role in arthroplasty rehabilitation and improve the quality of rehabilitation care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this review was to systematically evaluate the available evidence on the effectiveness of internet-based telerehabilitation among patients after total joint arthroplasty regarding pain, range of motion, physical function, health-related quality of life, satisfaction, and psychological well-being. Methods: This was a systematic review with meta-analysis based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions guidelines. Studies published in English or Chinese were searched using defined search periods, databases, and search terms. Two reviewers assessed independently the quality of studies. RevMan 5.3 was used for meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using the χ 2 and I 2 statistic. A random effect model and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was adopted. Standardised mean difference (SMD) was used if the outcome was measured by different scales. Results: Eleven studies with 1020 participants were analysed. Compared to face-to-face rehabilitation, internet-based telerehabilitation showed no significant difference in outcomes of pain (SMD–0.11, 95% CI–0.32 to 0.10), range of motion in flexion (MD 0.65, 95% CI–1.18 to 2.48) and extension (MD–0.38, 95% CI–1.16 to 0.40), patient-reported physical function (SMD 0.01, 95% CI–0.15 to 0.17), health-related quality of life (SMD–0.09, 95% CI–0.26 to 0.07), satisfaction (SMD–0.04, 95% CI–0.21 to 0.14), and psychological well-being (SMD 0.10, 95% CI–0.13 to 0.33). Internet-based telerehabilitation showed better outcomes in physical functional tests (SMD–0.54, 95% CI–1.08 to–0.01). Discussion: This review suggests that internet-based telerehabilitation has comparable effectiveness to face-to-face rehabilitation on rehabilitation outcomes among patients after total joint arthroplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we are concerned with distributed finite-time optimisation of multi-agent systems with unknown high-frequency gain signs under switching digraphs. First, a distributed finite-time gradient estimator-based optimal signal generator is constructed by adopting finite-time stability theory and graph theory. Then, considering the existence of unknown high-frequency gain signs in multi-agent systems, we propose new distributed asymptotic optimisation algorithms via the Nussbaum-type function. Additionally, in order to accelerate convergence, the novel distributed finite-time optimisation algorithms are presented. Both of the newly proposed algorithms can realise optimal consensus of multi-agent systems with unknown high-frequency gain signs under switching digraphs. Finally, two simulation examples are illustrated to verify the proposed algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma is a kind of invasive malignant tumor followed by hepatocellular carcinoma. miR-451 was suggested to function as regulator in various human tumors, but its role in mediating tumor progression and predicting the prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma remains unknown. The clinical significance and biological function of miR-451 in cholangiocarcinoma were assessed in this study. Results: The tissue and serum expression of miR-451 was decreased in cholangiocarcinoma compared with corresponding normal samples. The downregulation of miR-451 was associated with the progressive TNM stage and positive lymph node metastasis of patients. miR-451 was identified to be an indicator of the diagnosis and prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma distinguishing cholangiocarcinoma patients from healthy volunteers and predicting the poor outcome of patients. miR-451 also served as a tumor suppressor negatively regulating the cellular processes of cholangiocarcinoma. Conclusions: miR-451 played a vital role in the early detection and risk prediction of cholangiocarcinoma. miR-451 also suppressed the progression of cholangiocarcinoma, which provides a potential therapeutical target for cholangiocarcinoma treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives: To obtain an in‐depth understanding of the specific needs of patients for rehabilitation services delivered via mobile applications after total hip or knee arthroplasty. Background: Due to increased demand for arthroplasty, the provision of face‐to‐face rehabilitation services for patients is becoming challenging. New approaches using digital technologies are being developed, such as mobile applications to deliver rehabilitation services. However, the perspectives of patients on the delivery of these services via mobile applications after total hip or knee arthroplasty have not been explored extensively. Design: A qualitative descriptive study. Methods: Twenty patients who had been discharged from the hospital after a total hip or knee arthroplasty were interviewed via telephone about their needs regarding the future use of mobile applications to conduct arthroplasty rehabilitation. Interview records were transcribed verbatim and analysed using inductive content analysis. Reporting of the findings complies with the COREQ checklist for qualitative studies. Results: Four categories emerged from the data collected from the participants: (1) assisting rehabilitation self‐management, (2) facilitating peer support, (3) facilitating contact with healthcare professionals and (4) supporting emotional well‐being. Conclusions: The study provided an in‐depth understanding of the specific needs of patients for rehabilitation services delivered via mobile applications after total hip or knee arthroplasty. The findings of the study could be used in the development or revision of mobile application rehabilitation programmes to better support the rehabilitation of patients. Future studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of such programmes, especially including the self‐efficacy of patients as an outcome measure. Relevance to clinical practice: From the perspective of patients who have undergone arthroplasty, a mobile application rehabilitation programme should encourage patients in rehabilitation self‐management, assist them to contact healthcare professionals and other patients and support their postoperative emotional well‐being. The study findings will assist nurses with the preparation and delivery of telerehabilitation programmes after arthroplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • HPH-assisted pH shift treatment markedly increased the solubility of hemp protein. • Enhanced structural unfolding in pH shifted hemp protein was spotted when pressurized. • The particle size of hemp protein was reduced by the combined treatment. • Changes in protein structure impelled the absorption of proteins at