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Wine is renowned for its rich content of polyphenols, including resveratrol (Res), known for their health promoting properties. Steamed clam with wine, a popular Mediterranean delicacy that highlights the role of wine as a key ingredient. However, despite these benefits, resveratrol's low bioavailability poses challenges. Could the process of steaming together with clam alter the digestive fate of resveratrol from wine? This study explores the potential of proteoglycan-based nanoparticles from freshwater clam (CFNPs) as a delivery vehicle for enhancing the stability and bioavailability of resveratrol, compared with wine and free Res' solution, aiming to elucidate mechanisms facilitating Res' absorption. The results demonstrated that CFNPs can effectively encapsulate Res with an efficiency over 70%, leading to a uniform particle size of 70.5±0.1 nm (PDI < 0.2). Resveratrol loaded in CFNPs (CFNPs-Res) exhibited an improved antioxidant stability under various conditions, retaining over 90% of antioxidant capacity after three-day storage at room temperature. The controlled-release profile of Res loaded in CFNPs fits both first and Higuchi order kinetics and was more desirable than that of wine and the free Res. Examined by the simulated gastrointestinal digestion, CFNPs-Res showed a significantly higher bioaccessibility and antioxidant retention compared to free Res and the wines. The discovery and use of food derived nanoparticles to carry micronutrients and antioxidants could lead to a shift in functional food design and nutritional advice, advocating much more attention on these entities over solely conventional molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cloud and snow in remote sensing images typically block the underlying surface information and interfere with the extraction of available information, so detecting cloud and snow becomes a critical problem in remotely sensed image processing. The current methods for detecting clouds and snow are susceptible to interference from complex background, making it difficult to recover cloud edge details and causing missing and false detection phenomena. To address these issues, a cross-dimensional feature attention aggregation network is suggested to realize the segmentation of clouds and snow. To address the problem of interference induced by the similar spectral characteristics of clouds and snow, the context attention aggregation module is added to conflate feature maps of various dimensions and screen the information. Multi-scale strip convolution module (MSSCM) and its improved version MSSCMs are used to extract edge characteristics at different scales and improve the harsh segmentation border. Also, adding deep feature semantic information extraction module to deep features to guide the classification of the model to avoid the interference of complex background. Finally, a 'los beatles' module is used to replace the traditional linear combination in the decoding stage, and the feature information of different granularity is fused and extracted to enhance the model's detection efficiency. In this paper, experiments are carried out on the public datasets: CSWV, HRC _ WHU and L8 _ SPARCS. The MIOU scores on the three datasets are 89.507 % , 91.674 % and 80.722 % , respectively. Comparative experiment findings demonstrate that the network presented in this article can attain the highest detection accuracy and good detection efficiency with low parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction notice for an article titled "Exogenous Adenosine Antagonizes Excitatory Amino Acid Toxicity in Primary Astrocytes" published in the journal Cellular & Molecular Neurobiology. The correction addresses errors in Figure 3A and a typo in the funding section. The corrected version of Figure 3 is provided, showing the effects of gap junction intercellular communication in the OGD/R model. The funding section has also been corrected. The original article has been updated. [Extracted from the article]

Interfacial coupling of two-dimensional semiconductor materials is an effective option to construct heterojunction for enhancing photocatalytic activity. In this paper, a g-C3N4/SnS2 type-II heterojunction was constructed using an electrostatic self-assembly method. The g-C3N4/SnS2-60 showed a CO yield of 2.54 µmol g−1, which was 2.96 and 22.1 times that of the g-C3N4 and SnS2 nanosheets, respectively. The efficient carrier separation efficiency of the composites is mainly derived from the type-II heterojunction structure and the interfacial synergy of the two-dimensional (2D) structure. In addition, the high light response intensity of the g-C3N4/SnS2 composite also had excellent electron excitation and transfer ability. This work provides a new vision for the rational design of 2D heterojunction-based photocatalysts for the study of CO2 reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain crops are easily contaminated by fungi due to the existence of various microorganisms in the storage process, especially in humid and warm storage conditions. Compared with conventional