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We present an atomistic simulation of thermoelectric properties in cove-edged graphene nanoribbons (CGNRs) via the nonequilibrium Green's function. Different from gapless zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs), CGNRs exhibit a noticeable bandgap. Such a bandgap can be modulated by varying three structural parameters (namely, the width N, the distance between adjacent coves m, as well as the shortest offset n) of CGNRs, which can give rise to the transition from semiconducting to semi-metallic. Due to the less dispersive phonon bands and the decrease in the number of phonon channels of CGNRs, they are found to have the lower phonon thermal conductance than ZGNRs. Modulation of CGNRs can produce over tenfold improvement of the maximum of ZT compared to ZGNRs. This improvement is due to the promotion of the Seebeck coefficient together with the degradation of the phonon thermal conductance of CGNRs compared to ZGNRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are one of the most studied groups of arthropods worldwide due to their high transmission capacity for pathogens, including viruses and parasites. During June to October 2022, the prevalence of mosquito species in 12 intensive pig farms from 12 representative administrative regions in Hunan province of China was investigated using traps with ultraviolet light. All collected mosquitoes were counted and identified to species according to morphological and molecular methods. A total of 4,443 mosquito specimens were collected in the pig farms, and they represented one family, four genera and nine species. Culex pipiens pipiens (24%) was the most common mosquito species, followed by Armigeres subalbatus (23.4%) and Culex tritaeniorhynchus (20.6%). Phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial cox1 sequences revealed all mosquito species from present study grouping into distinct monophyletic groups corresponding to nine known mosquito species with strongly supported. The results of the present investigation have implications for the ongoing control of mosquito infestation in pig farms in Hunan province, China. This is the first report of mosquito populations in intensive pig farms in Hunan province, China.Highlights: •This is the first report of mosquito populations in intensive pig farms in Hunan province, China. •A total of 4,443 mosquito specimens were collected and they represented one family, four genera and nine species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Boron (B) is crucial for plant growth and development. B deficiency can impair numerous physiological and metabolic processes, particularly in root development and pollen germination, seriously impeding crop growth and yield. However, the molecular mechanism underlying boron signal perception and signal transduction is rather limited.In this study, we discovered that CPK10, a calcium‐dependent protein kinase in the CPK family, has the strongest interaction with the boron transporter BOR1. Mutations in CPK10 led to growth and root development defects under B‐deficiency conditions, while constitutively active CPK10 enhanced plant tolerance to B deficiency.Furthermore, we found that CPK10 interacted with and phosphorylated BOR1 at the Ser689 residue. Through various biochemical analyses and complementation of B transport in yeast and plants, we revealed that Ser689 of BOR1 is important for its transport activity.In summary, these findings highlight the significance of the CPK10‐BOR1 signaling pathway in maintaining B homeostasis in plants and provide targets for the genetic improvement of crop tolerance to B‐deficiency stress. See also the Commentary on this article by Huang, 243: 1633–1635. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors (EGFRIs) is a common cancer therapy, but they occasionally cause severe side effects such as xerosis. Tiansha mixture (TM), a traditional Chinese medicines formulation, is develpoed to treat xerosis. This study aims to understand mechanisms of TM on xerosis. Bio-active compounds were selected from databases (TCMSP, TCM-ID, HERB, ETCM) and removed for poor oral bioavailability and low drug likeness. Then a network-based approach filtered out potential active compounds against xerosis. KEGG enrichment analysis identified PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK pathways, which were further verified by molecular docking. Afterwards, the effect of TM on activation of PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK pathways was validated in gefitinib-induced xerosis rats, where AKT-activator SC79 and MAPK-activator CrPic were also applied. Skin damage was assessed by dorsal score and HE and Tunel stainings. the levels of inflammation factors IL-6 and TNF-α in serum and skin tissue were measured by ELISA. Western blot was used to detect protein levels in the pathways. Network pharmacology identified 111 bio-active compounds from TM and 14 potential targets. Docking simulation showed apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin bio-active compounds in TM bound to IKBKG, INSR, and RAF-1 proteins. In xerosis model rats, TM mitigated xerosis damage, decreased inflammation factors, and phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK proteins. SC79 or CrPic or their combination reversed TM’s effect. The current study identified potential targets and PI3K/AKT and ERK/MAPK pathways involved in the effect of TM on xerosis, thus providing a foundation for TM clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crocetin as one of the main components of saffron possesses a lot of pharmacological effects, especially the beneficial effects in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. However, the pharmacokinetics of crocetin in the pathological state of hyperlipidemia has not been reported. In present study, the pharmacokinetics of crocetin in hyperlipidemia rats after oral administration of crocetin was investigated and the possible mechanisms for the pharmacokinetics were explored. High-fat diet was used to induce hyperlipidemia in rats. The pharmacokinetics of crocetin was investigated in hyperlipidemia and normal rats after oral and intravenous administration of crocetin, and the possible mechanisms of the pharmacokinetic changes were investigated in terms of metabolism and absorption using in vitro incubation with liver microsomes and the everted gut sac method, respectively. Results indicated that the AUCs of crocetin in hyperlipidemia rats after oral administration of crocetin were remarkably decreased when compared with those in normal rats. Moreover, crocetin was also metabolized more rapidly in the liver microsomes of hyperlipidemia rats and intestinal absorption of crocetin was significantly reduced in hyperlipidemia rats. It suggested that the remarkably decreased AUCs of crocetin in hyperlipidemia rats might partly result from the result of faster metabolic elimination and reduced absorption of crocetin in the hyperlipidemia pathological state. And the present investigations conducted on rats demonstrate that further investigations into the kinetics of crocetin in humans with hyperlipidemia are necessary in order to ensure an adequate dosage in this indication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persistent mechanoluminescence (PML) is highly desirable for its ability to overcome transient‐emitting behavior, but its applications are hindered by the limited emission wavelengths. Herein, a universal chemical interlinkage‐assisted efficient energy transfer (ET) strategy is introduced to achieve color conversion from green to red in traditional PML materials. A straightforward chemical route to create the RhB@SiO2/SAOED system is established via covalent chemical interlinkage by depositing mesoporous silica‐encapsulated Rhodamine B (RhB) nanoparticles (RhB@SiO2) onto SrAl2O4:Eu, Dy (SAOED) particles. The resulting system exhibits a high ET efficiency of 