the oil–water interface. A pH shift treatment aided by high pressure homogenization (HPH) with various pressures (0–120 MPa) was employed to structurally modify hempseed protein isolate (HPI). Compared with individual pH shift or HPH treatment, HPH-assisted pH shift improved the structural flexibility of HPI, as revealed by the increased random coil in protein secondary structure. With the incorporation of HPH into pH shift, the intrinsic fluorescence intensity was remarkably attenuated and redshifted, whereas the surface hydrophobicity was pronouncedly boosted, indicating the extensive unfolding of protein structure. Moreover, the cotreated HPI exhibited a smaller and more homogenous particle size, notably at a higher pressure. Consequently, the solubility was drastically raised by the cooperated treatments, to the maximum value (62.8 %) at 120 MPa. These physicochemical changes in the cotreated HPI facilitated a consolidated interfacial activity. Moreover, the cooperated treatment, especially highly pressured (120 MPa), facilitated the penetration and rearrangement of proteins at the oil–water interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global increase in total hip or knee arthroplasty has led to concern about the provision of postoperative rehabilitation. Telerehabilitation may be a strategy to meet the patients' requirements for rehabilitation after arthroplasty. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of a telerehabilitation programme delivered via the mobile application WeChat in patients after total hip or knee arthroplasty on the following outcomes: self-efficacy, physical function, pain, depression, anxiety and health-related quality of life.Methods: This is a single-centre, single-blinded, parallel-group, superiority randomised controlled trial conducted in Shanghai, China. Eighty-four eligible participants who undergo primary total hip or knee arthroplasty will be recruited preoperatively in a university teaching hospital and randomly assigned to the experimental or control group with their informed consent. Once discharged, the control group (n = 42) will receive the usual care provided by the hospital. The experimental group (n = 42) will receive usual care and a 6-week mobile application rehabilitation programme that consists of physical exercises and techniques for enhancing participants' self-efficacy for rehabilitation. Baseline assessments will be conducted on the day before hospital discharge, and outcome assessments will be conducted 6 and 10 weeks postoperatively. The primary outcomes are changes in self-efficacy and physical function 6 weeks postoperatively, and the secondary outcomes include pain, depression, anxiety and health-related quality of life. The approach of a generalised estimating equation will be used to analyse the effect of the intervention on outcomes at a significance level of 0.05.Discussion: This study is the first of its kind conducted in China to incorporate self-efficacy and learning theories as a framework to guide the development of a mobile application rehabilitation programme after arthroplasty. This study will contribute to the knowledge about the effectiveness of mobile application-based rehabilitation among patients after total hip or knee arthroplasty. If the findings are positive, they will support the implementation of mobile application-based rehabilitation in practice, which may potentially increase the accessibility of rehabilitation services as well as patient adherence to rehabilitation.Trial Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12621000867897 . Retrospectively registered on July 6, 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viral infections are caused by the adhesion of viruses to host cell receptors, including sialylated glycans, glycosaminoglycans, and human blood group antigens (HBGAs). Atomic-level structural information on the interactions between viral particles or proteins with glycans can be determined to provide precise targets for designing antiviral drugs. Milk glycans, existing as free oligosaccharides or glycoconjugates, have attracted increasing attention; milk glycans protect infants against infectious diseases, particularly poorly manageable viral infections. Furthermore, several glycans containing structurally distinct sialic acid/fucose/sulfate modifications in human milk acting as a "receptor decoy" and serving as the natural antiviral library, could interrupt virus-receptor interaction in the first line of defense for viral infection. This review highlights the basis of virus-glycan interactions, presents specific glycan receptor binding by gastroenterovirus viruses, including norovirus, enteroviruses, and the breakthroughs in the studies on the antiviral properties of human milk glycans, and also elucidates the role of glycans in respiratory viruses infection. In addition, recent advances in methods for performing virus/viral protein-glycan interactions were reported. Finally, we discuss the prospects and challenges of the studies on the clinical application of human milk glycan for viral interventions. This scope focuses on the role of cell surface sugars in viral infection and underlines virus-glycan interactions using representative structures of viral particles or viral proteins in complex with glycans. Glycans from human milk block viral adhesion to the cell surface, reducing the risk of viral infections in babies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-component signal system (TCS) is the predominant bacterial sense-and-response machinery. RpfC/RpfG TCS involved in quorum sensing molecule Diffuse Signal Factor (DSF) signal perception and transduction was well studied in many bacteria. However, whether other environmental factors participating in the signal perception and transduction of RpfC/RpfG was still unclear. Here, we showed that RpfC/RpfG could integrate temperature and DSF signal partially controlling the production of the temperature-dependent protease (SmtP) in S. maltophilia FF11, a strain isolated from frozen Antarctic krill, exhibited spoilage potential due to secret more protease at low temperatures involving in protein degradation. qRT-PCR analysis revealed rpf system mediating approximately 60% transcription activity of Clp, a critical transcription factor linking with LotS/LotR, consisting a signal network controlling completely the SmtP production in previous study. Protease production was partially reduced in rpfF (coding DSF synthetase) mutant strains at 15 °C or 25 °C, not be increased through addition DSF or overexpression RpfF in WT at 37 °C, indicating that DSF was effective for protease production only at low temperatures in S. maltophilia. Additionally, biochemical analysis revealed the enzymatic activity of RpfG from strain FF11 