methods, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has paved the way for the detection of fungi in grain crops as it is a rapid, nondestructive, and sensitive analytical method. In this work, Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Fusarium moniliforme and Trichoderma viride in grain crops were detected using colloidal Au nanoparticles and SERS. The results indicated that different fungi showed different Raman phenotypes, which could be easily characterized by SERS. Combined with multivariate statistical analysis, identification of a variety of fungi could be accomplished rapidly and accurately. This research can be applied for the rapid detection of fungi in the food and biomedical industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to maintain the physicochemical stability of oil emulsion has been one of the major challenges in food industry. Previously we reported the demulsification effects of catalase in the fish oil emulsion. In comparison, the influences of other two metal ion-containing oxidoreductases, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD), on the emulsion's stability were investigated. Submicron fish oil-in-water emulsion stabilized by polysorbate 80 was prepared by high-speed homogenization. Its physical stability was evaluated by visual and microscopic observation, turbidity and light scattering measurements, while chemical stability by the hydroperoxide content and lipid peroxidation. HRP demulsified the emulsion in a concentration-responsive manner after 3–7 days' incubation, resulting in a decreased turbidity and significant delamination. The enlargement of oil-polysorbate droplets and protein precipitates were confirmed by size distribution and TEM observation. HRP initially elevated the emulsion's hydroperoxide then decreased it while raising TBARS levels during 7-Day incubation. In contrary, SOD stabilized the emulsion physically and chemically. The demulsification was correspondingly attributed to the oxidation catalyzing activity of the peroxidase and the electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction between lipids and proteins. This study adds new insight to the influences of the two oxidoreductases on the stability, lipids and peroxides of food emulsions, proposes an exciting subject of elucidating the underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The health benefits of black tea have been well recognized worldwide. However, the low bioavailability of major bioactive compounds from tea has compromised the molecule-based mechanism of tea's function. Knowing tea infusion is rich in polymers and colloidal particles, a hypothesis is proposed here that tea bioactives may have self-assembled into colloidal nanoparticles to interact with mucosal cells in alimentary tract, regulating intestinal barrier function and mucosal immunity. The present study of colloidal nanoparticles (NPs) from a Chinese black tea infusion supports this new perspective. The NPs with hydrodynamic diameter of 180 nm and ζ-potential of -33.4 mV were efficiently isolated with size-exclusive chromatography. The NPs are mainly composed of protein and polysaccharides, together with caffeine, gallic acid and catechins. A hypothetic structure of the NPs was proposed according to FTIR spectra analysis and cryo-TEM images, in which the small molecular components were carried by the proteins-polysaccharides hybrid core. Possibly owing to enrichment of bioactives on the interfacial space of particles, the antioxidant activity of NPs was more potent than the tea bioactive compounds in free form at the same concentrations. The NPs elevated both extracellular and intracellular antioxidant activities, scavenging reactive oxygen species in human intestinal epithelial cells and murine peritoneal macrophages challenged by AAPH-derived peroxyl radicals, restoring macrophages' cell membrane potential and mitochondrial oxygen respiration. It showcases the cell protective capacity of incidental nanoparticles in food, enlightens the future of employing food nanoparticles to boost the mucosal barrier function and immunity, ameliorating inflammations in alimentary tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are a group of microbial metabolites of undigested dietary fiber, protein and unabsorbed amino acids in the colon, well-known for their gut health promoting benefits. A relatively high intestinal level of valerate was found in the healthy human subjects. However, the intestinal protection effects and the underlying mechanism of valerate are waiting to be verified and elucidated. Methods and Results: In the present study, valerate, a SCFAs mainly converted from proteins or amino acids, was demonstrated to promote intestinal barrier function at its physiological concentrations of 0–4 mM in the Caco-2 cell monolayer model of intestinal barrier using transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) assay and paracellular permeability assay. Valerate achieved the maximum increase in the TEER at 2 mM and reduced the paracellular permeability. Its intestinal barrier function promoting activity is similar to that of butyrate, with a broader