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Flotation machines and flotation columns are widely used as separation equipment for coal sludge. In order to obtain better flotation results for different particle sizes, the bubble distribution and size in the flow field need to be studied. In this paper, a novel three-phase fluidized bed flotation column (TFC) was designed, and the shear effect of liquid velocity (0.198 m/s, 0.226 m/s, and 0.254 m/s) and static bed height (0.1 m, 0.2 m, and 0.3 m) on the bubbles in the mineralized flow field region was investigated and evaluated for the formation of bubbles by shear in laboratory and semi-industrial experiments. The results show that the increase in filling bed height has a very obvious strengthening effect on the reduction of bubble diameter, and after the filling bed height reaches a certain value, the filling bed height will weaken the effect of apparent gas velocity on bubble diameter. The apparent gas velocity has different influencing effects on bubble diameter, and under conditions of low water velocity, the increase in the apparent gas velocity contributes to the reduction of bubble diameter. The conclusions of this study are expected to optimize the operating parameters of the flotation mineralization process and enrich the study of TFC, which can provide a reference for the design of future TFC studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducted a comparison of the data quality of Earth Networks (EN) and Taiwan Power Company’s Total Lightning Detection System (TLDS) and evaluated the feasibility of using intracloud (IC) lightning to issue convective rain warnings. The results indicate uncertainties in the TLDS positioning of IC lightning. When forecasting convective rain on the basis of IC lightning jumps using EN data, the mean prefigurance and postagreement scores were 0.8 and 0.67, respectively, which were more favourable than the respective TLDS scores of 0.65 and 0.47. In regions with high TLDS positioning uncertainties, the use of EN data increased the number of prefigurance and postagreement hits in each analysis zone and raised the prefigurance and postagreement scores to 0.3 and 0.5, respectively. This indicates that analyses using EN data can reduce the risk of missed convective rain warnings when diagnosing IC jumps and can reduce the false alarm rate. In this study, IC jumps preceded convective rains by a maximum of 27.5–39.3 min on average in all analysis zones across Taiwan. The results suggest that diagnosing IC jumps to forecast convective rain is feasible, but until the uncertainties in the positioning of IC lightning using TLDSs have been remedied, EN data are the more suitable diagnostic choice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) is a nitroaromatic compound that causes soil and groundwater pollution during manufacture, transportation, and use, posing significant environmental and safety hazards. In this study, a TNT-degrading strain, Bacillus cereus strain T4, was screened and isolated from TNT-contaminated soil to explore its degradation characteristics and proteomic response to TNT. The results showed that after inoculation with the bacteria for 4 h, the TNT degradation rate reached 100% and was transformed into 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2-ADNT), 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene (4-ADNT), 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene (2,4-DANT), and 2,6-diamino-4-nitrotoluene (2,6-DANT), accompanied by the accumulation of nitrite and ammonium ions. Through proteomic sequencing, we identified 999 differentially expressed proteins (482 upregulated, 517 downregulated), mainly enriched in the pentose phosphate, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and amino acid metabolism pathways. In addition, the significant upregulation of nitroreductase and N-ethylmaleimide reductase was closely related to TNT denitration and confirmed that the strain T4 converted TNT into intermediate metabolites such as 2-ADNT and 4-ADNT. Therefore, Bacillus cereus strain T4 has the potential to degrade TNT and has a high tolerance to intermediate products, which may effectively degrade nitroaromatic pollutants such as TNT in situ remediation in combination with other bacterial communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lychee downy blight (LDB) is an oomycete pathogen (Peronophythora litchi) disease, which affects the fruits and leaves of lychee, resulting in economic losses. Chemical fungicides are commonly used for disease control, while for eco-safety measures, the study of molecular mechanisms involved in lychee resistance against LDB is necessary. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), circular (circRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs), play a crucial role in plant disease resistance. To examine lychee response (fruits and leaves) to LDB, we studied the expression patterns of ncRNAs and mRNAs under LDB treatment. By whole transcriptome sequencing analyses, a total of 36,885 mRNAs, 2627 lncRNAs, 4682 circRNAs, and 525 miRNAs were identified in lychee. A differential expression (DE) analysis revealed that there were 1095 DEmRNAs, 89 DElncRNAs, 28 DEcircRNAs, and 28 DEmiRNAs in the LDB-treated fruits, as well as 1158 DEmRNAs, 132 DElncRNAs, 13 DEcircRNAs, and 197 DEmiRNAs in the LDB-treated leaves. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses revealed that the potential function of DEmRNAs and the targets of ncRNAs were involved in plant defense. Furthermore, co-expression networks of putative interacting ncRNAs and mRNAs were developed, in which mRNAs encoded some receptor proteins, pointing to potential ncRNAs associated with LDB infection. Our study provided a new, brief insight to the putative role of ncRNAs in lychee response to LDB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bean bug Riptortus pedestris is a notorious insect pest that can damage various crops, especially soybean, in East Asia. In insects, the olfactory system plays a crucial role in host finding and feeding behaviour in which the odorant‐binding proteins (OBPs) are believed to be involved in initial step in this system. In this study, we produced the R. pedestris adult antennae‐expressed RpedOBP4 protein using a recombinant expression system in E. coli. Fluorescence competitive binding confirmed that RpedOBP4 has binding affinities to 7 of 20 soybean volatiles (ligands), and that a neutral condition is the best environment for it. The binding property of RpedOBP4 to these ligands was further revealed by integrating data from molecular docking, site‐directed mutagenesis and ligand binding assays. This demonstrated that five amino acid residues (I30, L33, Y47, I57 and Y121) are involved in the binding process of RpedOBP4 to corresponding ligands. These findings will not only help us to more thoroughly explore the olfactory mechanism of R. pedestris during feeding on soybean, but also lead to the identification of key candidate targets for developing environmental and efficient behaviour inhibitors to prevent population expansion of R. pedestris in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geographical, environmental and pollution conditions affect facial skin health, but their effects on skin appearance have not been elucidated. This study aimed to describe the skin barrier and skin tone characteristics of Chinese subjects according to lifestyle and environmental conditions using in vitro measurements. In total, 1092 women aged 22–42 years were recruited from 7 representative Chinese cities. Eight skin parameters (hydration, sebum, pH, transdermal water loss, individual type angle, melanin index, erythema index, yellowness) were measured using noninvasive instruments; individual lifestyle data were also collected. Data on four meteorological factors (air temperature, relative humidity, sunshine duration, wind speed) and seven air pollution indicators (air quality index, fine particulate matter, breathable particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and ozone) were collected in each city from the China Meteorological Administration. Facial skin characteristics differed significantly between cities. Facial skin barrier characteristics and skin tones showed regional differences, with a better skin barrier associated with the western region, as indicated by high skin hydration and sebum secretion and a low pH value. According to the value of transdermal water loss, lighter and darker skin tones were found in the western and southern regions, respectively. Environmental conditions affected facial skin status. Air pollution induced facial skin issues, with fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide contributing the most. Individual lifestyles affected the facial skin barrier and skin tone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salvianolic acid B (SAB) is one of the main active ingredients of Salvia Miltiorrhiza. It has significant skin anti‐aging, whitening, and sun protection properties. Aims: The study aimed at studying the mechanism underlying the effect of salvianolic acid Bon collagen synthesis, which has good anti‐aging efficacy and modulates microcirculation. Methods: This study employed available public databases, bioinformatics methodologies, and the inverse docking approach to explore the effectiveness of SAB in the regulating collagen synthesis, and then used an human dermal fibroblast (HDF)– Human dermal microvascular endothelial cell (HDMEC) in vitro model to validate the predicted mechanism of SAB in influencing collagen synthesis. Results: The results showed that NO production