53.5%. The multicolor PML of the RhB@SiO2/SAOED system remains visible to the naked eye for exceeding 28 s after mechanical stimulation. With this unique PML behavior, the RhB@SiO2/SAOED system demonstrates the potential applications ranging from visualized reading activities to multi‐mode anticounterfeiting. This universal PML color‐conversion strategy provides a new approach to high‐performance mechanical light energy‐conversion systems and may further inspire more diverse functional applications of classical PML materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Easy non-radiative decay property of long-lived triplet excitons in aqueous solution obstructs their applications in aquatic surroundings. Recently reported phosphorescence phenomena in aqueous solution have excited researchers enormously but achieving full-color water-soluble phosphorescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) is still a challenging issue. Herein, full-color phosphorescence of water-soluble CNDs has been demonstrated by triggering their triplet excitons through nanospace domain confinement, and Förster energy resonance transfer is used for further tuning phosphorescence range. The phosphorescence spans across most of the visible spectrum, ranging from 400 to 700 nm. In an aqueous solution, the CNDs exhibits blue, green, and red phosphorescence, lasting for approximately 6, 10, and 7 s, respectively. Correspondingly, the phosphorescence quantum yields are 11.85%, 8.6% and 3.56%, making them readily discernible to the naked eyes and laying a solid foundation for practical application. Furthermore, phosphorescence flexible optical display and bioimaging have been demonstrated by using the multicolor CNDs-based nanomaterials, showing distinct superiority for accuracy and complete display and imaging in complex emission background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoelectrics is the simplest technology applicable for direct energy conversion between heat and electricity. After over 60 years of fruitful research efforts, recent boom in flexible electronics has promoted the rapid development of flexible thermoelectrics with rising performances, discovery of new materials and concepts, unconventional device configuration, and emerging applications not possible for traditional thermoelectric (TE) semiconductors. In this Perspective, we first overview representative flexible TE materials, then discuss recent breakthroughs for flexible TE devices assembled from various types of TE materials employing different technical routes. They exhibit promising power generation and sensing performances, and aim for applications in wearable electronics, such as the power supply harvesting heat from body for low-power electronics, temperature sensors for tactile e-skin, and newly emerged application as a thermo-haptic device in an extended reality system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is dedicated to developing a cost-effective ground-moving object detection method in aerial videos. Without limitations on types, quantity, and distribution of moving objects, which were required by the previous methods, the proposed approach can detect various ground-moving objects in aerial videos captured through diverse flying states in various ground appearances. The proposed method is mainly composed of generation of the appropriate feature points, detection of moving objects, and target tracking. In the originality of our work, a novel detection strategy designed for ground-moving objects is based on change detection of Delaunay triangulation (CDDT) and a three-step motion vector search-based tracking algorithm is further exploited for enhancing the detection rate. Experimental results show that our method can achieve the detection rate of at least 95% (roughly similar to the famous existing state-of-the-art methods) and 0.03 second/frame (far less than the famous existing methods) using test videos (containing only several moving objects distributed in a sparse space) in the previous methods compared. Besides, the average detection rate of 86.81%, average false detection rate of 9.44%, and a frame rate of about 33 fps can be obtained using our test videos captured in the complicated ground appearances. This result makes the proposed method more attractive for detecting various ground-moving objects in aerial videos, when compared to other approaches, and can also achieve cost-effective performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single‐atom alloys (SAAs) have gained increasing prominence in the field of selective hydrogenation reactions due to their uniform distribution of active sites and the unique host‐guest metal interactions. Herein, 15 SAAs are constructed to comprehensively elucidate the relationship between host‐guest metal interaction and catalytic performance in the selective hydrogenation of 4‐nitrostyrene (4‐NS) by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results demonstrate that the SAAs with strong host‐guest metal interactions exhibit a preference for N─O bond cleavage, and the reaction energy barrier of the hydrogenation process is primarily influenced by the host metal. Among them, Ir1Ni SAA stands out as the prime catalyst candidate, showcasing exceptional activity and selectivity. Furthermore, the Ir1Ni SAA is subsequently prepared through precise synthesis techniques and evaluated in the selective hydrogenation of 4‐NS to 4‐aminostyrene (4‐AS). As anticipated, the Ir1Ni SAA demonstrates extraordinary catalytic performance (yield > 96%). In situ FT‐IR experiments and DFT calculations further confirmed that the unique host‐guest metal interaction at the Ir‐Ni interface site of Ir1Ni SAA endows it with excellent 4‐NS selective hydrogenation ability. This work provides valuable insights into enhancing the performance of SAAs catalysts in selective hydrogenation reactions by modulating the host‐guest metal interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow transit constipation (STC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in children and adults worldwide. Paeoniflorin (PF), a monoterpene glycoside compound extracted from the dried root of Paeonia lactiflora, has been found to alleviate STC, but the mechanisms of its effect remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of PF on intestinal fluid metabolism and visceral sensitization in rats with compound diphenoxylate‐induced STC. Based on the evaluation of the laxative effect, the abdominal withdrawal reflex test, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the visceral sensitivity, fluid metabolism‐related proteins, and acid‐sensitive ion channel 3/extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ASIC3/ERK) pathway‐related molecules. PF treatment not only attenuated compound diphenoxylate‐induced constipation symptoms and colonic pathological damage in rats but also ameliorated colonic fluid metabolic disorders and visceral sensitization abnormalities, as manifested by increased colonic goblet cell counts and mucin2 protein expression, decreased aquaporin3 protein expression, improved abdominal withdrawal reflex scores, reduced visceral pain threshold, upregulated serum 5‐hydroxytryptamine, and downregulated vasoactive intestinal peptide levels. Furthermore, PF activated the colonic ASIC3/ERK pathway in STC rats, and ASIC3 inhibition partially counteracted PF's modulatory effects on intestinal fluid and visceral sensation. In conclusion, PF alleviated impaired intestinal fluid metabolism and abnormal visceral sensitization in STC rats and thus relieved their symptoms through activation of the ASIC3/ERK pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the chemiluminescence (CL) induced by carbon nanodots (CDs) has intrigued researchers' extensive interests in various applications due to its special light emission principle. However, the difficulty of synthesizing chemiluminescent CDs with full-spectrum emission severely