cultured at 37 °C or DSF-deficient strains grown at 25 °C was significantly reduced compared to that of RpfG from strain FF11 cultured at 25 °C. These findings outline an interplay mechanism that allows S. maltophilia to integrate quorum sensing and temperature cues controlling protease production, and imply a potential relationship between two distinct systems of RpfC/RpfG and LotS/LotR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distributed primal-dual methods have been widely used for solving large-scale constrained optimization problems. The majority of existing results focus on the problems with decoupled constraints. Some recent works have studied the problems subject to separable globally coupled constraints. This paper considers the distributed optimization problems with globally coupled constraints over networks without requiring the separability of the globally coupled constraints. This is made possible by the local estimates of the constraint violations. For solving such a problem, we propose a primal-dual algorithm in the augmented Lagrangian framework, combining the average consensus technique. We first establish a non-ergodic convergence rate of $\mathcal {O}(1/k)$ in terms of the objective residual for solving a distributed constrained convex optimization problem, where $k$ is the iteration counter. Specifically, the global objective function is the aggregate of the local convex and possibly non-smooth costs, and the coupled constraint is the sum of the local linear equality constraints. The numerical results illustrate the performance of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of patients underwent PVP for OVCF as day surgery with the outcomes of patients managed as traditional inpatients. Methods: According to the selection criteria, patients who underwent PVP for single-segment thoracolumbar OVCF were included retrospectively in the day surgery procedure (DSP) group and the traditional inpatient procedure (TIP) group between April 2018 and September 2019. The visual analog scale score (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score were recorded preoperatively and 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery. Duration of hospital stay, preoperative waiting time, hospital cost, and postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed. Results: A total of 335 patients (53 in DSP group; 282 in TIP group) were enrolled and completed 12-month follow-up. The mean duration of hospital stay, the mean preoperative waiting time, and the mean hospital costs were significant lower in the DSP group. The postoperative VAS and ODI scores in both groups were significantly improved after surgery. Moreover, both VAS and ODI scores at each follow-up stage were also significantly lower than the previous follow-up stage. However, the ODI score in the DSP group was significantly lower at 1-day, 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month follow-up, respectively. For cement leakage and secondary vertebral compression fractures, there was no statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusions: We suggest that PVP for OVCFs in day surgery procedure is worthy of wide application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the formation control of connected autonomous vehicle (CAV) platoons moving in multi lanes using distance‐based formation control techniques based on rigid graphs and V2V communication. A hierarchical architecture is proposed to decompose the cooperative control into velocity planning and vehicle dynamic control. A new velocity planning method is first developed via a distributed distance‐based formation controller so that each vehicle can keep platoon and change lane. Then, for the vehicle dynamics with nonlinearities and bounded disturbances, an adaptive controller is designed for regulating driving/braking torque to achieve the longitudinal velocity output of the velocity planner. The steering controller is designed to adjust the yaw angle of each vehicle to track and change lanes. Furthermore, stability analysis is conducted based on the Lyapunov theory. Finally, the applications of the proposed control designs to various of automated highway system (AHS) scenarios including lane‐change, curve lane and platoon overtaking, are simulated and numerically analysed to validate the effectiveness of theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we explore the possibility of designing a continuous control algorithm for time‐varying networks of high‐order nonlinear agents with input saturation. A class of neural network‐based (NN) distributed control algorithms are proposed for the consensus of nonlinear agents with input saturation and nonidentical unknown control directions (UCDs) under uniformly quasi‐strongly δ‐connected graphs. An NN is used to cancel the unknown part of agent dynamics due to the well known NN function approximation property. Also, an adaptive smooth term is employed to compensate for the bounded disturbance, the approximation error. Moreover, an auxiliary system is designed to counteract the effect of input saturation. Furthermore, the control law is augmented with the Nussbaum‐type function to obtain an estimation of the UCDs. It is proven rigorously that the consensus of nonlinear agents with input saturation and nonidentical UCDs can be guaranteed, and the boundedness of all signals of closed‐loop systems is ensured. Finally, simulation examples are given to show the effectiveness of our theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the optimal consensus problem of high‐order nonlinear agents under digraphs by PI regulation. A new type of adaptive PI variables is proposed for the first time, which is independent of the global information of graphs and complex dynamics. With the proposed variables, a key lemma is derived to transform the optimal consensus problem into a regulation problem, such that classical control techniques are used to regulate the adaptive PI variables for more complex dynamics. We also develop a new kind of distributed control algorithms based on the adaptive PI variables, Nussbaum‐type functions, and neural networks (NN). The proposed algorithms achieve the optimal consensus for high‐order nonlinear agents with nonidentical unknown control directions, bounded disturbances, and input saturation over weight‐unbalanced directed networks. Finally, a simulation example is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing results for cooperative control of high-order agents mainly employ the Nussbaum-type function to cope with unknown control directions and mostly require an assumption that the control directions are identical and unknown. This paper proposes a class of algorithms with nonlinear PI functions to relax such an assumption and make them