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miRNAs Regulate hERG Background The human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) is the major molecular component of the rapidly activating delayed rectifier K+ current (Ikr). Impairment of hERG function is believed to be a mechanism causing long-QT syndromes (LQTS). Growing evidences have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in functional modulation of the hERG pathway. The purpose of this study was to screen and validate miRNAs that regulate the hERG pathway. The miRNAs identified in this study will provide new tools to assess the mechanism of LQTS. Methods Six miRNAs were selected by algorithm predictions based on potential interaction with hERG. The effects of each miRNA on hERG were assessed by use of the Dual-Luciferase Reporter assay system, qRT-PCR, Western blotting, and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to validate the effect of miR-103a-1 on the electrophysiological characteristic of the Ikr of the hERG protein channel. Results miR-134, miR-103a-1, miR-143, and miR-3619 significantly downregulated luciferase activity (P < 0.05) in a reporter test system. These 4 miRNAs significantly suppressed expression of hERG mRNA and protein in U2OS cells (P < 0.05).Corresponding AMOs rescued expression of hERG mRNA and protein. Confocal microscopy showed that all 4 miRNAs reduced the expression of both immature and mature hERG protein. miR-103a-1 decreased the maximum current and tail current amplitudes of hERG channel. Conclusions Expression and functions of hERG are regulated by specific miRNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we have developed a simple, sensitive and paper-based colorimetric sensor for the selective detection of Chromium (Ⅵ) ions (Cr (VI)). Silanization-titanium dioxide modified filter paper (STCP) was used to trap bovine serum albumin capped gold nanoparticles (BSA-Au NPs), leading to the fabrication of BSA-Au NPs decorated membrane (BSA-Au NPs/STCP). The BSA-Au NPs/STCP operated on the principle that BSA-Au NPs anchored on the STCP were gradually etched by Cr (VI) as the leaching process of gold in the presence of hydrobromic acid (HBr) and hence induced a visible color change. Under optimum conditions, the paper-based colorimetric sensor showed clear color change after reaction with Cr (VI) as well as with favorable selectivity to a variety of possible interfering counterparts. The amount-dependent colorimetric response was linearly correlated with the Cr (VI) concentrations ranging from 0.5 µM to 50.0 µM with a detection limit down to 280 nM. Moreover, the developed cost-effective colorimetric sensor has been successfully applied to real environmental samples which demonstrated the potential for field applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed to investigate the diffusion properties of hydrogen (H) atoms in body-center-cubic (bcc) iron (Fe) with point defects, i.e., vacancies (Vs) and self-interstitial atoms (SIAs). Firstly, the binding energies of a H atom to a H/SIA-H cluster have been calculated by molecular statics simulations. The results show that single-H diffusion should be the major diffusion mechanism in perfect bcc Fe and bcc Fe with SIAs, but for bcc Fe with Vs, results from literatures show that multi-H diffusion should be taken into account. Further, the mean squared displacements method has been employed to determine the diffusivities and diffusion energy barriers of single-H at different temperatures in perfect bcc Fe. The diffusion energy barrier varies with the temperature. Furthermore, the H diffusion properties with different point defect concentrations have also been demonstrated, which showed that diffusivities reduce as the point defect concentration increases and the influence of point defects reduces as the temperature increases. Especially, SIAs exhibit negligible effect when the temperature is higher than 600 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crossbreeding of Australian Superfine Merinos (ASMs) with Gansu Alpine Finewool (GAF) sheep and an evaluation of the potential benefits of this genetic cross has not been previously conducted. 