hinders the further regulation of the CL emission mechanism. Herein, the multi-color-emissive chemiluminescent CDs are rational designed and further synthesized by regulating the sp2-hybrid core and sp3-hybrid surface from the citrate-ammonia molecular in a single solvothermal reaction. More experimental characterizations and density functional theory calculations reveal that the higher temperature can promote the crosslinking polymerization/carbonization of carbon core and the higher protonation of solvent can determine the core size of final CDs, resulting in the variant CL emission from molecular-, crosslinking- and core-states. Thus, the CL emission of the CDs can be further synthesized by tuning the luminescence chromophores in the formation process via regulating the temperature and solvent, enabling the applications of the CL CDs in illumination and information encryption. This study paves a new technology to understand the luminescence of CDs and affords an industry translational potential over traditional chemiluminescent molecular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for optically transparent temperature sensors in intelligent devices is increasing. However, the performance of these sensors, particularly in terms of their sensitivity and resolution, must be further enhanced. This study introduces a novel transparent and highly sensitive temperature sensor characterized by its ultrathin, freestanding design based on a Mn-Co-Ni-O nanofilm. The Mn-Co-Ni-O-based sensor exhibits remarkable sensitivity, with a temperature coefficient of resistance of −4% °C−1, and can detect minuscule temperature fluctuations as small as 0.03 °C. Additionally, the freestanding sensor can be transferred onto any substrate for versatile application while maintaining robust structural stability and excellent resistance to interference, indicating its suitability for operation in challenging environments. Its practical utility in monitoring the surface temperature of optical devices is demonstrated through vertical integration of the sensor and a micro light-emitting diode on a polyimide substrate. Moreover, an experiment in which the sensor is implanted in rats confirms its favorable biocompatibility, highlighting the promising applications of the sensor in the biomedical domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite tremendous efforts in the past decades, relationships among main avian lineages remain heavily debated without a clear resolution. Discrepancies have been attributed to diversity of species sampled, phylogenetic method and the choice of genomic regions1–3. Here we address these issues by analysing the genomes of 363 bird species4 (218 taxonomic families, 92% of total). Using intergenic regions and coalescent methods, we present a well-supported tree but also a marked degree of discordance. The tree confirms that Neoaves experienced rapid radiation at or near the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary. Sufficient loci rather than extensive taxon sampling were more effective in resolving difficult nodes. Remaining recalcitrant nodes involve species that are a challenge to model due to either extreme DNA composition, variable substitution rates, incomplete lineage sorting or complex evolutionary events such as ancient hybridization. Assessment of the effects of different genomic partitions showed high heterogeneity across the genome. We discovered sharp increases in effective population size, substitution rates and relative brain size following the Cretaceous–Palaeogene extinction event, supporting the hypothesis that emerging ecological opportunities catalysed the diversification of modern birds. The resulting phylogenetic estimate offers fresh insights into the rapid radiation of modern birds and provides a taxon-rich backbone tree for future comparative studies.Using intergenic regions and coalescent methods to analyse the genomes of 363 bird species, the authors present a well-supported tree confirming that Neoaves experienced rapid radiation at or near the Cretaceous–Palaeogene boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferroelectric materials have important applications in transduction, data storage, and nonlinear optics. Inorganic ferroelectrics such as lead zirconate titanate possess large polarization, though they are rigid and brittle. Ferroelectric polymers are light weight and flexible, yet their polarization is low, bottlenecked at 10 μC cm−2. Here we show poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposite with only 0.94% of self-nucleated CH3NH3PbBr3 nanocrystals exhibits anomalously large polarization (~19.6 μC cm−2) while retaining superior stretchability and photoluminance, resulting in unprecedented electromechanical figures of merit among ferroelectrics. Comprehensive analysis suggests the enhancement is accomplished via delicate defect engineering, with field-induced Frenkel pairs in halide perovskite stabilized by the poled ferroelectric polymer through interfacial coupling. The strategy is general, working in poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) as well, and the nanocomposite is stable. The study thus presents a solution for overcoming the electromechanical dilemma of ferroelectrics while enabling additional optic-activity, ideal for multifunctional flexible electronics applications. Wang et al. report large nonvolatile polarization in stretchable polymer ferroelectrics incorporating perovskite nanocrystals. The built-in electric field from poled ferroelectrics stabilises Frenkel defects via interfacial coupling, which can also enhance the polarization of nonferroelectrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among cardiovascular diseases, hypertension is the most important risk factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its pathogenesis is complex, involving genetic, dietary and environmental factors. The characteristics of the gut microbiota can vary in response to increased blood pressure (BP) and influence the development and progression of hypertension. This paper describes five aspects of the relationship between hypertension and the gut microbiota, namely, the different types of gut microbiota, metabolites of the gut microbiota, sympathetic activation, gut–brain interactions, the effects of exercise and dietary patterns and the treatment of the gut microbiota through probiotics, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and herbal remedies, providing new clues for the future prevention of hypertension. Diet, exercise and traditional Chinese medicine may contribute to long-term improvements in hypertension, although the effects of probiotics and FMT still need to be validated in large populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piezoelectric sensors whose sensing performances can be flexibly regulated hold significant promise for efficient signal-acquisition applications in the healthcare field. The existing methods for regulating the properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films mainly include material modification and structural design. Compared to material modification, which has a long test period and an unstable preparation process, structural design is a more efficient method. The irigami structure combined with compressive buckling can endow the flexible film with rich macrostructural features. Here, a method is fabricated to modulate the sensing performance by employing distinct 3D structures and encapsulation materials with varying Young's moduli. The relationship among the aspect ratio (α), pattern factor (η), elastic modulus of encapsulation materials, and equivalent stiffness is obtained by finite element simulation, which provides theoretical guidance for the design of the 2D precursor and the selection of encapsulation materials. In the demonstration applications, the sensor accurately captures pulse waveforms in multiple parts of the human body and is employed for the pressure