range of effective concentrations than the later. Through western blot analysis, this activity is linked to the valerate-induced AMPK activation and tight junctions (TJs) assembly, but not to the reinforced expression of TJs related proteins. Conclusions: It provides direct experimental evidence supporting valerate's function in intestinal health, implying the once under-valued function of valerate and its amino acid precursors. The valerate's role in regulating intestine homeostasis and its possible synergetic effects with other SCFAs warranted to be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excitatory toxicity is still a hot topic in the study of ischemic stroke, and related research has focused mainly on neurons. Adenosine is an important neuromodulator that is known as a "biosignature" in the central nervous system (CNS). The protective effect of exogenous adenosine on neurons has been confirmed, but its mechanism remains elusive. In this study, astrocytes were pretreated with adenosine, and the effects of an A2a receptor (A2aR) inhibitor (SCH58261) and A2b receptor (A2bR) inhibitor (PSB1115) on excitatory glutamate were investigated. An oxygen glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) and glutamate model was generated in vitro. Post-model assessment included expression levels of glutamate transporters (glt-1), gap junction protein (Cx43) and glutamate receptor (AMPAR), Na+-K+-ATPase activity, and diffusion distance of dyes. Glutamate and glutamine contents were determined at different time points. The results showed that (1) adenosine could improve the function of Na+-K+-ATPase, upregulate the expression of glt-1, and enhance the synthesis of glutamine in astrocytes. This effect was associated with A2aR activation but not with A2bR activation. (2) Adenosine could inhibit the expression of gap junction protein (Cx43) and reduce glutamate diffusion. Inhibition of A2aR attenuated adenosine inhibition of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in the OGD/R model, while it enhanced adenosine inhibition of GJIC in the glutamate model, depending on the glutamate concentration. (3) Adenosine could cause AMPAR gradually entered the nucleus from the cytoplasm, thereby reducing the expression of AMPAR on the cell membrane. Taken together, the results indicate that adenosine plays a role of anti-excitatory toxicity effect in protection against neuronal death and the functional recovery of ischemic stroke mainly by targeting astrocytes, which are closely related to A2aR. The present study provided a scientific basis for adenosine prevention and ischemic stroke treatment, thereby providing a new approach for alleviating ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humic-like substances are essential components of soluble organic matter in tannery wastewater. However, the tannery process can promote the abiotic humification in wastewater. Therefore, it is of great significance to clarify the pathway and degree of abiotic humification and the properties of the as-derived humic acid-like (HAL) complex polymers in the tannery process in order to control the refractory organic compounds. In the present study, considering the catechol-Maillard system and commercial humic acid (HA) as control, the polyphenol-Maillard humification in the tannery process was simulated under the catalysis of MnO2. Moreover, physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques were used to characterize the separated fractions of HAL further. As a result, it was found that the catechol-Maillard system with small molecule organic matter as precursor had higher humification degree. Furthermore, the ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and excitation-emission matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectrum of humic acid-like 0 (HAL0) derived from it was different from those of humic acid-like 1 and 2 (HAL1 and HAL2) of polyphenol-Maillard system, indicating the differences of polymer structure between them. In the polyphenol-Maillard system, tannin was the skeleton of polymerization or polycondensation reaction, and the high content of N and the H/C value of HAL2 indicated that in adding to amino acids, proteins promoted the humification, forming industry-specific HAL polymers with a high degree of aliphatic nature. Therefore, it can be concluded that controlling the raw materials in the tannery process (especially tannins), in order to reduce the occurrence of abiotic humification may be the key to improve the efficiency of wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