suitable for nonidentical unknown control directions. It is proven that if the distributed nonlinear PI functions are suitably selected, the proposed algorithms can achieve consensus for high-order agents under strongly connected topologies and switching topologies with a jointly strongly connected basis (JSCB). Furthermore, we extend the consensus results to the case of time-varying topologies described by $\delta $ -connected, continuous graphs. As a special case, the consensus of high-order agents under the directed graph having a spanning tree is also investigated. Finally, illustrative simulations are presented to indicate the efficiency of the proposed algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Gallic acid (GA) and EGCG were cooperated and incorporated to whey protein cold-set emulsion gel. • GA/EGCG promoted hydrophobic interactions, compact microstructure, and gel strength of the gel. • An artificial gastric digestive system was applied to evaluate the dynamic gastric digestion. • GA/EGCG caused less disintegration and protein hydrolysis during dynamic gastric digestion. • GA/EGCG, notably at a 3:1 ratio, facilitated controlled lipid release in the intestine of the gel. Gallic acid (GA) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), cooperated at varied ratios (1:0, 3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 0:1), were employed to modify gel properties of calcium induced-whey protein emulsion gel. The effects of GA/EGCG on emulsion morphology, as well as gel properties and in vitro digestive behavior of the emulsion gels were investigated. Compared with emulsions without phenolics, GA/EGCG induced slightly smaller particle size and stronger electrostatic repulsion between emulsion droplets. Moreover, GA/EGCG, notably at a ratio of 3:1, promoted electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between protein molecules and the formation of a compact and filamentous gel microstructure, resulting in a remarkable increment in the gel strength (up to 106 %). Furthermore, in vitro oral digestion, dynamic gastric digestion (using an artificial gastric digestive system, AGDS), and intestinal digestion of the emulsion gels were simulated. Particle size and protein hydrolysis results revealed that GA/EGCG was prone to weaken the physical disintegration of gels, reduce protein hydrolysis, and enhance the stability of emulsified oil droplets during dynamic gastric digestion. As a consequence, delayed release of oil droplets was observed in the gels and more free fatty acids were released in the intestinal digestion, particularly in the gel with GA/EGCG (3:1). These findings would provide novel strategies for application of phenolic compounds in developing protein gel-based delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transport properties of two different Si2Li clusters adsorption structures (bridge-site type and apex-site type) between two semi-infinite Au(100)-3 × 3 electrodes have been studied using first principles based on density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green's function in this paper. The I–V curves of both systems are linear and demonstrate the properties of metal resistance. The bridge-site type displays better electron transport capacity due to more transferring charge between the cluster and electrodes. The conductance change of the two systems becomes completely different due to the drift of the energy level under bias, which is no longer dependent on the transfer of charge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper solves the adaptive consensus problem for first-order linearly parameterized agents with completely nonidentical unknown high-frequency gain signs under directed graphs. A new class of Nussbaum-type function-based algorithms are proposed to handle the unknown high-frequency gain signs adaptively and cooperatively. It is shown that if the underlying topology is a fixed graph with strongly connected or switching topologies having a jointly strongly connected basis, the first-order linearly parameterized agents with nonidentical unknown high-frequency gain signs can achieve asymptotic consensus. Finally, the effectiveness of proposed algorithms are verified by one simulation example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A self‐triggered model predictive control (MPC) scheme for continuous‐time perturbed nonlinear systems subject to bounded disturbances is investigated in this study. A self‐triggered strategy is designed to obtain the inter‐execution time before the next trigger using the current sampled state. An optimisation problem is addressed to obtain the optimal control trajectory at each triggered instant. The so‐called dual‐mode approach is used to stabilise the perturbed closed‐loop system. Furthermore, sufficient conditions are derived to ensure the feasibility and stability, respectively. It is shown that with a properly designed prediction horizon, the feasibility of the proposed self‐triggered MPC algorithm can be guaranteed if the disturbance is bounded in a small enough area. Meanwhile, the stability is proved under the self‐triggered condition. Finally, a numerical example is given to illustrate the efficacy of the authors proposed scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an adaptive neural network (NN) control method is proposed for the problem of nonlinear course control of ships with input constraints and unknown direction control gains. Specifically, dynamic surface control is used to overcome the problem of explosion of complexity inherent in the backstepping technique, and the Nussbaum function is employed to deal with the unknown signs of control gains. It is proved that the proposed adaptive NN control method, which is composed of dynamic surface control and a backstepping technique with the Nussbaum gain function, is able to guarantee uniform ultimate boundedness of all the signals in the controlled system. In addition, the tracking error between the output of the controlled system and a desired trajectory is shown to converge to a small neighbourhood of the origin. Finally, one example is introduced to illustrate the proposed theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia as one of increasing food spoilage bacteria and fish pathogens has become a threat to aquiculture industry. A major factor contributing to the success of bacterium is its outstanding ability to secrete protease at low temperatures. Here, a cAMP receptor like protein (Clp) shows a positive regulation on this protease, named S. maltophilia temperature-response protease (SmtP). Interestingly, a two-component system, comprising of LotS sensor and LotR regulator, for low-temperature response is also confirmed to modulate SmtP expression with similar effect to Clp. Evidence is