monitoring of different parts of the sole under various posture states. This method of structure design is efficient, and the preparation process is convenient, providing a strategy for the performance control of piezoelectric pressure sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soft robots with good deformability and adaptability have important prospects in the bionics and intelligence field. However, current research into soft robots is primarily limited to the study of actuators and ignores the integrated use of functional devices and actuators. To enrich the functions of soft robots and expand their application fields, it is necessary to integrate various functional electronic devices into soft robots to perform diverse functions during dynamic deformation. Therefore, this paper discusses methods and strategies to manufacture optical stimuli-responsive soft actuators and integrate them into functional devices for soft robots. Specifically, laser cutting allows us to fabricate an optically responsive actuator structure, e.g., the curling direction can be controlled by adjusting the direction of the cutting line. Actuators with different bending curvatures, including nonbending, can be obtained by adjusting the cutting depth, cutting width, and the spacing of the cutting line, which makes it easy to obtain a folded structure. Thus, various actuators with complex shape patterns can be obtained. In addition, we demonstrate a fabrication scheme for a worm-like soft robot integrated with functional devices (LEDs are used in this paper). The local nonbending design provides an asymmetric structure that provides driving power and avoids damage to the functional circuit caused by the large deformation during movement. The integration of drive and function provides a new path for the application of soft robots in the intelligence and bionics field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer-based capacitors are very promising for high-power systems due to their high power density and ultrafast charge–discharge speed, yet reaching high dielectric constant and high breakdown strength simultaneously in dielectric polymers required by high-performance capacitors still remains a huge challenge. Herein, poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) and poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) were coaxial electrospun in core–shell structured fibers to create locally inhomogeneous microstructures deliberately. Through adjusting the functional group HFP/TrFE monomer ratio, P(VDF-HFP)/P(VDF-TrFE) hybrid polymer films with topological composition distribution have been elaborately designed, enabling gradient polarization distribution from core to shell. Compared with homogeneous hybrid films of the same composition, the core–shell structure significantly boosts breakdown strength, thus resulting in a significantly improved energy storage capacity. At an HFP/TrFE monomer ratio of 10:1, an optimal comprehensive energy storage performance has been achieved with Ue ∼ 20.7 J/cm3 and efficiency 67.8%; moreover, the film could maintain its energy storage performance after 106 charge/discharge cycles without reduction. Molecular dynamic simulation and finite element analysis have been employed in combination to reveal the dipole moments distribution at the molecular level and polarization distribution at the microscale, which further demonstrates that elaborate polarization distribution adjustment is an effective strategy toward high-performance electrostatic energy storage capacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It remains a challenge to obtain biocompatible afterglow materials with long emission wavelengths, durable lifetimes, and good water solubility. Herein we develop a photooxidation strategy to construct near-infrared afterglow carbon nanodots with an extra-long lifetime of up to 5.9 h, comparable to that of the well-known rare-earth or organic long-persistent luminescent materials. Intriguingly, size-dependent afterglow lifetime evolution from 3.4 to 5.9 h has been observed from the carbon nanodots systems in aqueous solution. With structural/ultrafast dynamics analysis and density functional theory simulations, we reveal that the persistent luminescence in carbon nanodots is activated by a photooxidation-induced dioxetane intermediate, which can slowly release and convert energy into luminous emission via the steric hindrance effect of nanoparticles. With the persistent near-infrared luminescence, tissue penetration depth of 20 mm can be achieved. Thanks to the high signal-to-background ratio, biological safety and cancer-specific targeting ability of carbon nanodots, ultralong-afterglow guided surgery has been successfully performed on mice model to remove tumor tissues accurately, demonstrating potential clinical applications. These results may facilitate the development of long-lasting luminescent materials for precision tumor resection.Biocompatible afterglow materials have potential in imaging applications, but are challenging to prepare. Here the authors report the development of carbon nanodots with near-infrared afterglow, and demonstrate their use in imaging for tumour resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precisely introducing topological defects is an important strategy in nanographene crystal engineering because defects can tune π‐electronic structures and control molecular assemblies. The synergistic control of the synthesis and assembly of nanographenes by embedding the topological defects to afford two‐dimensional (2D) crystals on surfaces is still a great challenge. By in‐situ embedding ladder bipyrazinylene (LBPy) into acene, the narrowest nanographene with zigzag edges, we have achieved the precise preparation of 2D nonbenzenoid heteroacene crystals on Au(111). Through intramolecular electrocyclization of o‐diisocyanides and Au adatom‐directed [2+2] cycloaddition, the nonbenzenoid heteroacene products are produced with high chemoselectivity, and lead to the molecular 2D assembly via LBPy‐derived interlocking hydrogen bonds. Using bond‐resolved scanning tunneling microscopy, we determined the atomic structures of the nonbenzenoid heteroacene product and diverse organometallic intermediates. The tunneling spectroscopy measurements revealed the electronic structure of the nonbenzenoid heteroacene, which is supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The observed distinct organometallic intermediates during progression annealing combined with DFT calculations demonstrated that LBPy formation proceeds via electrocyclization of o‐diisocyanides, trapping of heteroarynes by Au adatoms, and stepwise elimination of Au adatoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precisely introducing topological defects is an important strategy in nanographene crystal engineering because defects can tune π‐electronic structures and control molecular assemblies. The synergistic control of the synthesis and assembly of nanographenes by embedding the topological defects to afford two‐dimensional (2D) crystals on surfaces is still a great challenge. By in‐situ embedding ladder bipyrazinylene (LBPy) into acene, the narrowest nanographene with zigzag edges, we have achieved the precise preparation of 2D nonbenzenoid heteroacene crystals on Au(111). Through intramolecular electrocyclization of o‐diisocyanides and Au adatom‐directed [2+2] cycloaddition, the nonbenzenoid heteroacene products are produced with high chemoselectivity, and lead to the molecular 2D assembly via LBPy‐derived interlocking hydrogen bonds. Using bond‐resolved scanning tunneling microscopy, we determined the atomic structures of the nonbenzenoid heteroacene product and diverse organometallic intermediates. The tunneling spectroscopy measurements revealed the electronic structure of the nonbenzenoid heteroacene, which is supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The observed distinct organometallic