g-C3N4 quantum dots (CN QDs)-decorated mesoporous CeO2 composite photocatalyst was prepared by hydrothermal method. The characterized results exhibit that the CN QDs are successfully coupled with mesoporous CeO2, and the photoelectronic response is effectively enhanced. The photocatalytic activity was tested by CO2 reduction, and the results showed that when the loading of CN QDs was 0.75 wt%, the composite photocatalyst has the best photocatalytic activity. After 10 h of UV irradiation, the yields of CO and CH4 were 22.48 µmol/g and 15.81 µmol/g, respectively. Some of the electrons generated within m-CeO2 participated in the CO2 reduction reaction and some were transferred to CN QDs through the two-phase interface to participate in the CO2 catalytic reaction. The oxygen vacancies in m-CeO2 can adsorb CO2 and the introduced CN QDs can excite more oxygen vacancies with m-CeO2 heterostructure, thereby adsorbing more CO2 and photoreduction electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ce doping TiO2/halloysite nanotubes photocatalyst (Ce-TiO2/HNTs) was prepared for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline (TC). The crystal structure, morphology and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties have been researched by XRD, TEM, UV–vis DRS and other characterized technologies. The TEM results showed that the Ce-TiO2 nanoparticles were evenly dispersed on the surface of HNTs with about 5 nm pore structure. The UV–vis DRS results showed that the doping of Ce effectively broadened the photo-absorption capacity of the pure TiO2. The PEC results confirmed that the doping of Ce decreased the electrochemical impedance of the photogenerated carrier in the transfer process and greatly improved the photogenerated efficiency of the electron within the TiO2 NPs. The XPS analysis showed that Ce co-existed in the form of Ce3+ and Ce4+ oxidation states in the Ce-TiO2/HNTs. The photodegradation experiments showed that Ce-TiO2/HNTs exhibited the enhanced photocatalytic activity under the visible-light irradiation compared with the pure TiO2 NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Densities, viscosity and bubble-point vapor pressures for binary mixtures of dimethoxy methane and a hydrocarbon fuel (exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene) were measured over the whole composition range. The excess molar volumes ( V m E ) and viscosity deviations (Δη) for the binary systems were calculated from the density and viscosity data. The Antoine equation was fitted with the experimental vapor pressures, and the corresponding parameters were calculated. Positive values of excess molar volumes, negative viscosity deviations and positive deviations from Raoult's law for the vapor pressures are observed. The three physical properties and the corresponding calculation results provide valuable information on the application and study of mixed liquid hydrocarbon fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the ill-posed problem in the process of reconstructing the spectral reflectance of the traditional matrix R method, a regularization matrix R method was proposed in this paper. Through analyzing the ill-posed equation of matrix R to reconstruct the spectral reflectance, the Tikhonov regularization method was researched to restrict the ill-posed problem to solve the Moore-Penrose pseudo inverse matrix. The L-curve method was used to obtain the optimal regularization parameter by training samples data in order to effectively restrict the ill-posed situation which was caused by the equation solving of spectral reconstruction. The experimental results verified that the proposed regularization matrix R method had higher spectral and chromatic accuracy of reconstructed spectrum than traditional matrix R method. At the same time, the proposed regularization matrix R method achieved good performance for color reproduction of real mural in practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of density, viscosity and vapor pressure for binary mixtures of exo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (JP-10) with isopropyl ether are reported at temperatures of (293.15, 298.15, 303.15, 308.15, and 313.15) K over the entire composition range. The excess molar volumes, viscosity deviation and excess Gibbs energies of activation for the binary systems were calculated from the experimental values and fitted with the Redlich-Kister equation. Isopropyl ether was added to enhance the vapor pressure of JP-10. Experimental vapor pressure data were correlated by the Antoine equation. Several semi-empirical equations were used to correlate the viscosity data. The McAllister equation gives relatively satisfactory results for the correlation. The experimental and correlated data could be used in the development of models for mixtures of hydrocarbons with oxygenates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chinese pine ( Pinus tabulaeformis) is a highly climate-sensitive species. Presently, the Huanglong Mountains are covered by widespread forests dominated by Chinese pine and thus has a great potential for dendrochronological studies. To increase the knowledge of NDVI changes of the Loess Plateau and their potential influences on the environmental changes, the regional tree-ring chronology from the Huanglong Mountains was used to investigate climate/NDVI relationships. Standard dendrochronological methods were applied to a regional tree-ring series of Pinus tabulaeformis from the Huanglong Mountains, the Loess Plateau. The relationships between ring widths and NDVI/climate factors were investigated by the simple and spatial correlation analysis. The results of the correlation analysis indicated that mean