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Bacillus coagulans has been widely studied for its probiotic properties. Therefore, identifying a strain that can be used as an adjunct starter culture for yogurt production would have commercial value. In this study, 30 B. coagulans strains were isolated from vegetable samples from 11 provinces or autonomous regions in China, and their pan-genomic and phylogenetic characteristics were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis categorized 30 strains into 4 different subphylotypes, including subtype I (11 isolates), subtype II (7 isolates), subtype III (11 isolates), and subtype IV (1 isolate). Four B. coagulans strains (B. coagulans -70, B. coagulans -78, B. coagulans -79, and B. coagulans -100) were randomly selected from each subphylotype of the phylogenetic tree as adjunct starter cultures. Compared with the other tested strains, B. coagulans -70 showed the highest count in yogurt at the end of the manufacturing period. Comparative genome analysis indicated that the different bacterial levels of B. coagulans strains in yogurt may be associated with the abundance of genes related to carbohydrate transport and metabolism (e.g., sucrose utilization). Finally, differences in texture and volatile flavor compound profiles were observed between the yogurt samples. Compared with the other groups, the addition of B. coagulans -70 exerted a positive effect on the appearance and texture of yogurt products. Volatile analysis showed increased quantities of 2-heptanone, 2-nonanone, amyl alcohol, and 2-hydroxy-3-pentanone in the B. coagulans -70 group compared with control yogurts. These results above combined with the results of a sensory evaluation indicated that B. coagulans -70 is the most suitable strain for further use in functional dairy product development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective The goal of this study is to explore effective treatments for peripheral facial paralysis and to evaluate the clinical efficacies of warm needling therapy and acupuncture in peripheral facial paralysis. Methods PubMed (1979–2017), the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure database (CNKI, 1979–2017), Wanfang databases (1990–2017), and the Chongqing VIP full-text periodical database (VIP, 1989–2017) were searched by computer. Randomized controlled trials of warm needling therapy and acupuncture in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis were collected. The clinical trials that met the inclusion criteria were selected for quality assessment using the Cochrane 5.0 Handbook for systematic evaluation. RevMan5.3 was used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 23 articles with 1756 patients met the inclusion criteria. (1) The meta-analysis of 11 articles showed that the total effective rate of warm needling therapy for peripheral facial paralysis was higher than that of acupuncture [RR = 1.18, 95% CI (1.11,1.25) , P < 0.00001]. (2) The meta-analysis of 7 articles showed that the total effective rate of warm needling therapy combined with electroacupuncture in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis was higher than that of acupuncture combined with electroacupuncture [RR = 1.15, 95% CI (1.09, 1.21), P < 0.00001]. (3) The meta-analysis of 5 articles showed that the total effective rate of warm needling therapy combined with other therapies in the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis was higher than that of acupuncture combined with other therapies [RR = 1.08, 95% CI (1.03, 1.14), P = 0.002]. (4) The meta-analysis of 5 articles showed that warm needling therapy could improve the House–Brackmann (H–B) scores of patients with peripheral facial paralysis more than acupuncture [mean difference (MD)=−2.85, 95% CI (−5.08, −0.62), Z = 2.51, P = 0.01], indicating that warm needling therapy provides superior improvement in the function of facial nerve innervation in the patients. No adverse events were reported in the included studies. The methodological quality of the included studies was generally low. Conclusion The results of this meta-analysis showed that warm needling therapy is superior to acupuncture in treating peripheral facial paralysis, providing a therapeutic option for the treatment of peripheral facial paralysis. However, due to the small sample size and the low quality of the included studies, the above conclusion still needs to be validated with high-quality, large-scale, randomized, blinded controlled trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is a great potential reinforcing additives or conductive fillers for polymer composites. It is well known that interfacial properties between CNTs and polymer matrix have a critical effect on the properties of composites. Here, we demonstrate a novel strategy for preparing high efficient percolation networks of CNTs in polymer composite by partially wrapping of MWCNTs with crystallization induced self-assembly of pyrene end-capped poly( p -dioxanone)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (Py-PPDO-b-PEG). The wrapped surface can prevent the aggregation of CNTs, while the bare surface may still induce enough interconnection of CNTs, resulting in high efficient percolation