intermediates during progression annealing combined with DFT calculations demonstrated that LBPy formation proceeds via electrocyclization of o‐diisocyanides, trapping of heteroarynes by Au adatoms, and stepwise elimination of Au adatoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cattle ticks (Rhipicephalus microplus) are important economic ectoparasites causing direct and indirect damage to cattle and leading to severe economic losses in cattle husbandry. It is common knowledge that R. microplus is a species complex including five clades; however, the relationships within the R. microplus complex remain unresolved. In the present study, we assembled the complete mitochondrial genome of clade C by next-generation sequencing and proved its correctness based on long PCR amplification. It was 15,004 bp in length and consisted of 13 protein genes, 22 transfer genes, and two ribosomal genes located in the two strains. There were two copies of the repeat region (pseudo-nad1 and tRNA-Glu). Data revealed that cox1, cox2, and cox3 genes were conserved within R. microplus with small genetic differences. Ka/Ks ratios suggested that 12 protein genes (excluding nad6) may be neutral selection. The genetic and phylogenetic analyses indicated that clade C was greatly close to clade B. Findings in the current study provided more data for the identification and differentiation of the R. microplus complex and made up for the lack of information about R. microplus clade C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The color of purple carrot taproots mainly depends on the anthocyanins sequestered in the vacuoles. Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) are key enzymes involved in anthocyanin transport. However, the precise mechanism of anthocyanin transport from the cytosolic surface of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the vacuoles in carrots remains unclear. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the carrot genome, leading to the identification of a total of 41 DcGST genes. Among these, DcGST1 emerged as a prominent candidate, displaying a strong positive correlation with anthocyanin pigmentation in carrot taproots. It was highly expressed in the purple taproot tissues of purple carrot cultivars, while it was virtually inactive in the non‐purple taproot tissues of purple and non‐purple carrot cultivars. DcGST1, a homolog of Arabidopsis thaliana TRANSPARENT TESTA 19 (TT19), belongs to the GSTF clade and plays a crucial role in anthocyanin transport. Using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, we successfully knocked out DcGST1 in the solid purple carrot cultivar 'Deep Purple' ('DPP'), resulting in carrots with orange taproots. Additionally, DcMYB7, an anthocyanin activator, binds to the DcGST1 promoter, activating its expression. Compared with the expression DcMYB7 alone, co‐expression of DcGST1 and DcMYB7 significantly increased anthocyanin accumulation in carrot calli. However, overexpression of DcGST1 in the two purple carrot cultivars did not change the anthocyanin accumulation pattern or significantly increase the anthocyanin content. These findings improve our understanding of anthocyanin transport mechanisms in plants, providing a molecular foundation for improving and enhancing carrot germplasm. Significance Statement: These findings improve our understanding of anthocyanin transport mechanisms in plants, providing a molecular foundation for improving and enhancing carrot germplasm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the potential disasters caused by tunnels crossing water-abundant fault areas, this study takes the Jinyunshan Tunnel as an example, and studies the groundwater flow law between different rock layers, the interaction between surrounding rock hydrostatic pressure and soil pressure, and the mechanical features and safety of the lining during construction by combining field tests and finite element simulation analysis. The results show that the displacement change rate of the tunnel vault reaches 2.8 mm/d, and the maximum earth pressure and hydrostatic pressure are 2.3 MPa and 1.15 MPa, respectively, both at the bottom of the tunnel in section II. When the tunnel enters the fault fracture zone from the V surrounding rock, the bending moment of the lining increases by 222.78% at the left haunch and 60.87% at the bottom of the right wall. The axial force of the right spandrel increases by 2579.2%, and the left spandrel increases by 221.18%. The safety factor of the two sections is greater than 2.4, indicating that the overall structure is in a safe state, but the safety factor of the second right shoulder is 2.54, which is close to the safety threshold of 2.4. The research results provide a basis for the safety design and construction safety of tunnels through water-rich sections in similar fault fracture zones, and provide a reference for reducing groundwater loss and protecting ecological vegetation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth (Bi) is a potential cathode material to drive the development of Gd extraction by molten salt electrolysis. However, study on the electrolytic reduction of Gd by Bi electrode in melts has not receive sufficient attention and understanding. Therefore, in this work, the electrochemical reactions, kinetic processes and thermodynamic properties in the electrolytic extraction of Gd were investigated by various electrochemical methods. The electrochemical results showed that only two Gd–Bi alloys were formed in the electrode reaction. Moreover, the exchange current density and activity coefficient during electrolysis were determined by galvanostatic pulse (GP) and Coulomb titration, respectively. The temperature dependence of both exchange current density and activity coefficient was further revealed. Finally, Gd was successfully extracted in the form of alloys through potentiostatic electrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main subject of this study is the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts (GAFA), the most representative design school in Southern China. The study has three main objectives: (1) Explore the Symbolic Value of GAFA for Design Education Reform. (2) Investigate the Distinctive Features of Design Education at GAFA. (3) Analyze the Outcomes of GAFA's Design Education. The research methodology employs a mixed-method approach combining qualitative and quantitative research. It involves collecting literature and conducting interviews with key figures involved in GAFA's design education reform for document analysis, thereby identifying key terms. Additionally, through a questionnaire survey, it gathers data on the perception of GAFA among faculty members from design institutions in South China influenced by GAFA's design education reform. This process aims to analyze the symbolic significance of GAFA as a symbol. Clarify the impact of GAFA's design education on Chinese design education; Present the symbolic significance of GAFA's design education and its achievements. Situated in Southern China, GAFA is deeply influenced by Lingnan culture. Its design education vividly demonstrates the impact of regional culture. Therefore, GAFA's design education represents a valuable case study within China, offering significant research value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Golden apple snail, Pomacea canaliculata, is one of the world's 100 worst invasive alien species that is best known for its damage to wetland agriculture. It also acts as an intermediate host of some zoonotic parasites such as Angiostrongylus cantonensis, posing threats to human public health and safety. Despite is being an important agricultural pest, the genetic information and population expansion history of this snail remains poorly understood in China. In this study, we analyzed the genetic variation and population genetics of P. canaliculata populations in seven regions of China based on molecular markers of