presented that LotS/LotR modulates smtP (coding SmtP) expression via Clp: clp promoter activity was reduced significantly at low temperatures and protease activity was partially restored by Clp overexpressed in lotS or lotR deletion strain. Furthermore, as a Clp negative effector, the binding ability of c-di-GMP with Clp is not impacted by temperature. c-di-GMP level was increased in S. maltophilia growing at high temperature, but not exhibited significantly in lotR deleted strain, these indicate that LotR is required for temperature modulating c-di-GMP level, although the synthesis or degradation activity of c-di-GMP by LotR was not detected. These findings suggest that LotS/LotR/Clp play an important role in responding to temperature stimuli via c-di-GMP mediated manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endothelial cell protein C receptor (EPCR) serves a key role in activated protein C (APC)-mediated cytoprotective effects in endothelial cells, and is involved in the development of certain types of human cancer. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to demonstrate that EPCR may exert effects on gastric cancer angiogenesis in vitro. To detect microvessel density (MVD), the microvascular endothelial cells were stained for cluster of differentiation (CD)31 and CD34 in 61 cases of surgical resection of gastric carcinoma tissues, and the association between the expression of EPCR protein and MVD was analyzed. In addition, to analyze the effect of EPCR expressed by gastric cancer cells on the proliferation, migration and angiogenic abilities of endothelial cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured with tumor-conditioned medium derived from EPCR knockdown or protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1)-blocked MGC803 gastric cancer cells. A CCK-8 assay was used to assess the proliferation ability of the HUVECs. A Transwell assay was performed to assess the migration ability of the HUVECs and a Matrigel-based tube formation assay was used to assess the angiogenic activity of the HUVECs. The results demonstrated that the expression of EPCR was correlated with the MVD of gastric cancer tissues. When cultured with tumor-conditioned medium derived from EPCR knockdown or PAR1-blocked MGC803 cells, the proliferation, migration and tubules formation abilities of HUVECs were markedly inhibited markedly. The expression of phosphorylated (p)-extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2, p-protein kinase B (AKT; s473) and p-AKT (T308) in the HUVECs was decreased. In addition, EPCR knockdown inhibited PAR1 activation in the MGC803 cells. These results indicated that the expression of EPCR in gastric cancer cell line MGC803 contributes to tumor angiogenesis in vitro by activating ERK1/2 and AKT, and that this effect of EPCR is dependent on PAR1 activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternanthera philoxeroides is an alien invasive species, which can cause substantial damage to the local ecosystem by secreting allelochemicals. The objective of the present study was to appraise the effects of root extracts of the invasive plant Alternanthera philoxeroides on soil enzyme and native microbial community. Urease activity was measured using the phenol sodium hypochlorite colorimetric method, sucrase activity was determined by 3, 5-dinitrosalicylic acid colorimetric method, catalase activity was determined using the KMnO4 titration method and alkaline phosphatase activity was determined by the disodium phenyl phosphate colorimetric method. The soil microbial community was investigated by pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Results showed that the alkaline phosphatase, sucrase and urease activities were all significantly lower than that of the control treatment. The structure of the soil microbial community in the treatments with root extracts addition clearly differed from that of the control treatment. The result showed that the relative abundance of microorganism decreased including Burkhholderia, Gp6, Gp1 and Gp4 in the applied treatments at genus level as compared to control treatment. Hence, we inferred that A. philoxeroides could inhibit the growth of native plant species through toxic effects on soil enzyme activities and the microbial community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemp milk, an emerging beverage with high nutritional value and low allergenicity, is an attractive alternative to dairy, soy, and nut milks. To obtain a non-thermally processed, physically and oxidatively stable hemp milk, high pressure homogenization (HPH) combined with pH shift treatment was investigated. For hemp milk (4% protein, 5% fat) without pH shift, increasing the homogenization pressure (up to 60 MPa) resulted in a more uniform distribution of emulsion droplets (2.2–2.7 μm). When pH shift was applied prior to HPH, large clusters and aggregates of oil droplets (3.5–8.2 μm) were formed. Interestingly, hemp milk with such interactive structures was remarkably stable, showing negligible phase separation within 3-day storage at 4 °C. Moreover, hemp milk made by combined pH shift and HPH exhibited delayed hydroperoxides (expressed as peroxide value, PV) and malondialdehyde (expressed as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, TBARS) production, suggesting the resistance of such emulsion cluster structures to radicals. On the other hand, a significant reduction of microbial population was observed in hemp milk prepared by pH shift combined with HPH. The results indicate that the pH shift + HPH combination treatment may potentially be employed for the production of non-thermally processed hemp milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) resistance significantly limits its use in clinical practice. It has been reported that 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) can enhance TRAIL's cytotoxicity. Our studies were designed to investigate the mechanisms of 2-DG reversing TRAIL resistance therapy in gastric cancer cells.Methods: Gastric cancer cells (MGC803, SGC7901) were treated with 2-DG and TRAIL. Cell viability was determined by CCK-8 assay and detection of apoptosis by flow cytometry. Autophagic and apoptosis protein expression and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation were determined by Western blotting. Autophagy response and JNK activities were inhibited by specific inhibitor, 3MA or SP600125, respectively. LDH release assay was used to detect cytotoxicity.Results: We confirmed that TRAIL triggered an autophagic response in TRAIL-resistant gastric cancer cells, MGC803 and SGC7901, and depended on JNK activation. Blocking autophagy or JNK activation with specific inhibitor, 3MA or SP600125, potentiated cell death and caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, we