network. The wrapping density, which could be easily engineered by control the crystallization temperature of PPDO block, is essential to the formation of percolation networks. The composite film prepared from Py-PPDO-b-PEG@MWCNTs and PCL exhibited much improved conductivity especially at very low nanotube concentration compared to those from neat MWCNTs without any wrapping. Especially using Py-PPDO-b-PEG@MWCNTs prepared at 40 °C as the precursors, the composite film exhibits both best electrical conductivity (3–11 orders of magnitude higher than that of PCL/MWCNTs composites films at same MWCNTs contents) and mechanical properties, which could be attributed to the optimized wrapping density of this sample. Dense or excessively sparse wrapping may impede the interconnection and dispersity of the MWCNTs, respectively, and therefore resulted in decreased conductivities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional (2-D) materials, especially transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), have attracted great attention due to their unique properties and the vast possibility they offer when combined into van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs), for example in optoelectronic applications. Although various photodetectors based on TMDC vdWHs have been successfully synthesized, an ab initio simulation framework dedicated to such devices is still missing. In this work, we investigate two photodetector designs based on MoSe 2 -WSe 2 vdWHs through a recently developed approach combining density functional theory and quantum transport calculations. Geometries with a partial and total TMDC overlap are considered, with a p-doped (n-doped) left (right) extension and an intrinsic region in the middle. We show that the partial overlap structure supports a non-zero photo-current, even without a p–n junction, and gives rise to the bulk photovoltaic effect (BPVE). The present results provide an easy-to-fabricate guideline for engineering the BPVE in the TMDC vdWHs. • We investigate two photodetector designs based on MoSe 2 -WSe 2 heterostructures through DFT + NEGF. • We demonstrate non-zero photocurrent without built-in potential with partial overlap. • The interlayer absorption and asymmetrical structure result in the unusual BPVE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The addition of BC30 improved the acidification and proteolysis of yogurt samples. • BC30 could maintain a high level of bacteria during the storage period of yogurt. • Texture profiles of BC30 fermented yogurt significantly changed during storage. • Discriminatory volatiles of BC30 fermented yogurt were detected during storage. The effects of Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC30) as supplementation on yogurt fermentation and storage were investigated in this study. Over 14 d of storage at 4 °C, we monitored changes in multiple parameters, including pH, titratable acidity, bacterial level, texture profiles, volatile flavor compounds, and sensory quality. BC30 supplementation improved fermented milk acidification and proteolysis. The bacterial level was significantly higher at the fermentation termination (5.59 log CFU/mL) than the fermentation initiation (6.86 log CFU/mL) (P < 0.05), indicating that BC30 own the potential to serve as an adjunct start culture. During the storage period, a high bacterial level of BC30 was detected. With prolonged storage, the yogurt samples supplemented with BC30 showed a decrease in firmness and an increase in viscosity. Furthermore, 12 discriminatory volatiles of BC30 fermented yogurt were detected during storage. Notably, the contents of some important diketones (2,3-butanedione and 3-hydroxy-2-butanone) increased continuously during storage, peaking at 14 d. The BC30-supplemented fermented milk had similar human sensory scores to the control group. Comparative genomic analysis between BC30 and B. coagulans -70 indicated that both these two strains showed the potentially to survive in the dairy environment. Our results will be of interest to the dairy industry to develop novel functional dairy products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We simulate a band-to-band tunneling field-effect transistor based on a vertical heterojunction of single-layer MoS 2 and WTe 2 , by exploiting the non-equilibrium Green’s function method and including electron–phonon scattering. For both in-plane and out-of-plane transport, we attempt to calibrate out models to the few available experimental results. We focus on the role of chemical doping and back-gate biasing, and investigate the off-state physics of this device by analyzing the influence of the top-gate geometrical alignment on the device performance. The device scalability as a function of gate length is also studied. Finally, we present two metrics for the switching delay and energy of the device. Our simulations indicate that vertical field-effect transistors based on transition metal dichalcogenides can provide very small values of sub-threshold swing when properly designed in terms of doping concentration and top-gate extension length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Interfacial compatibility of composite polymer electrolyte and electrode