13 ASMs were crossbred with GAF sheep over a five year period with backcrossing designed to assess heterosis. Data from 11,178 lambs sired by 189 rams were used in the study. Genotype, birth year, birth type, dam age, sex and/or management group, and record age were fitted as fixed effects and within-genotype sire fitted as a random effect. Crossbreeds of 1/2 ASM expressed the most desirable effects for improving average fiber diameter (AFD), clean fleece weight (CFW), yield, coefficient of variation of AFD (CVAFD), yearling staple length (YSL) to AFD ratio (YSL/AFD), and CFW to metabolic yearling bodyweight (YWT0.75) ratio (CFW/YWT0.75) but showed the least post-weaning average daily gain (powADG) and YWT. Genotype of backcrossing with 1/4 ASM obtained moderate improvements in AFD, CFW, CVAFD, and YSL/AFD but the highest YSL, WWT, and prwADG. Except for yield (-1.42%) and CFW/YWT0.75 (-1%), heterosis estimates were generally low and positive, and ranged from 0.1% for CVAFD to 4% for powADG, which indicates the potential to improve relevant traits through exploiting heterosis to a varying extent. The ASMs sampled in this study were found to be superior to GAFs for AFD, CFW, yield, and CVAFD by 19.82%, 11.68%, 14.47%, and 6.99%, respectively, but inferior for YSL, PowADG, and YWT by 4.36%, 50.97%, and 16.93%, respectively. ASMs also appeared to be more efficient than GAFs in clean wool production (25.34%) and staple length growth (16.17%). The results of our study strongly suggest that an infusion of ASM genes via crossbreeding is an effective and appropriate approach to improve wool microns and wool production from GAF sheep, and we make recommendations to tackle the undesirable traits of YWT and YSL from ASM introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclohexanol and alkyl cyclohexanol are important chemical intermediates. It is meaningful to prepare cyclohexanols from non-fossil-based biomass. Here we report Ru/ZrO2–La(OH)3, a metal-solid base bifunctional catalyst, to show its excellent performance on the partial hydrodeoxygenation of lignin-derived phenols. Guaiacol could be converted to cyclohexanol with a 91.6% yield in water. Alkyl phenols with one or two methoxy groups were converted into alkyl cyclohexanols with yields over 86.9%. The catalyst had good activity of removing a methoxy group and retaining a hydroxyl group. In this catalyst, Zr and La interacted with each other to form a mixed (hydr)oxide, thus making ZrO2–La(OH)3 a stable support. Ru was highly dispersed on the ZrLa support. The pathway from guaiacol to cyclohexanol was investigated and proposed as two parallel ways, demethoxylation followed by hydrogenation (I), the saturation of the aromatic ring through hydrogenation and then demethoxylation through direct hydrogenolysis (II). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, two 3D anionic metal-organic frameworks, [(CH3CH2)2NH2]·[Zn(BTC)1/3(PyC)]·1/2CH3CN·2H2O (NKU-102) and [(CH3CH2)2NH2]·[Zn2(BTC) (PyC)]·1.5H2O·DEF (NKU-103), were constructed from the same reaction system at different temperature. Though both are of anionic framework, NKU-102 possesses a sealed 3D framework based on octahedral cage and shows negligible adsorption capacity of organic dyes, whereas NKU-103 features an open triangular microchannel surrounded by two types of helical chains, and thus exhibits outstanding size-selective adsorption toward small cationic organic dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical properties of bicrystalline graphene nanoribbons with various tilt grain boundaries (GBs) which typically consist of repeating pentagon–heptagon ring defects are investigated based on the method of molecular structural mechanics. The GB models are constructed via the theory of disclinations in crystals, and the elastic properties and ultimate strength of bicrystalline graphene nanoribbons are calculated under uniaxial tensile loads in perpendicular and parallel directions to grain boundaries. The dependence of mechanical properties is analyzed on the chirality and misorientation angles of graphene nanoribbons, and the experimental phenomena that Young's modulus and ultimate strength of bicrystalline graphene nanoribbons can either increase or decrease with the grain boundary angles are further verified and discussed. In addition, the influence of GB on the size effects of graphene Young's modulus is also analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In this study, soy protein isolate/sugar beet pectin (SPI/SBP) emulsion gelswere prepared through an enzymatic gelation process. The effects of emulsifier (SBP, SPI or SPI/SBP complex) and emulsification process on the microstructure, texture, breakdown properties and aroma release behavior of resulting emulsion gels were investigated. RESULTS: Oil emulsification by SBP/SPI complex resulted in a higher amount of emulsifier absorbing on the oil-water interface than by SBP and SPI alone, indicating that a more compact interfacial network was formed. Flocculation of oil droplets was observed and corresponding emulsion gels exhibited lower fracture force and strain when the oil was emulsified by SPI and SBP/SPI