in SAB‐treated HDMEC‐conditioned medium was increased compared to that in control media, and the same tendency was also observed for growth factor production. SAB also upregulated HDMEC cellular eNOS and VEGF. When SAB‐treated HDMEC conditioned medium was transferred to HDFs, the expression of collagen I, collagen III, and elastin in HDFs was upregulated and MMP‐1 was downregulated. Conclusions: The results show that SAB regulates collagen through the HDMEC–HDF pathway. Furthermore, the mechanisms might be closely related to the microcirculation factors NO and VEGF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, simple, cost efficient, highly selective and sensitive assay methods for dopamine (DA) concentration and tyrosinase (TYR) activity were established based on a benzoyl peroxide (BPO) facilitated in situ "turn-on" fluorogenic reaction between resorcinol (RS) and DA, in which BPO was introduced in the system to accelerate DA oxidation, thereby realizing a faster reaction with RS to form the fluorescent substance, azamonardine, which was verified by HPLC, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and high resolution mass spectrometry. The introduction of BPO remarkably improved the sensitivity, linearity range and response speed for assay of DA and TYR. For the determination of DA concentration, the concentration has a good linear relationship in the range of 4.0–1.2 μM, and the detection limit is as low as 0.8 nM, and it was successfully applied to measuring DA in human urine and serum samples. In addition, a fluorescent method for determining the TYR activity was further established based on the enzymatic oxidation of tyramine to DA, the detection limit is 0.0013 U mL−1. And the method was used to determine TYR in human serum and screening of TYR inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floral color plays a crucial role in plant life such as plant-pollinator interactions and modifying the abiotic environment of reproductive structures. In the current study, 123 gerbera accessions were divided into six color groups (white, yellow, orange, pink, red, and purple), based on Royal Horticultural Society Color Chart calibration and colorimeter measurement. Partial least squares discriminant analysis showed that the white group was mainly affected by L * value, a * value, C value, and total anthocyanin contents, while the yellow group was positively correlated with L * value, b * value, and total anthocyanin contents. Similarly, the orange group was mainly affected by b * value and total carotenoid contents, whereas the pink group was positively correlated with L * and h values. Furthermore, the red group was affected by L * value, a * value, C value, and total anthocyanin contents, whilst the purple group was mainly distributed by L * value, a * value, b * value, and total anthocyanin contents. Based on 'Jin Xiang' transcriptome data, 14,106 expressed sequence tag (EST)-SSR markers were identified and 48 pairs of primers (19 newly developed primers) were screened. Population genetic structure, neighbor-joining clustering, and principal coordinate analysis showed that 123 gerbera accessions could be divided into two groups. EST-SSR-based association analysis showed that 1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 2, and 1 significant loci were related to L *, a *, b *, C , and h , total carotenoid, and total anthocyanin contents, respectively. These results provide an important reference for flower color classification and genetic improvement of gerbera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to explore the main factors affecting the occurrence of dandruff in healthy people (nondisease‐induced scalp desquamation). This study analyzed the fungal microbial diversity of the scalp in Chinese teenage volunteers and measured scalp sebum secretion, the scalp pH value, and scalp transepidermal water loss. The amount and size of dandruff were measured, and the main factors that influence dandruff in the normal population were identified using principal component analysis. The results showed that an increase in Malassezia restricta led to an increased amount of dandruff in the mild and moderate groups. Conversely, this was not found for individuals in the severe group, whose dandruff symptoms were influenced by scalp barrier function. In terms of dandruff area grouping, the pH value and the amount of sebum secretion were the main factors, with the barrier function and microbial diversity being secondary factors. Dandruff cosmetics should emphasize different treatments for different types of dandruff to achieve better antidandruff effects. The results of this study provide a new theoretical basis for the development of multiple targets for antidandruff agents aimed at the normal population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the