confirmed that 2-DG inhibited the viability of gastric cancer cells, phosphorylation of JNK induced by TRAIL and increased gastric cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.Conclusions: Taken together, we show that 2-DG can sensitize TRAIL-induced apoptosis, at least in part, through suppressing JNK-mediated cytoprotective autophagic signaling in MGC803 and SGC7901cells. These results may have significant implications for the development of new strategies to reverse TRAIL resistance in gastric tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of robust global consensus tracking of linear multiagent systems with input saturation and input-additive uncertainties is investigated in this paper. By using the parametric Lyapunov equation approach and an existing dynamic gain scheduling technique, a new distributed nonlinear-gain scheduling consensus-trackining algorithm is developed to solve this problem. Under the assumption that each agent is asymptotically null controllable with bounded control, it is shown that the robust global consensus tracking can be achieved under the undirected graph provided that its generated graph contains a directed spanning tree. Compared with the existing algebraic Riccati equation approach, which requires the online solution of a parameterized algebraic Riccati equation, all the parameters in the proposed nonlinear algorithm are offline determined a priori. Finally, numerical examples are provided to validate the theoretical results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytoremediation together with microorganisms may confer the advantages of both phytoremediation and microbial remediation of soils containing organic contaminants. In this system biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas sp. SB may effectively help to increase the bioavailability of organic pollutants and thereby enhance their microbial degradation in soil. Plants may enhance the rhizosphere environment for microorganisms and thus promote the bioremediation of contaminants. In the present pot experiment study, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) residues underwent an apparent decline after soil bioremediation compared with the original soil. The removal efficiency of fertilizer + tall fescue, fertilizer + tall fescue + Pseudomonas , fertilizer + perennial ryegrass, and fertilizer + perennial ryegrass + Pseudomonas treatments were 59.4, 65.6, 69.0, and 65.9%, respectively, and were generally higher than that in the fertilizer control (40.3%). Principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) verifies that plant species greatly affected the soil bacterial community irrespective of inoculation with Pseudomonas sp. SB. Furthermore, community composition analysis shows that Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria were the three dominant phyla in all groups. In particular, the relative abundance of Pseudomonas for fertilizer + tall fescue + Pseudomonas (0.25%) was significantly greater than fertilizer + tall fescue and this was related to the DDT removal efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty are widely performed worldwide. Patients undergoing total hip or knee arthroplasty are often discharged after a short hospital stay. Using information and communication technologies, such as mobile applications, to provide rehabilitation services remotely may be a strategy to support patients' postoperative recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a rehabilitation programme delivered via a mobile application among Chinese patients after total hip or knee arthroplasty. Randomised controlled trial. A teaching hospital in Shanghai, China. Eighty-six patients who received a unilateral primary total hip or knee arthroplasty. The participants were recruited in the hospital and randomised into either the experimental or control group. Once discharged from the hospital, the control group (n = 43) received usual care, and the experimental group (n = 43) received usual care plus a 6-week mobile rehabilitation programme. Outcomes were assessed three times: the day before hospital discharge and 6 and 10 weeks after discharge. Primary outcomes were the changes in scores of self-efficacy and patient-reported physical function from baseline to 6 weeks post-discharge. Secondary outcomes included changes in scores of pain, depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life. Data were analysed using generalised estimating equations. At 6 weeks after hospital discharge, the experimental group showed statistically significant improvements compared to the control in scores of self-efficacy (adjusted mean difference = 0.72, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.14, P <.001) and patient-reported physical function (adjusted mean difference = 4.57, 95% CI 1.24 to 7.90, P =.007). The between-group difference in self-efficacy probably reached clinical significance. At week-10 follow-up, the experimental group had statistically significant improvements in scores of self-efficacy (adjusted mean difference = 0.64, 95% CI 0.33 to 0.95, P <.001), health-related quality of life (adjusted mean difference = 0.06, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.10, P =.018), anxiety (adjusted mean difference = − 0.51, 95% CI − 0.91 to − 0.10, P =.015), and depression (adjusted mean difference = − 0.37, 95% CI − 0.66 to − 0.08, P =.012). The between-group difference in self-efficacy and health-related quality of life may be clinically significant. Mobile application-based rehabilitation demonstrated potentially positive effects on patients' self-efficacy, patient-reported physical function, health-related quality of life, and levels of anxiety and depression. Registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on 6 July 2021 (ACTRN12621000867897). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of octenylsuccinic anhydride (OSA) esterification on the morphology, crystalline structure, and emulsifying properties of three representative starches with different crystalline types, namely waxy corn starch (A-type), potato starch (B-type), and pea starch (C-type) were investigated. XRD patterns testified OSA substitution occurred principally in the amorphous region without affecting the crystalline patterns, whereas SEM verified esterification was mainly a surface phenomenon. However, OSA esterification caused a decrease in the peak intensity and area of small-angle X-ray scattering profiles, indicating the semi-crystalline lamellae ordering was impeded to a certain extent. Compared with A- and C-type starches, B-type starch had a stronger affinity for OSA, as manifested by its higher degree of substitution (DS), graver surface detriment, and depressed order of semi-crystalline lamellae. The emulsifying properties of all starches were pronouncedly improved by OSA modification, especially for A-type starch even with comparatively lower DS. Pickering emulsion stabilized by OSA-modified A-type starch (A-OSAS) with smaller droplet size and more uniform droplet size distribution exhibited more splendiferous stability relative to the other two modified starches. Moreover, rheological tests revealed A-OSAS possessed the highest apparent viscosity and storage modulus (G′), insinuating strong intermolecular interactions between starch granules at the interface and/or in the continuous phase. [Display omitted] • The ordering of semi-crystalline lamellae was decreased by OSA substitution. • B-type starch had a greater degree of substitution (DS) than A- and C-type starches. • A-type starch with a lower DS showed the best emulsifying properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ultrasound-assisted gelation markedly improved the strength and WHC of gels. • Ultrasound involvement prompted the unfolding of α-helix of proteins in gels. • Ultrasound contributed to the formation of more compact gel microstructure. • Hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bonds in gels were enhanced by ultrasound. Effects of the incorporation of ultrasound with varied intensities (0–800 W) into the thermal-induced gelation process on the gelling properties of myofibrillar protein (MP) were explored. In comparison with single heating, ultrasound-assisted heating (<600 W) led to significant increases in gel strength (up to 17.9%) and water holding capacity (up to 32.7%). Moreover, moderate ultrasound treatment was conducive to the fabrication of compact and homogenous gel networks with small pores, which could effectively impair the fluidity of water and allow redundant water to be entrapped within the gel network. Electrophoresis revealed that the incorporation of ultrasound into the gelation process facilitated more proteins to get involved in the development of gel network. With the intensified ultrasound power, α -helix in the gels lowered pronouncedly with a simultaneous increment of β -sheet, β -turn, and random coil. Furthermore, hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bonds were reinforced by the ultrasound treatment, which was in support of the construction of preeminent MP gels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper solves the robust output synchronization problem for a group of linear agents subject to constant disturbances on directed graphs. A new distributed control protocol with integral action is first proposed with the assumption that each agent has access to its own state. Then, an observer-based implementation of the control protocol is illustrated for the case that the agents do not have access to their states. Compared with existing methods, the new distributed protocol does not require exchanging of the controller states or output states among neighboring agents. Finally, simulation results of a group of low-speed experimental unmanned aerial vehicles show the effectiveness of the proposed methods. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • OSA-starch-stabilized emulsion acted as an active filler to enhance gelation of MP. • The filler with smaller and uniform size contributed to a more compact gel network. • The filler prompted the conformational change from α -helix to β -sheet in MP gel. • Hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction in MP gel was enhanced by filler addition. Starch-stabilized Pickering emulsions were employed as a novel particulate filler in myofibrillar protein (MP)-based gels for improving the gelling characteristics. The role of emulsions prepared by native starches (NS) with distinctive crystalline types (i.e., A-type waxy corn starch, B-type potato starch, and C-type pea starch) and their OSA-modified counterparts (A-OS, B-OS, C-OS) in the gelling performance was evaluated and compared with MP-stabilized-emulsion. Compared with MP-emulsion, starch-emulsion caused substantial increases in the gelling properties, notably for OSA-starch emulsions. Herein, A-OS exhibited up to 1.26-, 5.3-, and 2.9-fold increments in storage modulus, gel strength, and water holding capacity relative to pure MP gel, respectively, higher than B-OS and C-OS. Moreover, light microscopy evinced a more compact gel network filled with smaller and uniform oil droplets when A-OS emulsions were incorporated into the gels. The addition of OSA-starch emulsions, especially A-OS emulsion, facilitated the protein conformational conversion from α -helix to β -sheet and caused a marked reduction of free sulfhydryls in the gels; yet, the chemical forces that stabilized the gels altered, where remarkable reinforcements in hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interaction were detected, in support of the construction of splendid MP gels. Hence, OSA-starch emulsions show promise as functional components in meat products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the consensus problem for single‐integrator agents with heterogeneous output saturation. By investigating the unique achievable equilibrium and employing an integral Lyapunov function, some conditions of single‐integrator agents with heterogeneous and magnitude output saturation are presented. The main contribution of this work is that under the directed graph with strongly connected or a spanning tree, a necessary and sufficient condition for consensus with heterogeneous and magnitude output saturation is first obtained. In addition, some properties of the unachievable consensus are discussed. Finally, simulation examples are given to show the validity of the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulsed electric field (PEF), as a promising non-thermal technology, has demonstrated its potential in improving the quality characteristics of meat products. To give an in-depth insight, the effects of PEF with varied electric field intensity (0–7.5 kV/cm) and treatment time (0–90 s) (equivalent to 0.76 × 103–5.32 × 103 kJ/kg energy input) on the conformation and gelling properties of vital myofibrillar protein (MP) were evaluated. With the augmenting pulse intensity and time, α -helix of MP decremented with a coinstantaneous increase of β -sheet, β -turn, and random coil. Upon PEF treatment, the surface hydrophobicity increased extensively (up to 46%) whereas total sulfhydryls endured a massive loss, contributing to the enhancement of hydrophobic interactions and disulfide bonds. Consequently, more fine-stranded strong gels with transcendent elasticity and water holding capacity (WHC) were generated. However, when the output of PEF exceeded a pivotal level (intensity >7.5 kV/cm, time > 60 s), the α -helix content was increased, and the surface hydrophobicity