complex. Moreover, emulsion gels with small droplets produced a greater quantity of small fragments after mastication. However, microstructure did not have a significant effect on breakdown properties of emulsion gels. Headspace gas chromatography analysis showed that the release rate of ethyl butyrate before and aftermasticationwas significantly lower in emulsion gel with more compact network, but the release of aroma compounds with higher hydrophobicity did not show a significant influence of the microstructure and texture of emulsion gel. CONCLUSION: This finding provides a useful application for designing semi-solid foods with desirable flavor perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xinjiang, a region of high salinity and drought, is a host to many arid and semi-arid plants. Many of these plants including Ferula spp. have indigenous pharmaceutical histories. As many of the medicinal properties of plants are in tandem with the associated microorganisms residing within the plant tissues, it is advisable to explore the endophytic potential of such plants. In the present study, diversity of culturable bacteria isolated from medicinal plants Ferula songorica collected from Hebukesaier, Xinjiang were analyzed. A total of 170 endophytic bacteria belonging to three phyla, 15 orders, 20 families and 27 genera were isolated and characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The phylum Actinobacteria constitutes a major portion of the endophytic microbes isolated from the plant Ferula songorica (107 isolates). Overall endophytic species richness of the sample was 58 taxa while the sample has statistical values of 4.02, 0.97, 0.65 and 16.55 with Shannon's, Simpson, Species evenness and Margalef, respectively. Root tissues were found to be more suitable host for endophytes as compared to leaf and stem tissues. Among these endophytic strains, 88 % can grow on nitrogen-free media, 19 % solubilize phosphate, while 26 and 40 % are positive for production of protease and cellulase, respectively. The results confirm that the medicinal plant Ferula songorica represents an extremely rich reservoir for the isolation of diverged bacteria with potential for growth promoting factors and biologically active compounds including enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular interventional surgery (VIS) is an effective treatment method for vascular diseases. However, there are many problems in traditional VIS, such as surgeons are radiated by X-ray, the lack of well skilled surgeons, the security of the surgery will be reduced due to the Surgeons' fatigue, high risk of the surgery. To solve these problems, a robotic catheter system is needed to protect the surgeons and enhance the safety of the surgery. In this paper, a novel robotic catheter system with master-slave structure for VIS has been developed. This system is designed with the consideration of the operation method in traditional VIS, which allows the surgeon to operate a real catheter on the master side, then the surgeon make full use of the natural catheter manipulation experience and skills obtained in conventional catheter operation. The salve manipulator operates the catheter insert into the blood vessel with following the operation of the surgeon, and the operating force of the salve manipulator is detected. On the master side, a novel damper-based magnetorheological (MR) fluid is designed to realize the force feedback, which is also used to reappear the operation force from the salve manipulator. The damper connected directly with real catheter is a piston structure using the MR fluid to realize the force feedback. It can transmit the feedback force to surgeon's hand through the operating catheter connected with damper, which seems that the surgeon operates the catheter beside the patient. The operating transparency of the developed system has been enhanced. The mechanism of the developed system has been introduced in detail. Performance evaluation experiments for the developed robotic catheter system have been done. The experimental results indicated that the developed robotic catheter system is fit for VIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioactive indolo[3,2- j ]phenanthridine alkaloids, calothrixin A, B, and their analogues have been synthesized via formal cycloaddition of arynes and 2-aminophenanthridinedione as the key step, which proceeds through successive C–C/C–N bond formation and subsequent oxidation under transition-metal-free and mild conditions in the final stage of the synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By assembling CoII ions and a combination of 5-(4-pyridyl)tetrazole (4-ptz) and formate