chief diabetes mellitus complications. Inflammation factors may be one reason for the damage from DM. The purpose of this research is to study the potential protective effects of puerarin on DM and the possible mechanisms of action related to NF-κB signal pathway. Following administration of puerarin to the disease model rat, several changes were observed including the changes of serum biochemical index, improved diastolic dysfunction, and enhanced endogenous antioxidant enzymes activities, further NF-κB signaling activation. Puerarin showed cardio-protective effects on DCM by inhibiting inflammation, and it might be a potential candidate for the treatment of DCM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fair skins are traditionally viewed as beautiful in Eastern regions of the world, and whitening effect is therefore eternally pursued. The aim of this study was to evaluate the whitening effectiveness of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula using laser Doppler technology. In addition, a melanin and erythema meter (Mexameter MX18/MPA-9, Courage&Kahazaka) and VISIA facial imaging booth (VISIA-CR, Canfield) were used to establish parallel comparisons. Pre- and post-treatment results showed that the TCM formula exhibits the best skin whitening effect. This was followed in effectiveness by the vitamin C group. The negative control and blank groups showed no whitening effect. The obtained results indicated that skin micro-circulation was enhanced in the TCM formula group. Therefore,this method could provide sufficient nutritive substances to fibroblasts and collagen, which in turn remove cell metabolic waste and other harmful substances such as superoxide anion in a timely manner. This improves the overall health of skin cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel approach that involved the grafting of diblock copolymer with two types of monomer onto substrate by sequential surface initiated-atom transfer radical polymerization was proposed to prepare a mixed-mode chromatographic stationary phase. The distinguishing feature of this method is that it can be applied in the preparation of various mixed-mode stationary phases. In this study, a new reverse-phase/ion-exchange stationary phase was prepared by grafting hydrophobic styrene and cationic sodium 4-styrenesulfonate by the proposed approach onto silica surface. The chromatographic properties of the prepared stationary phase were evaluated by the separation of benzene derivatives, anilines, and β-agonists, and by the effect of pH values and acetonitrile content on the retention. Compared with typical RP columns, the prepared stationary phase achieved the better resolution and higher selectivity at a shorter separation time and lower organic content. Moreover, the application of the prepared column was proved by separating widely distributed polar and charged compounds simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ru-catalyzed directed o-C-H arylation reactions of 2-phenylpyridine, N-phenylpyrazole, acetophenone N-( p-methoxyphenyl)imine, and 2-phenyloxazoline proceed in good to excellent yields with a number of functionalized aryl and heteroaryl bromides in neat Bu4NOAc at 120 °C. The acetate ion acts as the base and the relatively low melting point Bu4N salts (a mixture of acetate and bromide) behave as an ionic liquid. Arylation reactions of 2-phenyloxazoline proceed with concomitant oxazolidine cleavage to give 2-( N-acetylamino)ethyl benzoates promoted by side product CH3COOH. The dual-purpose ionic liquid medium is compatible with both ligandless Ru for di-arylation (optimal pre-catalyst: RuCl3 · xH2O) and Ru-phosphane (optimal pre-catalyst: [RuCl2( p-cymene)]2/P( p-Tol)3 1:4) catalysts (1-5 mol-%) for selective mono-arylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose to further research the protective effect of MMI on myocardium ischemic rat model and H9c2 cells that underwent cell apoptosis induced by hypoxia. We established the myocardium ischemic rat model via the cardiac surgical proceduresin vivoand treated the model rats with different concentration of MMI.In vitro, with the pretreatment of MMI for 12 h in the model of Na2S2O4-induced hypoxia injury, the H9c2 cells viability was determined by MTT assay. We found that MMI had significantly improved cardiac function of the myocardial ischemia, and significantly decreased the reactive oxygen species level. The expression of P53, Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-9 was also induced by MMI.In vitrostudy revealed a concentration-dependent increase in cell viability associated with MMI pretreatment. Annexin V-FITC and PI staining results showed that MMI had a preventive effect on hypoxia-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells. MMI also inhibited the mitochondrial