decreased remarkably (P < 0.05), possibly due to protein aggregation. The undue PEF treatment resulted in the deterioration of MP gel strength and WHC. Additionally, PEF caused no visible changes in the SDS-PAGE pattern under the tested PEF levels. [Display omitted] • PEF allowed a controllable structural modification and aggregation of MP. • Moderate PEF markedly enhanced the gelling properties of MP. • PEF contributed to the formation of a uniform and compact gel structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses the exponential consensus problem of single-integrator agents with saturated protocols on directed graphs. By employing an integral Lyapunov function, the exponential consensus problem of single-integrator agents is solved under the directed graph with strongly connected or a spanning tree. The main contribution is that under the directed graph, some conditions for exponential consensus with saturated protocols are first obtained. Finally, two examples are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seafood is sometimes wasted due to the growth of psychrotolerant microbes which secrete proteases and break down proteins. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia FF11, isolated from frozen Antarctic krill, grows at a wide range of temperatures and secretes more proteases at low temperatures. According to zymogram analysis, two kinds of proteases were produced from this strain. A major protease was produced largely at 15 °C, but not at 37 °C. The temperature-dependent secreted protease was purified to homogeneity. Its molecular mass was determined at 37.4 kDa and its amino acid sequence was also obtained. This protease is a member of the subtilase group according to the NCBI blast analysis. The enzyme was highly stable at high salt concentration (4 M). Interestingly, its activity increased about 1.6-fold under high salt condition. The enzyme remains active and stable in different organic solvents (50 %, v/v) such as dimethylsulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, dioxane and acetone. These properties may provide potential applications in quality control for sea foods, in protein degradation at high salt concentration, in biocatalysis and biotransformation within non-aqueous media, such as detergent and transesterification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a new approach to enhance the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emission of the R u ( b p y ) 3 2 + -tripropyl amine (TPrA) system for ultrasensitive determination of ochratoxin A (OTA). R u ( b p y ) 3 2 + -doped silica nanoparticles (RuSi NPs) act as ECL materials, which are immobilized on the surface of electrode by chitosan to fabricate a solid-state ECL sensor. CdTe quantum dots (QDs) can enhance the ECL emission of the R u ( b p y ) 3 2 + -TPrA ECL system by energy transfer. This strategy can improve the sensitivity of the sensor. In this assay, we combine the ECL with molecular imprinting technique to improve the selectivity of this sensor. The template molecule could be eluted from the molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), and the formed cavities could then selectively recognize the target. The cavities could also work as the tunnel for the transfer of coreactant TPrA to produce responsive signal. With the increase of the concentration of OTA in samples, more cavities were filled because of the rebinding of OTA to the MIP surface, resulting in a gradual decrease in ECL intensity. The results showed that the ECL decrease value depended linearly on the logarithm of the OTA concentration in the range from 1.00×10 −5 to 11.13 ng mL −1 with lower detection limit of 3.0 fg mL −1 ( S / N =3). This ECL sensor has also been applied to detect OTA concentration in the real samples with satisfied results, and the recoveries range from 85.1% to 107.9%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor based on Ru(bpy) 3 2+ -doped silica nanoparticles (RuSi NPs) combined with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) has been developed for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA). The sensor was fabricated by remodification of RuSi NPs with a thin film of molecularly imprinted polymer, which provided the specific binding sites for OTA. The process of template elution and rebinding acted as a gate to control the flux of probes, which passed through the cavities and reacted with Ru(bpy) 3 2+ immobilized on the electrode surface to emit ECL signal. The ECL intensity decreased with the OTA molecules rebound in MIP. The as-prepared sensor exhibited a very high sensitivity and excellent selectivity to the target molecule. The Δ I ECL depended linearly on the logarithm of the OTA concentration in the range from 0.1 pg/mL to 14.76 ng/mL with lower detection limit of 0.027 pg/mL (S/N = 3). The MIP-ECL sensor enabled the successful application of this method to determine OTA in corn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Peanut yield and quality are seriously compromised by continuous monoculturing in the red soil region of southern China. Monoculturing can cause soil degradation and an increase in soil-borne diseases. This research aimed to investigate the influence of long-term peanut monocropping and different fertilization treatments on peanut growth, soil physical and chemical properties and soil microbial community. Methods: A long-term fertilization experiment established in 1996 was utilized to examine the effect of various fertilization treatments including chemical and organic fertilizers treatments. Deep 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing highlighted changes in the abundance and structure of bacterial communities, especially of the pathogenic and beneficial bacterial communities in long term chemical fertilizer treatment in comparison to the organic manure treatment. Results: Chemical fertilizer treatment causes a shift in bacterial community structure and decrease in diversity under the long-term monocropping in comparison to organic fertilizer. The abundance of the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, a causative agent of peanut wilt, was found to be associated with a loss of community diversity and loss of the peanut yield. Conclusions: The organic fertilizers more effectively increase microbial diversity in the soil and changed the community structure. Long-term use of the chemical fertilizer leads to a decrease in microbial diversity of the soil and an increase in R. solanacearum with associated increase of peanut wilt. The potential decrease in diversity and competition between the bacterial community and the pathogen may be a contributing factor to increased disease during long-term chemical fertilizer use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]