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The study was to qualitatively and quantitatively detect and analyze 20 pesticide residues in different batches of silage corn feed by QuEChERS pretreatment technology combined with GC-MS/MS. Using silage corn as the experimental material, acetonitrile solvent and sodium chloride were added to the feed sample for extraction. The upper centrifuged extract was treated with 50 mg PSA, 75 mg C18, 40 mg GCB and 200 mg anhydrous magnesium sulfate were used for purification, detected and analyzed under GC-MS/MS MRM, and the blank matrix extract was quantitatively analyzed by standard external standard method. The results showed that the linear relationship was good in mass concentration range of 0.05~1.00 mg/L, and R² ≥0.996 4. The detection limit of the method was 0.124~5.324 μg/kg, and the quantitative limit of the method was 0.413~14.11 μg/kg. The average recoveries of 20 pesticides at 20, 60, 100 μg/kg ranged from 76.35%~104.56%. The RSD of the recovery test results was 0.89%~11.45%, which could fully meet the daily work of trace analysis of pesticide residues. The study indicates that the method has the advantages of simple pretreatment operation, good repeatability, high sensitivity, which can effectively eliminate matrix interference, reduce the detection rate of false positives, improve the selectivity of analysis and reduce the cost of analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using a mixed-ligand approach, a new Co(II)-based coordination polymer (CP) with the chemical formula of {[Co2(BIP)2(L)]·2H2O}n (1) (H4L = 5,5′-(triazole-2,5-diyl)diisophthalic acid, BIP = 4,4′-bis(imidazol-1-yl)phenyl) has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopic, elemental and thermogravimetric analyses. To explore the activity of complex 1 on the treatment of acute glomerulonephritis (AGN), the mice model was constructed first. Then, the mice were given complex 1 for treatment and the level of 24-h urine protein contents was evaluated. Next, the RT-PCR was performed to detect the relative expression of important inflammatory factors for revealing the related mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computational thinking is widely recognized as an essential skill for adapting to the current era, with programming learning being the most effective means to develop it. It is recommended that computational thinking and learning programming be introduced as early as elementary school. However, elementary school students often possess limited prior knowledge of programming, posing challenges in their learning process. The graphic organizers (GOs) may serve as a bridge between students' existing knowledge and new learning, facilitating a deeper processing of the overall information and thereby enhancing the learning process. This can be particularly advantageous for early-stage learners when grappling with difficult subjects. Consequently, this study employed GOs to assist elementary school students in their computational thinking and programming learning, employing a quasi-experiment design to evaluate their effectiveness. The results showed that although all students demonstrated awareness of applying computational thinking to solve problems, those exposed to GO-based instruction exhibited higher levels of computational thinking, programming skills, and flow experiences. • Most elementary school students are aware that they can use CT to solve problems. • Graphic organizers can help elementary school students improve their CT and programming skill. • Students can reach a higher flow experience when learning with Graphic organizers. • Graphic organizers are worthwhile as a tool for teaching and learning programming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vacuolar H+-ATPase (V-ATPase) is a highly conserved protein complex which hydrolyzes ATP and pumps protons to acidify vacuolar vesicles. Beyond its role in pH maintenance, the involvement of V-ATPase in endocytosis is well documented in mammals and plants but is less clear in Trypanosoma brucei. Methods: In this study, the subcellular localization of V-ATPase subunit B (TbVAB) of T. brucei was assessed via in situ N-terminal YFP-tagging and immunofluorescence assays. Transgenic bloodstream forms (BSF) of T. brucei were generated which comprised either a V-ATPase subunit B (TbVAB) conditional knockout or a V-ATPase subunit A (TbVAA) knockdown. Acridine orange and BCECF-AM were employed to assess the roles of V-ATPase in the pH regulation of BSF T. brucei. The endocytic activities of three markers were also characterized by flow cytometry analyses. Furthermore, trypanosomes were counted from trypanolysis treatment groups (either containing 1% or 5% NHS) and endocytosed trypanosome lytic factor (TLF) was also analyzed by an immunoblotting assay. Results: TbVAB was found to localize to acidocalcisomes, lysosomes and probably also to endosomes of BSF of T. brucei and was demonstrated to be essential for cell growth. TbVAB depletion neutralized acidic organelles at 24 hours post-tetracycline depletion (hpd), meanwhile the steady state intracellular pH increased from 7.016 ± 0.013 to 7.422 ± 0.058. Trypanosomes with TbVAB depletion at 24 hpd were found to take up more transferrin (2.068 ± 0.277 fold) but less tomato lectin (49.31 ± 22.57%) by endocytosis, while no significant change was detected in dextran uptake. Similar endocytic dysregulated phenotypes were also observed in TbVAA knockdown cells. In addition, TbVAB depleted trypanosomes showed a low uptake of TLF and exhibited less sensitive to lysis in both 1% and 5% NHS treatments. Conclusions: TbVAB is a key component of V-ATPase and was found to play a key function in endocytosis as well as exhibiting different effects in a receptor/cargo dependent manner in BSF of T. brucei. Besides vacuolar alkalinization, the dysregulation of endocytosis in TbVAB depleted T. brucei is considered to contribute to the reduced sensitivity to lysis by normal human serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser marking Quick Response (QR) Code tests is conducted on aluminum ingots by impulse fiber laser. In order to obtain the optimal laser control parameters, the optimal process parameter decision method based on