is the key factor to affect the performance of polymer Li-ion batteries. In this work, liquid electrolyte, pristine PVDF-HFP (poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)) gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) and nano-TiO2-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) hybrid doped PVDF-HFP composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) are used to investigate the interfacial compatibility between electrolyte and electrode on performance of LiCoO2/Li cells. The electrochemical performances of cells are studied by charge/discharge tests and electrochemical impedance. The interfacial compatibility coefficient (λ) that related to the interface of electrolyte and electrode is evaluated in terms of the fitting (i = e, sf, b and ct) with equivalent circuit and diffusion resistance (R diff ). The results confirm that the C-rare performance of cells with GPE is more significantly associated with the interfacial compatibility than the ionic conductivity of GPE. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The presented contribution aims at investigating the role of nano-TiO2 dispersibility in affecting the performance of PVDF-HFP based composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) for Li-ion cells. Four types of polymer electrolytes containing pristine PVDF-HFP gel polymer electrolyte (GPE), PVDF-HFP/nano-TiO2 CPE, PVDF-HFP/nano-TiO2-PMMA CPE and PVDF-HFP/high-dispersed nano-TiO2-PMMA CPE membranes are obtained by phase inversion. The effect of nano-TiO2 dispersibility on performances of PVDF-HFP based CPEs in terms of ionic conductivity, C-rate and cycling performance is investigated. The results demonstrate that the dispersibility of nano-TiO2 is a key factor to affect the performance of PVDF-HFP based CPEs, and the improvement of the dispersibility of nano-TiO2 can remarkably enhance the electrochemical performances of cells assembled with the corresponding CPEs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: NANOG is critical for maintaining the self-renewal and proliferative properties of embryonic stem cells. Here we found that cultured T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells, as well as human primary T-ALL cells, express a functional variant of NANOG. NANOG mRNA is derived predominantly from a retrogene locus termed NANOGP8. Furthermore, we showed that RNA interference-mediated NANOG knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, reduced self-renewal, promoted apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle through a p53-mediated pathway in leukemic cells. These findings demonstrate the oncogenic potential of this pluripotent gene in human T-ALL cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The profile of ferroelectric fatigue in lead zirconate titanate ceramic in the thickness direction was investigated by thinning the fatigued samples continuously from both sides symmetrically. The electrical properties of fatigued samples exhibited a gradual recovery with the samples being thinned and then remained nearly unchanged, however, well below the values at fresh state. The results revealed that fatigue was not limited to the near-electrode regions, but throughout the ceramic samples in the thickness direction. The electric field inhomogeneity in ferroelectric ceramics during bipolar switching was proposed to be responsible for ferroelectric fatigue and the fatigue profile through phase decomposition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Regulatory T cells (Tregs) can prevent graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Here we developed a lentivirus-based strategy to ectopically express Foxp3 in mouse CD4+CD25− T cells. These cells shared similar immunophenotypes and biological features of natural Tregs. Co-injection of engineered Tregs with donor bone marrow cells and splenocytes prevented recipients from lethal GVHD. Furthermore, we showed that graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect against EL4/DsRed leukemic cells was maximally preserved while GVHD was minimized during exposure to engineered Tregs in a mouse leukemia model. These findings provide a novel approach to preventing GVHD while maintaining GVL effect during BMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Papillary thyroid carcinoma usually presents as a multifocal disease; and tumors often recur in the contralateral thyroid lobe, raising questions concerning their clonal origins. The clonality of tumors appearing simultaneously in both lobes or recurring in the contralateral lobe remains unknown. Accordingly, we examined 25 pairs of bilateral papillary thyroid carcinomas (synchronous or metachronous) and 15 matched metastatic lymph nodes. BRAF gene mutation analysis combined with X-chromosome inactivation was used to evaluate these tumors'' clonal origins. Genomic DNA was prepared from paraffin-embedded tissues after microdissection. In total, 62 tumors yielded DNA of adequate quality. Eighteen (18/21, 85.7%) of 21 informative cases showed concordant BRAF status in tumors from both thyroid lobes, being either BRAF mutation positive (12 patients) or BRAF mutation negative (6 patients). Metastatic lymph nodes in 12 patients (12/15, 80%) had a