membrane potential decrease and increased total ATPase activity during hypoxia in H9c2 cells. In conclusion, MMI can enhance the cardiac function in myocardial ischemic rat and increase cell viability and attenuate the apoptosis in H9c2 cells induced by hypoxia, which was associated with inhibiting MMP decreasion and increasing total ATPase activity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The mung bean ( Vigna radiata) is an important food crop with preventative effects against human diseases. The anti-allergic activities of mung bean sprouts of different lengths were evaluated by assaying in vivo antipruritic activity and in vitro hyaluronidase inhibitory effects. After 48 h of growth, sprouts were determined to have the best activity and extracted with petroleum (PeF), ethyl acetate (EaF), and n-butanol (nBF). The active EaF extracts were further assayed for in vivo effects on compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation and histamine release, as well as the anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction. The main chemical constituents were further analyzed by UV spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometric detection (LC/MS/MS). EaF significantly protected against compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation and histamine release, and PCA. Flavonoids were determined to be the main contributors to the anti-allergic activity of the EaF extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saishitang Cu-polymetallic deposit is located in the southeast section of Late Paleozoic arcfold in the southeastern margin of Qaidam platform. Accoring to the geological process of the deposit, four mineralization episodes were identified: melt/fluid coexisting period (O), skarn period (A), first sulfide period (B) and second sulfide period (C), and 10 stages were finally subdivided. Three types of inclusions were classified in seven stages, namely crystal bearing inclusions (type I), aqueous inclusions (type II) and pure liquid inclusions (type III). Type I and II inclusions were observed in stage Ol, having homogenization temperature from 252 to 431°C, and salinities ranging from 24.3% to 48.0%. Type I inclusion was present in stage A1, having homogenization temperature from 506 to 548° C., and salinities ranging from 39.4% to 44.6%. In stage B1, type II and III inclusions were observed, with homogenization temperature concentrating between 300-400°C, and salinities from 0.4% to 4.3%. Type II inclusions were present in stage B2, with homogenization temperature varying from 403 to 550° C. In stage C1, type I and II inclusion commonly coexisted, and constituted a boiling inclusion group, having homogenization temperatures at 187-463°C, and salinities in a range of 29.4%-46.8% and 2.2%-11.0%. Type II and III inclusions were developed in stage C2, having homogenization temperature at 124-350°C, and salinities ranging between 1.6% and 15.4%. In stage C3, type II and III inclusions were presented, with a homogenization temperature range of 164-360°C, and salinities varying from 4.0% to 11.0%. The results of micro-thermal analysis show that fluids are characterized by high temperature and high salinity in stage O1 and A1, and experienced slight decrease in temperature and dramatic decrease in salinity in stage B1 and B2. In stage C1, the salinity of fluid increased greatly and a further decrease of temperature and salinity occurred in stage C2 and C3. Fluids boiled in stage C1. With calculated pressure of 22 MPa from the trapping temperature of 284-289°C, a mineralization depth of 2.2 km was inferred. Results of Laser Raman Spectroscopy show high density of H2O, CH4 and CO2 were found as gas composition. H-O isotope study indicates the ore-forming fluids were the mixture of magmatic water and meteoric water. Physicochemical parameters of fluids show oxygen and sulfur fugacity experienced a decrease, and redox state is weakly reducing. Along with fluid evolution, oxidation has increased slightly. Comprehensive analysis shows that melt exsolution occurred during the formation of quartz diorite and that metal elements existed and migrated in the form of chlorine complex. Immiscible fluid separation and boiling widely occurred after addition of new fluids, bringing about dissociation of chlorine-complex, resulting in a great deal of copper precipitation. In conclusion, Saishitang deposit, controlled by regional tectonics, is formed by metasomatism between highly fractionated mineralization rock body and wall rock, and belongs to banded skarn Cu-polymetallic deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using observational data and model sensitivity test, the present study diagnosed the evolution of an upper-level trough over 2-7 May 1998 during the mei-yu season in East Asia, with a focus on the role of latent