the immune clone operator is proposed with the minimum gray value as the optimization target and the production time as the constraint condition, which is based on the quick response code of aluminum ingot. Firstly, the QR code marking time model of laser is obtained by accurate analysis. Secondly, the mathematical model of the processing parameters and the gray value of the image is established on the basis of the single factor experiments, the orthogonal tests, the regression analysis and the variance analysis. With the two models, the optimal laser control parameters are solved based on the immune clone operator. Finally, the validation experiment proves the validity of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Trypanosoma brucei , the tetracycline-inducible system enables tightly-regulated, highly-efficient expression of recombinant proteins or double-stranded RNA in both procyclic and bloodstream form cells, providing useful molecular genetic tools to study gene functions. An alternative, vanillic acid-inducible system is recently described for procyclic T. brucei, providing ∼18-fold increase in GFP reporter expression upon induction (Sunter JD. Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 2016, 207:45–48). Here we describe a cumate-inducible system that allows efficient, tunable gene expression showing >300-fold increase in GFP expression upon induction. The cumate-inducible system can be used alone or together with the tetracycline-inducible system, in both procyclic and bloodstream form T. brucei. Efficient cumate-inducible expression is also achieved in T. brucei -infected mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combination therapy is usually considered as a promising strategy owing to its advantages such as reduced doses, minimized side effects and improved therapeutic efficiency in a variety of diseases including diabetes. Here we synthesized a new highly intracellular stimuli-sensitive chitosan- graft -metformin (CS-MET) prodrug by imine reaction between oxidative chitosan and metformin for type 2 diabetes (T2D) therapy. Hypothetically, CS-MET functions dually as an anti-diabetes prodrug as well as a gene delivery vector without superfluous materials. CS-MET formed nanocomplexes with therapeutic gene through electrostatic interactions and entered cells by Organic Cation Transporter (OCT)-independent endocytosis. The incorporation of metformin into chitosan has been found to increase endosomal escape via the proton sponge effect. When vector carrying a short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) silencing sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP), a major transcription factor involved in de novo lipogenisis, it reduced the SREBP mRNA and proteins efficiently. Furthermore, by intraperitoneal injection, CS-MET/shSREBP nanocomplexes effectively knocked down SREBP in livers of western-type diet (WD)-induced obese C57BL/6J mice, markedly reversed insulin resistance and alleviated the fatty liver phenotype without obvious toxic effects. Thus we were able to show that the intracellular stimuli-sensitive CS-MET prodrug renders a potential platform to increase the anti-diabetes activity with synergistic enhancement of gene therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermobifida fusca is a moderately thermophilic soil bacterium belonging to Actinobacteria. It has been known for its capability to degrade plant cell wall polymers except lignin and pectin. To know whether it can produce enzymes to facilitate lignin degradation, the extracellular proteins bound to sugarcane bagasse were harvested and identified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Among the identified proteins, a putative copper-containing polyphenol oxidase of 241 amino acids, encoded by the locus Tfu_1114, was thought to presumably play a role in lignin degradation. This protein (Tfu1114) was thus expressed in E. coli and characterized. Similarly to common laccases, Tfu1114 is able to catalyze the oxidation reaction of phenolic and nonphenolic lignin related compounds such as 2,6-dimethoxyphenol and veratryl alcohol. More interestingly, it can significantly enhance the enzymatic hydrolysis of bagasse by xylanase and cellulase. Tfu1114 is stable against heat, with a half-life of 4.7 h at 90 °C, and organic solvents. It is sensitive to ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and reducing agents but resistant to sodium azide, a potent inhibitor of laccases. Atomic absorption spectroscopy indicated that the ratio of copper to the protein monomer is 1, instead of 4, a feature of classical laccases. All these data suggest that Tfu1114 is a novel oxidase with laccase-like activity, potentially useful in biotechnology application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a newly developed steel-fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite bar (SFCB) and proposes the ideal configuration based on a large number of exploratory tests on handmade products. Based on factory production of SFCB, uniaxial tensile tests and cyclic tensile tests were conducted to determine the initial elastic modulus, postyield stiffness, yield strength, ultimate strength, unloading stiffness, and residual deformation. Test results showed that the stress-strain curve of the SFCB was bilinear before the fiber fractures. After the inner steel yielded, the SFCB showed a stable postyield stiffness, small residual deformation, and good reparability. Because the theoretical model for the stress-strain curve of SFCB under a uniaxial load based on the mixture rule had large error with data from cyclic tests, the corresponding restoring force model under cyclic tensile loading was constructed by statistical analysis of the stress-strain test curve under cyclic tension. The generated restoring force model accurately displayed the trend of unloading stiffness of SFCB degradation with cyclic loads. Furthermore, the predicted results were in good agreement with the experimental results, which proved that the mechanical properties of SFCB could be predicted and designed by the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The densities and viscosities for binary mixtures of vitamin K 3+ benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, and