complete concordance of BRAF state with their primaries. Of the 18 studied female patients, 11 were suitable for X-chromosome inactivation assay. Nine cases (9/11, 81.1%) showed the same pattern of inactivation in bilateral tumors. A close correlation was found between BRAF mutation and X-chromosome inactivation analysis. In conclusion, our data provide evidence that bilateral, recurrent, and metastatic papillary thyroid carcinomas often arise from a single clone and that intrathyroidal metastasis may play an important role in the development of bilateral tumors, as well as in the recurrence of this malignancy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: With the miniaturization trend of modern electronic devices and increasing demand for multilayer ceramic chip components, a full understanding of the role of the co-fired ceramic/electrode interface in the performance and long-term reliability of the components becomes very important. In the present work, the inter-diffusion and structure of the co-fired interface of Pb-based relaxor ferroelectrics and Ag–Pd metal electrode were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy–energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (TEM–EDAX). No strong structural distortions were observed at the co-fired ceramic/electrode interface except for a thin interfacial layer of 1.5nm thick on each side of the interface. The ceramic near the interface retains the perovskite lattice structure. It is suggested that the diffused electrode compositions could be incorporated into the perovskite lattice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The nanoporous TiO2 film electrodes have been prepared by a sol–gel deposition process. The photostability of the electrodes at different pH values have been studied. The results show that the photostability of the electrodes decreases with increasing solution pH, especially in strong basic solutions without methanol. The increase of photocurrent and the decrease of onset potential with solution pH can be attributed to the increase of the adsorbed HO− ions. The adsorbed HO− ions act not only as electron donors but as also potential-determining ions on TiO2 film surface. However, in basic solutions the adsorbed O2− anions on TiO2 surface will form as pH value increases. The reaction of holes to the adsorbed O2− anions produces active O− anions. In the solutions without enough methanol the products of active O− anions oxidize Ti3+ to Ti4+ on TiO2 film surface and subsurface to occupy gradually the oxygen vacancies as electron donors. This results in the nanoporous TiO2 film electrodes being unstable with increasing pH. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lateral growth of nickel coating on a ferrite substrate during electroplating of multilayer chip inductors (MLCI) was investigated. It was found that the lateral growth occurred after a certain time of electroplating, but not at the initial stage. Resistivity of the ferrite and inductance of MLCI decreased continuously with electroplating time. Moreover, surface morphology of the ferrite changed significantly after electroplating, which indicated chemical reactions to take place during the plating process whereas corrosion effect of acid solution on the material can be neglected. Judging from the results obtained, it was inferred that the resistance degradation should be attributed to hydrogen reduction during electroplating, which consequently led to the lateral growth of on the ferrite. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Electroplating treatment, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were conducted to investigate the reliability improvement of lead magnesium niobate-based ceramics (PMZNT) through MnO2 vaporous doping against hydrogen reduction during electroplating. The results showed that manganese dopant was reduced to be +3 oxidation state during the sintering and Mn3+ was incorporated into the perovskite lattice; however, only the outermost ceramics surface was doped while 50 μm beneath kept unchanged. This technique proved to enhance the reliability of PMZNT against electroplating significantly without changing the dielectric properties of ceramics body. Based on the above results, the modification mechanism of MnO2 vaporous doping was analyzed from the viewpoint of defect chemistry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Functional degradation of NiZnCu-based multilayer chip inductors (MLCI) during nickel electroplating and subsequent lateral growth of metal coating on the ferrite substrate were studied. It was found that the resistivity of the NiZnCu ferrite and inductance of MLCI decreased continuously during the electroplating. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the surface morphology of the ferrite had changed significantly after the electroplating. However, the resistance-degraded specimens can be restored partially through air annealing at elevated temperature. Based on the results obtained, it was inferred that the ceramics surface had suffered hydrogen reduction during the electroplating, which led to the functional degradation of ferrite material and the lateral growth of nickel coating. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]