temperature has negative influences on tree growth, while the tree-ring widths of Chinese pine reflect the variations of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Herein the standard tree-ring width series was used to develop June-July NDVI for the Huanglong Mountains during the period AD 1812-2012, and it explained 41.2 % of the total NDVI variance during the period AD 1982-2006. The results of the spatial analysis show that the reconstructed NDVI has strong drought signals for the Huanglong Mountains. Drought events in the NDVI series are compared to the historical records and climate data in the study area, and show common drought events over much of Shaanxi. These drought-caused famines have had strong influences on the people of Shaanxi during the past 201 years. The moving correlation between March-July temperature and the NDVI reconstruction showed that the recent warming is the most important driving force of the drying trend and the resulting in tree growth decline during the last 30 years. Our reconstructed NDVI is significantly correlated with sea surface temperature in the Indian and the western Pacific Oceans. The linkages to the Indian and Pacific Oceans suggest the connection of regional NDVI variations to large-scale ocean-atmosphere-land circulation systems. Our NDVI reconstruction provides the long-term perspective on the vegetation dynamics of the Huanglong Mountains and is used to guide expectations of future forest variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a tree-ring width chronology from pine trees ( Pinus tabulaeformis and Pinus armandii) stand near the peaks of Huashan, Shaanxi, north-central China. Growth-climate response analyses showed that the radial growth of pine trees is mainly influenced by April-June precipitation. A model to reconstruct precipitation based on tree widths was constructed, accounting for 55 % of the instrumental variance during the period 1953-2012. Spatial correlation analyses between the reconstruction and observed gridded precipitation data shows that the seasonal precipitation reconstruction captures regional climatic variations over north China. Compared with the historical archives and other tree-ring records in north China, many large-scale drought events, linked to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), were found. Many of these events have had profound impacts on the people of north China over the past several centuries. Composite maps of sea surface temperatures and 500 hPa geopotential heights for selected extremely dry and wet years in Huashan show characteristics similar to those related to the ENSO patterns, particularly with regard to ocean and atmospheric conditions in the equatorial and north Pacific. Our 531-year precipitation reconstruction for Huashan provides a long-term perspective on current and 20th century wet and dry events in north China, and is useful to guide expectations of future variability, and helps us to address climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total suspended particulate matter (TSP) and dust fall concentrations in the ambient air of Kashgar, Xinjiang, were measured in a field campaign. The results revealed that the high levels of TSP and dust fall among literature were reported in data. TSP and dust fall showed the similar monthly variations. Monthly TSP level in air ranged between 304.0 and 2030.6 μg/m, and dust fall loadings varied from 8.6 to 248.1 g/m during the field campaign. Wind speed and direction were identified to be the most important meteorological factor affecting the concentrations of TSP. Central Asia and the Tarim Basin were identified to be the two major source regions from where TSP and dust were transported to Kashgar by both westerly and easterly winds. The dominant anion in TSP was SO, followed by Cl, NO, and F. The dominant cation in sampled TSP was Ca, followed by Na, K, NH4, and Mg. The principle component analysis showed that the first principal component (PC1) of the ion in TSP samples from the Kashgar region accounted for 44.81 % of total data variance, and the second principal component (PC2) accounted for 18.65 %. Mg, Na, K, Ca, NO, SO, and Cl have greater loadings in the PC1, and Cl and NH have greater loadings in the PC2. This study suggests that desert dust, earth crust, soil, and anthropogenic activities such as fossil fuel combustion were the main sources of TSP in the Kashgar area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ozone concentrations and meteorological data were continuously monitored online from June to December 2013 at the Akedala regional atmosphere station in an arid region of Central Asia. We present daily, monthly, and seasonal variations of ozone concentrations in the atmosphere and elucidate possible emission sources. The ozone concentrations of this region varied from 14.7 to 58.6 ppb. A remarkable seasonal variation of ozone in aerosols was observed with highest level in summer, followed by autumn and winter. The daily peak value of ozone was observed at 9:00-11:00 a.m. while the lowest was at 17:00-19:00 p.m. The backward trajectories of air masses showed potential emission