p-xylene, respectively, have been determined experimentally under normal atmospheric pressure over the entire molality range from (303.15 to 333.15) K. The apparent molar volumes of vitamin K 3were calculated from experimental measurements. Results were fit to obtain the appropriate parameters and standard deviations between the measured and fitted values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An airborne oceanographic lidar, with a frequency-tripled, Q-switched Nd: YAG laser, has been designed to measure the chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration in the upper sub-surface of the sea by the Ocean Remote Sensing Institute. The surface Chl-a concentrations were measured in the Korean Bay on the 10th of September 2005. The results measured of Chl-a by lidar are compared with those of the Chl-a concentration by a Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS).The MODIS has a resolution of 1 km. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfur-containing dynamic polymers had attracted significant attention due to their unique chemical structures with high reversibility. Utilizating sulfur, an inexpensive industrial waste product, to synthesize dynamic polysulfide polymers through reverse vulcanization has been a notable approach. However, this method required high temperatures and resulted in the release of unpleasant oders. In this study, we presented a robust method for the preparation of sulfur-rich polymers with dynamic polysulfide bonds from elemental sulfur and inexpensive epoxide monomers via a one-pot strategy at the mild room temperature. Different types of polysulfide molecules and polymers were synthesized by reacting various epoxide compounds with sulfur, along with the investigation of their structures and dynamic behaviors. It was noteworthy that the obatined polymers prepared from m-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-N,N-bis(2,3-epoxypropyl)aniline and elemental sulfur exhibit multiple dynamic behaviors, including polysulfide metathesis and polysulfide-thiol exchange, enabling their rapid stress relaxation, self-healing, reprocessing and degradable properties of the cross-linked polymer. More importantly, the hydroxyl groups at the side chains from epoxide ring opening exhibited potential transesterification. This work provided a facile strategy for designing dynamic sulfur-rich polymers via a mild synthesis route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether recombinant human insulin-like growth factor I (rhIGF-I) could attenuate or prevent diaphragm (DIA) fiber atrophy with corticosteroid (CS) administration to emphysematous (EMP) hamsters. DIA muscle IGF-I responses to CS administration with and without exogenous rhIGF-I administration were evaluated. Three groups were studied: 1) EMP; 2) EMP + triamcinolone (T; 0.4 mg · kg[sup -1] · day[sup -1] im); and 3) EMP + T + IGF-I (600 µg/day by constant infusion). After 4 wk, the DIA was analyzed histochemically and biochemically (IGF-I mRNA levels by RT-PCR and endogenous and exogenous IGF-I peptide levels immunochemically). Body weights of EMP-T progressively decreased, while those of EMP and EMP-T-IGF-I remained stable despite similarly reduced food intake in both T groups. DIA weight was reduced with T but preserved with rhIGF-I infusion. DIA fiber proportions were similar among the groups. The cross-sectional areas of types I, IIa, and IIx fibers were reduced (17 to 31%) with T administration but unchanged with rhIGF-I infusion. DIA IGF-I mRNA levels were similar across all groups. By contrast, the endogenous DIA IGF-I levels were reduced (41%) in the EMP-T-IGF-I animals. Total DIA IGF-I levels (endogenous + exogenous) were still significantly reduced. IGF-I immunoreactivity confirmed this reduction in all DIA fibers. We conclude that DIA fiber atrophy with T was completely prevented by exogenous rhIGF-I administration. This effect was likely mediated by the pharmacological influences of exogenously administered rhIGF-I. We speculate that this results from increased bioavailability of free IGF-I to react with muscle receptors. Reduced endogenous IGF-I levels in the DIA likely reflect a negative feedback influence. These results may have important clinical implications for treatment options to offset the adverse effects of CS on the respiratory muscles in patients with chronic lung disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of nylon 66 using differential scanning calorimetry. Stages of isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization of nylon 66; Discussion on isothermal crystallization process, mechanism of spherulitic nucleation and growth; Analysis on nonisothermal crystallization kinetics using Mo method.

Details the synthesis and crystallization behavior of poly(ether ether ketone ether ketone) (PEEKEK). Crystallization from the molten state, from quenched samples and crystallization induced by exposing glassy sample to methylene chloride; Differences in the crystallization of PEEKEK induced by the above methods seen in their degree of crystallinity.

One new bisesquiterpenoid, biepiasreorlid II (1), three new sesquiterpene lactones 8α-methoxy-epiasterolid (4), 3β-acetoxyl-8-epiasterolid (5), and 3β-acetoxyl-atractylenolide I (6), along with five known analogues (2 – 3 and 7 – 9), were obtained from rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. All structures were assigned on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses. The absolute configuration of 1 was established by the analysis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction with Ga Kα radiation, and 4 – 6 were elucidated by TDDFT-ECD calculations. The CREB agonistic activity was investigated in HEK293T cells using dual luciferase reporter assay. Compounds 1 , 2 , 5 , and 7 – 9 exhibited strong to agonistic activities on CREB. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cervical cancer (CC) is among the most prevalent cancers among female populations with high recurrence rates all over the world. Cisplatin (DDP) is the first-line treatment for multiple cancers, including CC. The main problem associated with its clinical application is drug resistance. This study is aimed at investigating the function and downstream regulation mechanism of forkhead-box A1 (FOXA1) in CC, which was verified as an oncogene in several cancers. Using GEO database and bioinformatics analysis, we identified FOXA1 as a possible oncogene in CC. Silencing of FOXA1 inhibited CC cell growth, invasion, and chemoresistance. Afterwards, the downstream gene of FOXA1 was predicted using a bioinformatics website and validated using ChIP and dual-luciferase assays. SIX4, a possible target of FOXA1, promoted CC cell malignant aggressiveness and chemoresistance. In addition, overexpression of SIX4 promoted phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT proteins and activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Further overexpression of SIX4 reversed the repressive effects of FOXA1 knockdown on CC cell growth, invasion, and chemoresistance in DDP-resistant cells. FOXA1-induced SIX4 facilitates CC progression and chemoresistance, highlighting a strong potential for FOXA1 to serve as a promising therapeutic target in CC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solubilities of menadione sodium bisulfite in water + (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1,2-propanediol, and glycerin, respectively) have been determined experimentally from (297.67 to 337.76) K by a dynamic method. The experimental data were correlated with the modified Apelblat equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solubilities of vitamin K 3in benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, and p-xylene have been measured using a static equilibrium method from (299.44 to 344.24) K. The experimental data were correlated against temperature with the absolute average deviations less than 1.0 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to learn more about the physical phenomena occurring in cloud cavitation, the nonlinear dynamics of a spherical cluster of cavitation bubbles and cavitation bubbles in cluster in an acoustic field excited by a square pressure wave are numerically investigated by considering viscosity, surface tension, and the weak compressibility of the liquid. The theoretical prediction of the yield of oxidants produced inside bubbles during the strong collapse stage of cavitation bubbles is also investigated. The effects of acoustic frequency, acoustic pressure amplitude, and the number of bubbles in cluster on bubble temperature and the quantity of oxidants produced inside bubbles are analyzed. The results show that the change of acoustic frequency, acoustic pressure amplitude, and the number of bubbles in cluster have an effect not only on temperature and the quantity of oxidants inside the bubble, but also on the degradation types of pollutants, which provides a guidance in improving the sonochemical degradation of organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C38H42MnN4O14, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 19.165(12) Å, b = 10.116(6) Å, c = 20.734(13) Å, β = 99.021(11)°, V = 3970(4) ų, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0486, wRref(F²) = 0.1442, T = 293(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centrioles and basal bodies (CBBs) are found in physically linked pairs, and in mammalian cells intercentriole connections (G1-G2 tether and S-M linker) regulate centriole duplication and function. In trypanosomes BBs are not associated with the spindle and function in flagellum/cilia nucleation with an additional role in mitochondrial genome (kinetoplast DNA [kDNA]) segregation. Here, we describe BBLP, a BB/pro-BB (pBB) linker protein in Trypanosoma brucei predicted to be a large coiled-coil protein conserved in the kinetoplastida. Colocalization with the centriole marker SAS6 showed that BBLP localizes between the BB/pBB pair, throughout the cell cycle, with a stronger signal in the old flagellum BB/pBB pair. Importantly, RNA interference (RNAi) depletion of BBLP leads to a conspicuous splitting of the BB/pBB pair associated only with the new flagellum. BBLP RNAi is lethal in the bloodstream form of the parasite and perturbs mitochondrial kDNA inheritance. Immunogold labeling confirmed that BBLP is localized to a cytoskeletal component of the BB/pBB linker, and tagged protein induction showed that BBLP is incorporated de novo in both new and old flagella BB pairs of dividing cells. We show that the two aspects of CBB disengagement--loss of orthogonal orientation and ability to separate and move apart--are consistent but separable events in evolutionarily diverse cells and we provide a unifying model explaining centriole/BB linkage differences between such cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lorentz force electrical impedance tomography (LFEIT) inherits the merit of high resolution by ultrasound stimulation and the merit of high contrast through electromagnetic field detection. To reduce the instantaneous peak power of the stimulating signal to the transducer, the sinusoidal pulse and step-frequency technique is investigated in LFEIT. The theory of application of step-frequency technique in LFEIT is formulated with the direct demodulation method and the in-phase quadrature demodulation method. Compared with the in-phase quadrature demodulation method, the direct demodulation method has simple experimental setup but could only detect half of the range. Experiments carried out with copper foils confirmed that LFEIT using the step-frequency technique could detect the electrical conductivity variations precisely, which suggests an alternative method of realization of LFEIT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lorentz force electrical impedance tomography (LFEIT) combines ultrasound stimulation and electromagnetic field detection with the goal of creating a high contrast and high resolution hybrid imaging modality. In this study, pulse compression working together with a linearly frequency modulated ultrasound pulse was investigated in LFEIT. Experiments were done on agar phantoms having the same level of electrical conductivity as soft biological tissues. The results showed that: (i) LFEIT using pulse compression could detect the location of the electrical conductivity variations precisely; (ii) LFEIT using pulse compression could get the same performance of detecting electrical conductivity variations