three mitochondrial (mt) genes. A total of 15 haplotypes were recognized based on single mt cox1, nad1, and nad4, and eight haplotypes were identified using the concatenated genes. High haplotype diversity, moderate nucleotide diversity, low gene flow, and high rates of gene differentiation among the seven P. canaliculata populations were detected. Shanghai and Yunnan populations showed higher genetic flow and very low genetic differentiation. The results of Tajima's D, Fu's Fs, and mismatch distribution showed that P. canaliculata did not experience population expansion in China. Genetic distance based on haplotypes suggested that nad1 gene was more conserved than cox1 gene within P. canaliculata. The phylogenetic analyses showed there may be two geographical lineages in the Chinese mainland. The present study may provide a new genetic marker to analyze P. canaliculata, and results support more evidence for studying the genetic distribution of P. canaliculata in China and contribute to a deeper understanding of its population genetics and evolutionary biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highbush blueberries (HB) and rabbiteye blueberries (RB) were separated into peels, flesh, and seeds to assess the compositions of nutriment, anthocyanins, soluble sugars and fatty acids, and the in vitro digesting abilities. Total phenolics contents (TPC) of 51–56 mg GAE/g DW were found in blueberry peels. Compared with HB peels, RB peels showed much higher TPC, but only contained 35 phenolics and lacked peonidin-3-O-rutinoside. Glucose, fructose, and sucrose were all present in HB and RB, but RB flesh had a higher acid-sugar ratio. Unsaturated fatty acid concentrations in HB and RB seeds were comparable (26.65 and 26.43 mg/g, respectively). However, HB seeds have 35 fatty acids, but RB seeds lacked cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid and cis-10-pentadecenoic acid. The in vitro digestion test showed that the whole fruit/peels/flesh of RB had a higher recovery and bioavailability index of phenolics and anthocyanins. Therefore, the reuse of blueberry pomace needs to be emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zidovudine/lamivudine tablets are nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors that are used to treat human immunodeficiency virus. The objective of this study was to investigate the bioequivalence and pharmacokinetics (PKs) of test and reference preparations of zidovudine/lamivudine tablets in healthy Chinese subjects. We designed a randomized, open, single‐center, single‐dose, 2‐crossover experiment with a 7‐day washout period involving 20 healthy subjects. The subjects were given a single dose of the test or reference preparation after fasting overnight for 10 hours. Blood samples were subsequently collected at scheduled time points from 0 hour (preadministration) up to 24 hours postadministration. The plasma concentrations of zidovudine and lamivudine were determined by a validated ultra‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare differences in the mean values of key PK parameters between the 2 preparations. Bioequivalence was evaluated by 2 one‐sided t‐tests and 90% confidence intervals (CIs) of the geometric mean ratio (GMR). In total, 19 of the 20 subjects completed the trial. Based on the analysis of PK parameters, the relative bioavailability of zidovudine and lamivudine was 101.1% ± 2.0% and 100.3% ± 1.5%, respectively. ANOVA found no significant difference in primary PK parameters when compared between the 2 formulations, and the 90% CIs of the GMR of the 2 formulations were within the bioequivalence margins of 80%–125%. No serious adverse events occurred. Thus, we confirmed that the 2 preparations were bioequivalent in healthy Chinese volunteers. Our analysis demonstrated that both products showed good tolerance in all subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal post-remission treatment for individual favorable and intermediate risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients has not yet been established. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched stem cell microtransplantation (MST), may improve outcomes and avoid graft-versus-host disease in patients with first complete remission of AML. We retrospectively analyzed the efficacy, safety, and survival of 63 patients with favorable- or intermediate-risk AML who received MST, autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), or cytarabine single agent (CSA) as post-remission treatment from January 2014 to August 2021. The neutrophil recovery time was shorter in the MST group than in the CSA group. The 2-year cumulative incidences of relapse in the MST, ASCT, and CSA groups were 27.27%, 29.41%, and 41.67%, respectively. During follow-up, 21 patients (33.30%) died of relapse, including six (9.52%), five (7.94%), and 10 (15.84%) in the MST, ASCT, and CSA groups, respectively. The estimated 2-year overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were 62.20% vs. 50.00% (P = 0.101) and 57.10% vs. 50.00% (P = 0.136), in the >60 years MST and CSA groups (P = 0.101). The estimated 2-year OS was 100%, 66.20%, and 69.10% in the MST, ASCT, and CSA groups (MST vs CSA, P = 0.044), meanwhile, the estimated 2-year RFS was 100%, 65.40%, and 59.80% in patients ≤60 years. MST, ASCT, and CSA are acceptable post-remission treatments for patients with favorable- and intermediate-risk AML and may not only improve the prognosis of the elderly but also prolong the OS and RFS of favorable- or intermediate-risk patients ≤60 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Influenced by the anisotropy and water-softening characteristics of gently inclined layered shale, many tunnels have encountered bottom deformation issues during construction and operation, which severely impact the safety of tunnel structures. The energy evolution law during rock deformation and damage can provide support for the assessment and prediction of structure deformation. However, most studies have been conducted on enstatite, granite, and sandstone with limited research on shale. In this study, both conventional and single-cyclic loading-and-unloading uniaxial compression tests were conducted on shale specimens with varying dip angles of the structural plane (Dφ) and water content (Wc) in addressing the most typical layered shale in the Chaoyang Tunnel. The energy evolution features of rock samples at each stage of the tests were analyzed to determine the discriminating indicator (SC) for tunnel bottom deformation tendency. The indicator was based on the elastic strain energy (Uei) and the post-peak dissipation energy (Udi). The results demonstrated that the Dφ and Wc directly affected the energy storage and dissipation process of rock specimens, which in turn enabled them to exhibit different damage evolution features. The Uei and the total input energy (Uli) satisfied a linear relationship, which was determined by the Dφ and Wc of rock specimens. The energy evolution-based indicator SC can accurately characterize the bottom deformation of the tunnel constructed in a gently inclined layered shale stratum. The findings can offer a scientific foundation for rational evaluation of the structure deformation of tunnels under construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halide perovskites have established their intriguing performances in optoelectronics and been expanded to energy harvesting application when incorporated into polymers due to their polarization related properties. Yet, fundamental understanding of the electrical conduction behavior of such composites has seldomly been addressed. Herein, composite films employing CH3NH3PbBr3 (MAPB) nanoparticles and ferroelectric polymer poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF-TrFE)] have been investigated upon their conduction behaviors. Both electric field and temperature-dependent currents have been thoroughly analyzed based on hopping and space