sources to be from the northwest and south during the measurement period. The backward trajectory also revealed that ozone concentrations during the measurement period were likely attributable to the emission from anthropogenic activities, and medium-range atmospheric transport from cities in central Asia and the northern slope of the Tian Shan Mountains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of MnOx–CeO2 binary oxide catalysts were synthesized by polyvinylpyrrolidone -assisted supercritical antisolvent precipitation and the effects of the manganese (Mn)/cerium (Ce) molar ratio and calcination temperature on the structure and properties of MnOx–CeO2 were investigated. A solid solution was obtained at each experimental condition and the highest surface area of 107.6 m2/g was obtained at the Mn/Ce molar ratio of 3:5 and the calcination temperature of 400 °C. Low-temperature selective catalytic reduction of emissions of nitrogen oxides, namely NO, NO2, and N2O (deNOx) with ammonia (NH3) to convert them into nitrogen and water, was used as model reaction to evaluate MnOx–CeO2 catalytic performance. It is found that the activity first increased and then decreased with increasing Mn content and decreased with increasing calcination temperature. The highest catalytic activity (93.3% NO conversion and 100% N2 selectivity) was obtained at the Mn/Ce molar ratio of 1/1 and the calcination temperature of 400 °C, which was attributed to the combination of high surface area and high redox performance of the catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The special photocatalytic degradation intrinsic kinetics of gaseous cyclohexane were investigated in a designed fluidized bed photocatalytic reactor (FBPR). A series of photocatalytic kinetic reaction equations were developed to explore the relationship of degradation efficiency and operating variables based on photocatalytic mechanism and particle fluidization hydrodynamic characteristics. The corresponding results indicated that the initial concentration has influenced the photocatalytic degradation reaction conversion, and having a concentration inflexion point which theoretically divided the photocatalysis into a first-order apparent kinetic rate equation at low concentrations and a zero-order kinetic rate equation at high concentrations. Furthermore, these results were validated theoretically by the intrinsic kinetic models of photocatalytic degradation conversion developed according to variation of cyclohexane concentration and gas velocity. Based on the experimental results, the optimal operating gas velocity range was determined. The multi-factors synergy effect resulting from gas velocity on photocatalytic degradation efficiency was explored and proved by mass transfer, illumination transmission and adsorption models. Finally, the degradation pathways of the cyclohexane and deactivation mechanism of the photocatalyst were studied according to the intermediates degraded on TiO surface, and a feasible method presented for catalyst regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black carbon concentration and weather data were online monitored continuously from March 2008 to February 2009 at the Akedala regional atmosphere station in the arid region of Central Asia. We present the daily, monthly and seasonal variations of BC concentration in the atmosphere and discuss the possible emission sources. Black carbon concentration in this region varies in the range of 43.7-1,559.2 ng/m. A remarkable seasonal variation of BC in the aerosol was observed in the order of winter > spring > autumn > summer. The peak value of BC appeared at 10:00-13:00 while the lowest one at 7:00-9:00 each day. Air masses backward trajectories show the potential emission sources in the northwest from spring to autumn. Through back trajectory also revealed that BC in winter might be attributed to the emission from the anthropogenic activities, including domestic heating, cooking, combustion of oil and natural gas, and the medium-range transport from those cities in northern slope of Tianshan Mountains and Siberia. Some BC aerosols from the arid region of Central Asia were transported to the Pacific Ocean by the Westerlies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An appropriate coding method that can reduce the error rate of communication system is especially important to the free space optical communication. STBC (space-time block code) is an orthogonal encoding method integrating space domain and time domain. The technology can combat fading effectively and improve error rate performance. In this paper, first, an STBC fit for optical communication with intensity modulation and direct detection (IM/DD) is proposed by combining the orthogonality of the Alamouti space-time code and the QPPM modulation. Then, the error rate performance of the system is analyzed under four cases: with or without channel fading, with or without background radiation. At last, this scheme is confirmed by Monte Carlo approach. It is shown that this method not only realizes the full speed rate transmission, and can improve the error rate performance of the