as the traditional LFEIT using high voltage narrow pulse but reduce the peak stimulating power to the transducer by 25.5 dB; (iii) axial resolution of 1 mm could be obtained using modulation frequency bandwidth 2 MHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solubilities of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone in water (methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1,2-propanediol, and glycerin, respectively) have been determined experimentally from (293.15 to 337.92) K by balanced method. The experimental data were correlated with the modified Apelblat equation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) plays an important role in anti-anxiety by inhibiting neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS) of mammals, which is generated in the germinating seeds. The key enzymes activity of GABA metabolism pathway and nutrients content in hemp seeds during germination were studied after treated with ultrasound and CaCl 2. The mechanism of exogenous stress on key enzymes in GABA metabolism pathway was investigated by molecular dynamics simulation. The results showed that ultrasonic combined with 1.5 mmol· L − 1 CaCl 2 significantly increased the activities of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and GABA transaminase (GABA-T) in seeds, and promoted the conversion of glutamate to GABA, resulting in the decrease of glutamate content and the accumulation of GABA. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed that Ca 2 + environment enhanced the activity of GAD and GABA-T enzymes by altering their secondary structure, exposing their hydrophobic residues. Ultrasound, germination and CaCl 2 stress improved the nutritional value of hemp seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camel milk might be adulterated with cheaper cow's milk because of its high price. The establishment of a rapid and reliable method for detecting cow milk in camel milk is a matter of great concern. In the study, the chromatogram of camel milk with different adulteration ratios was analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The peak area of liquid chromatography was analyzed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA). β-Lactoglobulin (β-Lg) was screened as a characteristic protein. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was established selected β-Lg as the antigenic indicator. This study was aimed at developing an ELISA method that enabled rapid and highly sensitive detection of the proportion of adulterated milk in camel milk. The minimum detection limit was 1% of cow milk in camel milk, and the results were highly reproducible with no significant difference between true and measured values (P > 0.05). • A rapid way to identify adulterants of cow milk in camel milk was established. • A characteristic protein was screened by PCA analysis. • The checkerboard method was used to optimize ELISA. • ELISA realized detection of low-level camel milk adulteration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple one-pot hydrothermal synthesis route has been employed to fabricate the bismuth-doped (Bi-doped) anatase TiO2 hollow thin sheets with {001} facets exposed. Controlling BiVO4 precursor concentration plays a key role in tuning the morphology and the Bi doping concentration of TiO2 hollow thin sheet catalysts. The photocatalytic activity of as-prepared catalysts was evaluated through the photodegradation of different organic dyes under visible light irradiation (>400 nm), including methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), rhodamine-B (RhB), and p-nitroaniline (PNA). Results showed that the optimal dopant of 0.8 atom % Bi in TiO2 achieved the best photocatalytic activity, especially for possessing a much higher photodegradation of PNA, which could be ascribed to the results of photoinduced charge separation and transfer combined with low bulk recombination of charge carriers. This discussion demonstrates that the design of new TiO2 nanostructures for application in solar energy conversion could be easily achieved by coupling Bi cation-doping and active facets with hollow thin sheet morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to inductive impedance caused by steel meshes in traditional reinforced ballastless track slabs, the electric properties, primarily rail resistance and inductance, of the track circuit are affected by electromagnetic induction between the slabs and the electric current in the rail. This problem results in poor transmission performance through the track circuit. Insulating heat-shrinkable sleeves between the steel meshes have been used to improve the insulation capability of steel meshes in slabs; however, they reduce the bonding performance between the steel bars and concrete. Because of the highly insulating properties of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) and steel-fiber reinforced polymer composite bar (SFCB), these composite materials have shown promise to overcome the insulation problem. In the study reported in this paper, single and double layer meshes and ballastless track slabs were manufactured and tested for the first time. In the research reported herein, basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) and SFCB were used in meshes and slabs, respectively. The electric properties of the rail affected by these meshes and slabs were investigated and compared with steel meshes and ordinary reinforced ballastless track slabs (RC). As the test results demonstrated, the signal frequency and distance between the slabs or meshes and the rail had a significant impact on the electric properties of the rail. Furthermore, the variation in rail resistance induced by the slabs or meshes increased drastically, while the change in rail inductance increment varied slowly. BFRP and SFCB used as transverse reinforcement of slabs or meshes reduced the variation in the electric properties of the rail. BFRP reinforced ballastless track slabs had the highest insulating performance, while those with SFCB demonstrated the second highest performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer, and to determine the factors affecting prognosis. Material and methods: Clinical data of 211 patients with cervical cancer, treated at our institution between June 2014 and February 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. All patients were treated with definitive radiotherapy and received external irradiation of 45-50.4 Gy. High-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) of 24-36 Gy was prescribed to a high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV) as a local boost. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS version 19.0 using Kaplan-Meier survival test and Cox regression analysis. Additionally, dose parameters of patients with IIIB stage treated with combined intracavitary/interstitial (IC/IS) implants were compared with IC only. Results: With a median follow-up time of 69 months, local control (LC), overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and nodal control (NC) at 5 years were 89%, 78%, 67%, and 88%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the major determinant of LC was the level of pre-treatment squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag). The predictors of shorter OS were adenocarcinoma, pre-treatment SCC-Ag, and FIGO stage. Worse DFS was associated with adenocarcinoma, pre-treatment SCC-Ag, and involved lymph nodes. The predictors for nodal failure were positive pelvic lymph nodes. Patients with IIIB treated with IC/IS brachytherapy tended to improve DFS compared with IC alone, and obtained similar HR-CTV D90 EQD2 (n = 10) and biological effective dose (BED), 91 ±6 Gy vs. 89 ±3 Gy, and 107 ±4.5 Gy vs. 107 ±5.6 Gy, whereas decreased organs at risk (OARs) doses, including rectum and bladder D2cm3 were 7.5 Gy and 7.2 Gy lower, respectively. Late grade 3-4 bladder and bowel toxicities were observed in 1.9% of patients. Conclusions: Radiation therapy carried out in our institution results in good survival, with acceptable toxicity in locally advanced cervical cancer. Different individualized therapeutic strategies should be considered for patients with high-risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the combinatorial components responsible for the antihyperlipidemic activity of Citrus reticulata 'Chachi' (CRC) peels remains unclear, we herein developed a bioactive equivalence oriented feedback screening method to discover the bioactive equivalent combinatorial components (BECCs) from CRC peels. Using palmitic acid (PA)-stimulated hepatocyte model, a combination of 5 polymethoxyflavones (PMFs) including tangeretin, sinensetin, nobiletin, 5,7,8,4'-tetramethoxyflavone and 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone was identified to be responsible for the anti-hyperlipidemic effect of CRC peels. Via evaluation of combination effect by combination index (CI), these 5 PMFs were found to take effect via a synergistic mode. Our data indicated that the antihyperlipidemic mechanism of PMF combination was associated with the inhibition of fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis, and inflammation. Also, the PMF combination exhibited robust antihyperlipidemic effects in HFD-fed rats in vivo. Our study offers evidence-based data to uncover the pharmacological effect of CRC peels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gabor wavelets (GWs) have been commonly used for extracting local features for various applications, such as recognition, tracking, and edge detection. However, extracting the Gabor features is computationally intensive, so the features may be impractical for real-time applications. In this paper, we propose a set of simplified version of GWs (SGWs) and an efficient algorithm for extracting the features for edge detection. Experimental results show that our SGW-based edge-detection algorithm can achieve a similar performance level to that using GWs, while the runtime required for feature extraction using SGWs is faster than that with GWs with the use of the fast Fourier transform. When compared to the Canny and other conventional edge-detection methods, our proposed method can achieve a better performance in the terms of detection accuracy and computational complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of adhesive properties on the bond behaviour of externally bonded fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP)-to-concrete joints is the focus of this paper. First, FRP-to-concrete double-lap shear specimens were tested with different types of bonding adhesives. The test results indicate that when softer adhesives are adopted, the peak load, interfacial fracture energy and FRP effective bond length increase while the peak shear stress decreases. Then, a finite element (FE) model including the adhesive layer was proposed to further investigate the influence mechanism of the adhesive properties. A numerical parametric study indicates that the adhesive tensile strength, ultimate strain, elastic modulus and thickness all have varying degrees of impact on the bond behaviour of FRP-to-concrete joints. Finally, a bond-slip model that considers the adhesive elastic modulus is proposed based on experimental and numerical results. To validate this model, a comprehensive test database that includes 128 FRP-to-concrete joints with different adhesives was collected. The proposed model has been shown to have a higher accuracy and lower dispersion than the existing models for the prediction of the peak loads of FRP-to-concrete joints with different adhesives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In a strong polar environment of ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-ethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BEIM]BF4, PbO nanocrystals with PbS-type crystal structure were successfully synthesized by the thermal decomposition of Pb(OH)2 at 180 °C for 3 h under ambient pressure. The product was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electric diffraction (ED), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) and elemental analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Helical coil electromagnetic launchers (HEMLs) using motion-induced commutation strategy solve the problem of synchronization control perfectly. HEMLs have the advantages of symmetric structure, high load impedance, and high energy conversion efficiency. If the structural and launch parameters can be designed reasonably and