charge-limited current mechanisms in combination with trap energy and trap density calculation from thermal stimulated depolarization currents. The conduction mechanism of MAPB/P(VDF-TrFE) composite has been established within the frame of band diagram. Our studies, thus, are essential for developing high-performance optoelectronics and energy harvesters based on halide perovskites/polymer composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to develop a preoperative nomogram based on clinical and pathological characteristics to provide a more individualized and accurate estimation of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. Methods: A total of 7,349 early-stage cervical cancer patients with pathologically confirmed between 1988 and 2015 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. All the patients were divided into training (n = 5,500) and validation (n = 1,849) cohorts randomly. A cohort of 455 patients from multicenter was used for the external validation. We established a multivariate logistic regression model based on preoperative clinicopathological data, from which a nomogram was developed and validated. A predicted probability of LNM < 5% was defined as low risk. Results: From multivariate logistic regression analysis, age at diagnosis, histologic subtype, tumor grade, tumor size and FIGO stage were identified as preoperative independent risk factors of LNM. The nomogram incorporating these factors demonstrated good discrimination and calibration (concordance index = 0.723; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.707–0.738). In the validation cohort, the discrimination accuracy was 0.745 (95% CI, 0.720–0.770) and 0.747 (95% CI, 0.690–0.804), respectively. The nomogram was well calibrated with a high concordance probability. We also established an R-enabled Internet browser for LNM risk assessment, which tool may be convenient for physicians. Conclusions: We developed an effective preoperative nomogram based on clinical and pathological characteristics to predict LNM for early-stage cervical cancer. This model could improve clinical trial design and help physicians to decide whether to perform lymphadenectomy or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The domestic pig louse Haematopinus suis (Linnaeus, 1758) (Phthiraptera: Anoplura) is a common ectoparasite of domestic pigs, which can act as a vector of various infectious disease agents. Despite its significance, the molecular genetics, biology and systematics of H. suis from China have not been studied in detail. In the present study, the entire mitochondrial (mt) genome of H. suis isolate from China was sequenced and compared with that of H. suis isolate from Australia. We identified 37 mt genes located on nine circular mt minichromosomes, 2.9 kb-4.2 kb in size, each containing 2-8 genes and one large non-coding region (NCR) (1,957 bp-2,226 bp). The number of minichromosomes, gene content, and gene order in H. suis isolates from China and Australia are identical. Total sequence identity across coding regions was 96.3% between H. suis isolates from China and Australia. For the 13 protein-coding genes, sequence differences ranged from 2.8%-6.5% consistent nucleotides with amino acids. Our result is H. suis isolates from China and Australia being the same H. suis species. The present study determined the entire mt genome of H. suis from China, providing additional genetic markers for studying the molecular genetics, biology and systematics of domestic pig louse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are attractive for the easy operation and high compatibility with building integrated photovoltaics due to their low cost, large-scale and applicability. However, underutilized sunlight in visible wavelengths often impedes the advance of LSCs. Here, we demonstrate an orange-emitting carbon nanodots-based LSC (O-CDs) with excitation concentrated in the visible wavelengths. The orange-emitting carbon nanodots (O-CDs) with highly localized excitonic emission are prepared via atomic condensation of doped pyrrolic nitrogen, delivering a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 80 % and a suitable Stokes shift with absorption spectrum situated in the visible region. The O-CDs are embedded in polyvinylpyrrolidone to obtain a highly transparent, stable and environmentally friendly O-CDs-based LSC. Thanks to efficient utilization of solar radiation in visible areas and well match between the emission of O-CDs and the response bands of photovoltaic cells, the O-CDs-based LSC reveals an optical conversion efficiency of 5.17 %, superior to that of most carbon nanodots-based LSCs. These results provide an effective strategy to develop carbon-based luminescent concentrated materials for architectural integrated photovoltaic technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyimide (PI), an important engineering polymer with a rigid chemical structure, readily has excellent chemical stability, heat resistance, and electrical insulation but lacks broadband photothermal properties. Herein, we design and synthesize PI copolymers that embrace intrinsic photothermal properties by using two diamine monomers of (Z)‐2,3‐bis(4‐aminophenyl) acrylonitrile (CNDA) and 4,4‐diphenyldiamine (NDA) with strong ultraviolet (UV), and near‐infrared (NIR) absorption capabilities, respectively. Tuning the molar ratio of the two diamines can modulate UV and NIR light absorption and regulate the intrinsic photothermal properties of PIs. After condensation with pyromellitic dianhydride, the resulting PI‐0.5 with a unit molar ratio of CNDA:NDA = 1 shows the best photothermal efficiency. PI‐0.5 is used to construct 3D steam generators with vertically dried channels by a freeze‐drying method. The 3D steam generators show a good water evaporation rate and continuously operate with excellent stability under varying salinity and pH conditions. The synthetic design herein suggests that PI can be molecularly engineered to be intrinsic photothermal materials, expanding the properties and applications of existing PIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible thermoelectric devices can generate electricity based on temperature differences and have great potential as an energy source for wearable devices and the Internet of Things. In this paper, an efficient topology optimization method is proposed for the design of deformable flexible thermoelectric devices, which facilitates an increase in the output voltage and a corresponding improvement in the power generation efficiency. The designed structures can produce out-of-plane displacement for an external load, which increases the temperature difference between the hot and cold ends, thus enhancing the power generation capacity. Using combined multi-field coupling analysis and experiments, the efficacy of the proposed method was evaluated for several scenarios based on different load cases and design domains. After optimization, the temperature difference of thermoelectric devices can be increased by more than 10 °C, and the output voltage can exhibit a three-fold increase compared to that of the in-plane configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a crucial indicator in food and water safety testing, the detection of Escherichia coli plays a significant role in maintaining environmental sanitation and promoting public health. Herein, based on the electrochemical activity characteristics of E. coli, we established an enhanced electrochemiluminescence aptasensor for E. coli analysis. This study presents a new method for accurate identification by utilizing a double aptamer recognition system. Specifically, a nano-cadmium sulfide (CdS) modified aptamer was used for primary labeling, while a second aptamer was immobilized on a graphene/chitosan composite electrode for re-capture. The use of two aptamers improves the accuracy of the identification process. Furthermore, the application of an electrode