system effectively, but also overcomes the scintillation effect exerted by atmosphere turbulence. When the symbol error probability (SEP) is 2×10−3, according to the 1× 1 system, the sending power of the 2× 1 system is nearly reduced by 3.5 dBJ, and the 2× 2 system is nearly reduced by 9 dBJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The far red region of the spectrum is increasingly being utilised in many applications in the biosciences. However, apart from the cyanine group of dyes, there are relatively few far red fluorescent probes available which are of practical use. We have synthesised and characterised a new class of far red fluorescent probes based on the perylene dione chromophore. The 2,10 di-substituted perylene diones possess broad absorption spectra (>90 nm bandwidths), large Stokes shifts (>60 nm) and quantum yields of up to 0.5 with a maximum absorption at 610–640 nm in organic solvents or in solutions of non-ionic detergents. A number of derivatives have been synthesised that can be used as membrane probes, as chromogenic substrates for alkaline phosphatase, and for the labelling of macromolecules such as proteins and DNA. These novel far red fluorophores have potential applications in diagnostic and research applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to solve the geometric offset caused by replacing the filter during imaging of multichannel spectral image data, a multichannel spectral image registration method based on SURF feature merged with maximum submatrix is proposed. Firstly, the feature of multichannel spectral image is extracted by SURF. Then, a perspective transformation is performed to obtain a preliminary registration image. For the problem of invalid areas with zero pixel values appearing at the boundary of the image after registration, the largest submatrix is used to detect the maximum inscribed rectangle of the image to remove the invalid boundary region, and maximize the reserved effective region information. Experimented was processed with multichannel imaging data of murals. Experimental results agree with the theoretic analysis and verified that the proposed registration method is better adapted to image scale and brightness changing. At the same time, it can avoid the influence of invalid regions generated by other registration methods on subsequent spectral reconstruction and color restoration which has better performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Like any typical food system, bone soup (or broth), a traditional nourishing food in many cultures, contains a colloid dispersion of self-assembled micro/nano-particles. Food ingestion results in the direct contact of food colloidal MNPs with immune cells. Will they ever interact with each other? To answer the question, MNPs and NPs were separated from porcine bone soup and labeled with Nile Red, and their uptake by murine oral macrophages and its consequent effects were investigated. Colloidal particle samples of UF-MNPs and SEC-NP were prepared from porcine bone soup by ultrafiltration (UF) and size-exclusion chromatography, respectively. Their mean hydrodynamic diameters were 248 ± 10 nm and 170 ± 1 nm with dominant composition of protein and lipid. Particles in both samples were found to be internalized by oral macrophages upon co-incubation at particle/cell ratios of 14,000/1. In normal oral macrophages, the particle uptake exerted influence neither on the cellular cytosolic membrane potential (Vmem) nor mitochondrial superoxide level, as were indicated with fluorescent dyes of DiBAC4(3) and MitoSOX Red, respectively. However, when oral macrophages were challenged by peroxyl radical inducer AAPH, the engulfment of UF-MNPs and SEC-NPs mitigated the peroxyl radical induced membrane hyperpolarization effect by up to 70%, and the suppression on the oxygen respiration in mitochondria by up to 100%. Those results provide evidence of the direct interaction between food colloidal particles with immune cells, implying a possible new mode of food-body interaction. Food ingestion: Colloidal particles derived from bone soup interact with immune cells The uptake of food colloidal particles by oral macrophages can mitigate the peroxyl radical induced membrane hyperpolarization effect and suppress the oxygen respiration in mitochondria. Jianwu Zhou and coworkers from Zhejiang Gongshang University, China, separated micro/nano particles of 248 ± 10 nm and 170 ± 1 nm in diameter from porcine bone soup via membrane ultrafiltration and gel-filtration, respectively. By labeling the colloidal particles with hydrophobic fluorescent dyes, they tracked their internalization by oral macrophages upon co-incubation. It was found the food colloidal particles ingestion had no influence on the cell plasma membrane potential and mitochondrial superoxide level of the normal oral macrophages. However, when macrophages were irritated by peroxyl radical inducer 2,2′-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, the food micro/nano particles exhibited a pacifying effect. This finding reveal a possible new mode of food-body interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]