multiobjective optimization of the velocity, efficiency, and power can be achieved, HEMLs can meet the requirements of multimission applications such as the highvelocity coilgun, electromagnetic mortar, and electromagnetic catapult. In this paper, an improved adaptive genetic algorithm (AGA) based on the solution-reservation strategy to solve the multiobjective optimization problem for HEMLs is presented. The circuit model of the HEML is established and the governing equations are derived. The circuit parameters such as projectile mass, resistance, inductance, and inductance gradient are calculated according to the structural parameters of coils. The classical Runge--Kutta method and the trapezoidal quadrature formula are used to solve the governing equations, besides deriving the velocity, efficiency, and power of the launcher. The AGA is developed in MATLAB. The range of the launch voltage U is 500-5000 V and the number of turns N in coils is 1-500. After the evolution of 14 generations, five noninferior solutions subject to the constraints of temperature rise, launch time, and length are obtained. These different HEML structures can satisfy many different launch applications [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SREBPs play important roles in the regulation of lipid metabolism, and are closely related to the occurrence and development of many metabolic diseases. Small molecular inhibitors of SERBPs are important tools in developing efficient treatment of metabolic diseases. However, there are no listing drug targeting SREBPs. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop highly specific small molecules that inhibit SREBPs. In this study, using a hepatocyte-based high-throughput screening, we identified anhydroicaritin (AHI) as a novel inhibitor of SREBPs. HepG2, HL-7702, and human primary hepatocytes were used to verify the effects of AHI. We explored the mechanism by which AHI blocks the binding of SCAP/SREBPs complex with Sec23α/24D via regulating LKB1/AMPK/mTOR pathway. AHI reduced liver cell lipid level by preventing de novo lipogenesis. In diet induced obese mice, AHI ameliorated obesity, insulin resistance, fatty accumulation in liver and hyperlipemia. In conclusion, AHI improves diet-induced obesity and alleviates insulin resistance by suppressing SREBPs maturation which is dependent on LKB1/AMPK/mTOR pathway. Thus, AHI can serve as a leading compound for pharmacological control of metabolic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method was proposed for the moving load identification of bridges based on the influence line theory and distributed optical fiber sensing technique. The method of load and vehicle speed identification was firstly theoretically studied, and then numerical simulation was also performed to study its accuracy and robustness. The numerical results showed that this method was characterized by high accuracy and excellent resistance to noise. Finally, the load identification of an actual continuous pre-stressed concrete beam bridge was carried out with the proposed method. The bridge consists of four pre-stressed box beams. At the same time, a weigh-in-motion system was also installed about 200 m in front of the bridge to measure the speed and moving loads with a purpose of comparing the load identification of the proposed method. Long gauge fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors with a gauge length of 1.0 m were adhered to the bottom of the beams. The individual loaded vehicles and the corresponding structure response were mainly monitored as standard samples, and the speed and weight of the sample vehicles were monitored and identified with the proposed method. The results revealed that the distributed long gauge FBG sensors were capable of sensing the structure response precisely and identifying the traffic load. On the basis of the design information and ambient vibration testing results, a refined model was established and the response under unit moving load was acquired for load identification. It was also shown that the sensors in different positions can achieve accurate vehicle speed and weight, the relative error of which are within 10% and 15%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the tensile behavior of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in a concrete-based alkaline environment. Because basalt/glass FRP (BFRP/GFRP) composites exhibit relatively poor alkaline resistance compared with carbon FRP (CFRP) composites, a rubber toughening modification method has been proposed to mitigate microcracking and decrease the diffusion of the alkaline solution in the resin matrix. Different proportions of liquid rubber toughening agents were added into the epoxy resin, on the basis of which different FRP composites were made and then subjected to tensile tests after alkaline exposure. Test results indicated that the rubber toughening modification approach can significantly reduce the tensile strength degradation of the BFRP and GFRP composites in the alkaline solution. Moreover, no degradation of the elastic modulus for the FRP composites was observed. The weight gain and microstructure of the FRP composites were also investigated before and after the alkaline exposure to determine the corrosion mechanisms of the FRP composites in the alkaline environment and interpret the mechanical test results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mild and efficient cascade synthesis of 1,5-diketones from readily available N, N-dicyclohexylmethylamine, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds, and trifluoromethyl β-diketones has been developed. This cascade reaction occurs via an oxidation/Mannich reaction/Cope elimination/Michael addition/retro-Claisen reaction sequence, and provides multiple CC bond formations in one pot. In addition, exquisite chemoselectivity is achieved in the reaction between 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and trifluoromethyl β-diketones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study presents the results of an experimental investigation of the freeze–thaw (FT) resistance, including the hybridization of fibers, of carbon, basalt and glass fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP, BFRP and GFRP) sheets