heating downstream from the trough on the cutoff process and the formation of the cold-core low (CCL). Compared with conceptual models based on dry dynamics, the formation process of this cutoff low (COL) was inconsistent with the model of migratory jet streak-trough interaction, but the evolution of the upper-level trough (including its narrowing and rotation of axis) and the scale of the resultant COL generally agreed with the theory of interaction between trough and mean westerly flow with anticyclonic background shear. East/southeast of the trough, active and persistent convection appeared and induced 1) divergent ageostrophic flow near the tropopause, 2) an increase in mid- to upper-level thickness due to effective heating, and 3) amplification of an upper-level ridge downstream. Through a model sensitivity test, the diabatic heating is suggested to play a key role in the formation of the current CCL as the trough moved and extended southeastward to approach the amplifying ridge. Because of the east/southeast ageostrophic flow, the trough encountered a critical layer and became distorted, and its southern segment eventually detached to form a COL. When latent heating is turned off, the model produced a trough evolution anticipated by the dry theory but without cutoff. Such a role played by the moist process downstream of the trough during cutoff in the mei-yu season has not been previously noted in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-deletion of chromosomes 1p and 19q is a common event in oligodendroglial tumors (OTs), suggesting the presence of OT-related genes. The aim of this study was to identify the target genes residing in the minimally deleted regions on chromosome 1p36.31-p36.32 that might be involved in OTs. A novel gene KIAA0495/p53-dependent apoptosis modulator (PDAM) was found frequently deregulated, with 37 of 58 (63.8%) OTs examined showing reduced expression compared with normal brain. Chromosome 1p loss and epigenetic modifications were the major mechanisms contributing to PDAM downregulation. The role of PDAM in chemosensitivity was also evaluated. PDAM knockdown had no effect on sensitivity to vincristine, lomustine, temozolomide and paclitaxel, but could induce cisplatin resistance in glioma cells harboring wild-type p53. B-cell CCL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2)-like 1 (BCL2L1) exhibited significant upregulation, while BCL2 showed partial derepression in PDAM-silenced cells after cisplatin treatment, suggesting that alteration of anti-apoptotic genes contributed in part to cisplatin resistance. Knockdown of BCL2L1 abrogated the induced cisplatin-resistant phenotype. Moreover, our data suggested that PDAM might function as a non-protein-coding RNA. Collectively, these findings suggest that PDAM deregulation may play a role in OT development and that PDAM may possess the capacity to modulate apoptosis via regulation of p53-dependent anti-apoptotic genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern studies have shown that adaptogens can non-specifically enhance the resistance of human body under a wide range of external stress conditions with a multi-targeted and multi-channel network-like manner, especially by affect the immune-neuro-endocrine system and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. This review article draws the attention to the relationships of adaptogens, tonics from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and ginseng-like herbs worldwide, which all have similar plant sources and clinical applications. To clarify the sources and pharmacological mechanisms of these plant-originated adaptogens, which will provide useful information for the utilization of adaptogens to improve the human health. Meanwhile, the TCMs and the world-wide ginseng-like herbs from each region's ethnopharmacology will be beneficial modernization and globalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic research on the electron deposition process in the JAEA 10 A ion source is carried out by using a particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision simulation, which is based on a full three-dimensional self-developed code. Two parts are studied. One is the space and energy distribution of fast and slow electrons, the other is the vibration excitation collisions between electrons and hydrogen moleculars. The results show that the inhomogeneity of electrons comes from the Y direction drift of the fast electrons (Te ≥ 25 eV) due to the action of the magnetic fields. This drift also increases the number of vibration excitation collisions in the —Y direction, and results in the increase of Ha in the —Y direction, eventually leading to the —Y drift of H−. It explains the spatial non-uniformity in the JAEA 10 A ion source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]