potential facilitates continuous electron transfer between the electrode and electrochemically active microorganisms, resulting in an enhanced electroluminescence signal in relation to the metabolic status. This strategy possesses better sensitivity, accuracy, and stability, demonstrating its potential for E. coli analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese (Mn) is an essential trace element for almost all living organisms. In plants, Mn deficiency, which is occurs in calcareous soils or alkaline soils, severely limiting crop yields. However, the potential mechanism of Mn transport in Triticum aestivum is still obscure. Here, we found that TaNRAMP3, a member of the naturally resistant macrophage protein (NRAMP) family in Triticum aestivum, is located in the plasma membrane of protoplasts and functions as an influx transporter for Mn in yeast (Δsmf1). The expression of TaNRAMP3 was induced under Mn-deficiency conditions. Furthermore, TaNRAMP3-RNAi plants exhibited a sensitive phenotype, while transgenic plants overexpressing TaNRAMP3 showed a tolerant phenotype. In addition, TaNRAMP3 rescued the sensitive phenotype of Arabidopsis nramp1 mutant under Mn deficiency condition. In summary, our study reveals the key role of TaNRAMP3 in Mn transport in Triticum aestivum, allowing it to adapt to Mn-deficiency stress. These findings provide new insights for the cultivation of Mn-deficiency tolerant wheat varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have established their promising application as infrared photodetector and the photothermoelectric (PTE) effect is demonstrated to play a critical role. While extensive studies are focused on the optoelectronic behaviors, the thermoelectric conversion involved in the PTE has been pursued to less extent probably due to the overall low thermopower under infrared (IR) illumination. Herein, to trigger a stronger PTE response, Au/CNT heterojunctions are formed by Au nanoparticles (NPs) decoration of CNT films to facilitate both light absorption and carrier transportation, so that thermoelectric property is enhanced simultaneously. Significant boost on infrared radiation energy conversion capability is therefore enabled in Au NPs decorated CNT film, delivering maximum output voltage of 26.1 mV and power of 27.3 µW, outperforming the state‐of‐the art photodetectors based on PTE effect. The transport mechanism is revealed via combining in situ Kelvin Probe Force Microscope mapping of the surface potential and macroscopic transport and output performances under IR illumination. Finally, the IR detection function is validated via an 8‐channel IR detector prototype, presenting sensitive responsivity and long‐term cyclic stability. The study thus demonstrates the PTE effect as a promising platform toward high‐performance optoelectronic applications such as IR detection and solar energy harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The advantages of γ-cyclodextrin (γ-CD) include its high solubility, ability to form inclusion complexes with various poorly water-soluble molecules, and favorable toxicological profile; thus, γ-CD is an attractive functional excipient widely used in many industrial settings. Unfortunately, the high cost of γ-CD caused by the low activity and stability of γ-cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (γ-CGTase) has hampered large-scale production and application. Results: This study reports the in vivo one-step production of immobilized γ-CGTase decorated on the surface of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) nanogranules by the N-terminal fusion of γ-CGTase to PHA synthase via a designed linker. The immobilized γ-CGTase-PHA nanogranules showed outstanding cyclization activity of 61.25 ± 3.94 U/mg (γ-CGTase protein) and hydrolysis activity of 36,273.99 ± 1892.49 U/mg, 44.74% and 18.83% higher than that of free γ-CGTase, respectively. The nanogranules also exhibited wider optimal pH (cyclization activity 7.0–9.0, hydrolysis activity 10.0–11.0) and temperature (55–60 °C) ranges and remarkable thermo- and pH-stability, expanding its utility to adapt to wider and more severe reaction conditions than the free enzyme. A high yield of CDs (22.73%) converted from starch and a high ratio (90.86%) of γ-CD in the catalysate were achieved at pH 9.0 and 50 °C for 10 h with 1 mmol/L K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ added to the reaction system. Moreover, γ-CGTase-PHA beads can be used at least eight times, retaining 82.04% of its initial hydrolysis activity and 75.73% of its initial cyclization activity. Conclusions: This study provides a promising nanobiocatalyst for the cost-efficient production of γ-CD, which could greatly facilitate process control and economize the production cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the soil liquefaction risk of the Taipei Basin using a reliable pre-liquefaction borehole database. To this, the study collected over ten thousand boreholes from several sources, and a rigorous screening process was adopted to delete less reliable boreholes in order to guarantee the reliability of the database. Only about 5 thousand boreholes survived. The established database was then used to determine the factor of safety against soil liquefaction by several simplified methods subject to the design earthquake of the Taipei Basin. To consider the surface manifestation of liquefaction, the liquefaction potential index (PL) was calculated. Since the ground surface of the Taipei Basin commonly has a several meters of non-liquefiable clay, a the further consideration of the thickness of the surface non-liquefiable crust proposed by the Japanese researchers was used to adjust the PL of each borehole according to the assumption of this study. Finally, the results by different simplified methods and the surface manifestation of liquefaction evaluation frameworks are compared and a brief summary is given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unhealthy diets rich in fats and/or sugar are considered as the major external cause of the obesity epidemic, which is often accompanied by a significant decrease in gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) levels. Numerous studies have demonstrated notable contributions of the gut microbiota in this process. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism still needs further investigation. The role of epigenetic modifications in gene expression and metabolism has been well demonstrated, with m6A methylation on RNAs being the most prevalent modification throughout their metabolism. In the present study, we found that the expressions of small intestinal Gcg and Pc3, two key genes regulating GLP1 expression, were significantly downregulated in obese mice, associated with reduced GLP1 level. Immunohistochemistry analysis indicated that a high-fat diet slightly increased the density of enteroendocrine L cells in the small intestine, implying that decreased GLP1 levels were not caused by the changes in L cell intensity. Instead, the small intestinal m6A level as well as the expression of known "writers", mettl3/14 and wtap, were found to be positively correlated with the expression of Gcg and Pc3. Fecal microbiota transplantation with feces from normal and obese mice daily to antibiotic-treated mice revealed that dysbiosis in diet-induced obesity was sufficient to reduce serum GLP1, small intestinal m6A level, and intestinal expressions of Gcg, Pc3, and writer genes (mettl3/14, wtap). However, as the most direct and universal methyl donor, the production of fecal S-adenosylmethionine was neither affected by the different dietary patterns nor their shaped microbiota. These results suggested that microbial modulation of the epitranscriptome may be involved in regulating GLP1 expression, and highlighted epitranscriptomic modifications as an additional level of interaction between diet and individual health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]