commonly used in civil engineering practice. Coupon tests were conducted to investigate the tensile properties of FRP sheets and their corresponding epoxy resins and dry fiber sheets after up to 300 FT cycles. Sustained loading was included in the testing to reflect the behavior of FRP sheets in real structures. The test results indicate that (1) BFRP and hybrid FRP sheets have better FT resistance than CFRP and GFRP sheets, and the hybridization of fibers can contribute to the stability of the tensile properties of these materials after FT exposure; (2) the tensile properties of the resin matrix deteriorate significantly with increasing FT cycles; (3) further degradation of the tensile properties of FRP sheets is caused by sustained loading during FT cycling; and (4) the tensile behavior of dry glass fiber sheets is more sensitive to FT cycling than dry carbon and basalt fiber sheets. Lastly, the degradation mechanism of FRP sheets in FT environments is discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Helical coil electromagnetic launchers (HEMLs) using rail-fed strategy, local excitation and single-turn commutation, solve the problem of synchronization control perfectly. Through the simulation, a novel helical coil launcher is designed using the basic HEML's structure. A D-shaped cross section armature is proposed to achieve the maximum projectile velocity. The energizing length of the driving coil, as well as, the armature position of the maximum force is determined. The maximum driving force on the armature increases with the increasing coil axial length and the armature acceleration reaches its maximum value when the ratio of axial to radial length of the coil is 1:2. The force distribution of the armature and driving coils is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We experimentally demonstrated an alternative approach of invisibility cloaking that can combine technical advantages of all current major cloaking strategies in a unified manner and thus can solve bottlenecks of individual strategies. A broadband cylindrical invisibility cloak in free space is designed based on scattering cancellation (the approach of previous plasmonic cloaking), and implemented with anisotropic metamaterials (a fundamental property of singular-transformation cloaks). Particularly, nonsuperluminal propagation of electromagnetic waves, a superior advantage of non-Euclidian-transformation cloaks constructed with complex branch cuts, is inherited in this design, and thus is the reason of its relatively broad bandwidth. This demonstration provides the possibility for future practical implementation of cloaking devices at large scales in free space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Experimental tests have identified that FRP confinement affects the plastic hinge length of reinforced concrete columns. Some tests found that the confinement increased the plastic hinge length; whereas others showed otherwise. The plastic hinge length as well as the drift capacity of FRP confined circular concrete columns are studied in this work through a combination of numerical simulation, experimental study, and mechanism analysis. Data regressions are employed to formulate the plastic hinge length, which is found to be closely related to the confinement ratio of FRP. The obtained plastic hinge model shows that FRP confinement increases the plastic hinge length at low confinement ratio; however, it has an opposite effect when the confinement ratio is high. The accuracy of the proposed model is verified by test results from 29 large-scale FRP-confined circular concrete columns. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In order not only to manufacture a tough porous material from sepiolite but also to sustain the inherent properties of the sepiolite, a hydrothermal experiment was carried out under saturated steam pressure at 473 K for up to 24 h by mixing slaked lime. The experimental results show that the addition of slaked lime exerts a positive effect on the strength development, and the strength enhancement is found to be due to tobermorite and calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) gel formation. Curing time seems to condition the strength development. A fine particle size of sepiolite improves its activity during the hydrothermal process, thus offering a higher strength and quicker hardening rate of the synthesized specimen. The acid activation also has a beneficial effect on the strength development. The hardening mechanism of the synthesized specimen is different between the specimens synthesized with or without acid activation. The strength enhancement for sepiolite with acid activating is due mainly to CSH gel formation, instead of tobermorite formation without acid activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the genetic mechanism underlying rice leaf-shape development is crucial for optimizing rice configuration and achieving high yields; however, little is known about leaf abaxial curling. We isolated a rice transferred DNA (T-DNA) insertion mutant, BY240, which exhibited an abaxial leaf curling phenotype that co-segregated with the inserted T-DNA. The T-DNA was inserted in the promoter of a novel gene, ACL1 (Abaxially Curled Leaf 1), and led to overexpression of this gene in BY240. Overexpression of ACL1 in wild-type rice also resulted in abaxial leaf curling. ACL1 encodes a protein of 116 amino acids with no known conserved functional domains. Overexpression of ACL2, the only homolog of ACL1 in rice, also induced abaxial leaf curling. RT–PCR analysis revealed high expressions of ACLs in leaf sheaths and leaf blades, suggesting a role for these genes in leaf development. In situ hybridization revealed non-tissue-specific expression of the ACLs in the shoot apical meristem, leaf primordium, and young leaf. Histological analysis showed increased number and exaggeration of bulliform cells and expansion of epidermal cells in the leaves of BY240, which caused developmental discoordination of the abaxial and adaxial sides, resulting in abaxially curled leaves. These results revealed an important mechanism in rice leaf development and provided the genetic basis for agricultural improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]