ions, two distinct metal-organic frameworks, [Co3(4-ptz)5(HCOO)(H2O)2] and [Co3(4-ptz)4(dmf)2(HCOO)2 ] (dmf= N, N′-dimethylformamide), were synthesized. They were both characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and powder X-ray diffraction. Structural analyses revealed that by slightly modulating the coordination environment of the trinuclear cobalt cluster, two complexes were formed featuring unusual six-connected nets reminiscent of a pyrazole-type linear trinuclear cobalt cluster as compared with the classic eight-connected bcu topology. In addition, [Co3(4-ptz)5(HCOO)(H2O)2] interacted strongly with CO2, with an adsorption enthalpy of 29.2 kJ mol−1, and in a selectivity study, the uptake ratios of CO2/N2 (from a 15:85 mixture) and CO2/CH4 (50:50 mixture) were 77.6 and 37.7, respectively. Magnetic studies on both complexes revealed weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the CoII ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dust velocity in fusion devices covers a wide range (several hundreds of m/s to over 10 km/s), which can cause various interactions between energetic dust grains and wall materials. Dust grain with low energy can influence the wall properties by deposition. Intense dust-wall interactions can cause serious wall damage such as sputtering, degradation, deformation and so on. As beryllium and tungsten are the material of the first wall and divertor, respectively, systematically molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to study the interactions between beryllium/tungsten dust and the beryllium/tungsten wall in the present study. A wide range of dust velocity has been considered to cover the velocity from experiments. Our result shows that the influences of dust on the wall are greatly affected by the impact velocity of dust grains and the properties of the wall material. A detailed analysis shows that the dust-wall interaction can be divided into four levels and an analytical model has been developed to explain the mechanism. Character velocities that separate the interaction levels are also provided by the model. The comparison between the MD result and the model shows a good agreement. Our result is helpful for the understanding of the mechanisms and the prediction of dust-wall interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A hierarchical porous carbon nanofibers-based solid phase microextraction method was developed. • Analysis of 8 kinds of alkylphenols in five minutes. • The elimination rate of alkylphenols in water was higher than 73.58% at 1 mL min‒1. Water pollution is becoming increasingly serious and seriously endangering human health, especially the direct emissions of phenolic compounds. An integrated sample pre-treatment and derivatization method based on a biopolymers/TEOS-based carbon nanofibers microextraction that allows rapid extraction (5 min), followed by separation and highly sensitive detection of phenolic compounds by gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, is described. The developed methodology, coupled with GC-MS, allowed low detection limits (0.03–0.32 ng mL‒1), good linearities (0.5–200 ng mL‒1) and recoveries (73.58–85.76%) to be achieved in a few steps and short time. Based on the high adsorption properties of materials, the on-line removal device of phenolic compounds in water was designed. The elimination rate of phenolic compounds in water was higher than 73.58% at 1 mL min‒1 and three cycles. The elimination strategy for the phenolic compounds is very versatile and is easy to apply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Solvothermal synthesis of pyridinium functionalized chitosan. • High efficiency of functionalized chitosan for methyl orange and Cr(VI) sorption. • A key role of pyridinium plays in adsorption. • Stable sorption and desorption properties for 5 successive cycles. A pyridinium functionalization chitosan (PCS) at high yield was facilely and solvothermally obtained from reactions of chitosan with N-2,4-dinitrophenyl-pyridinium chloride. The morphology and physical–chemical properties of PCS were tested with various techniques. Its sorption behaviors towards methyl orange (MO) and Cr(VI) were systematically investigated. Pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir equations well fitted the sorption kinetics and isotherms, respectively. Thermodynamics analyses revealed the spontaneous and endothermic sorption of these two contaminants. PCS exhibited high sorption capacity of 1649.30 mg·g−1 MO and 200.46 mg·g−1 Cr(VI) at 308 K. The superior sorption performance of PCS over MO is ascribed to ion exchange, intermolecular hydrogen bond, and electrostatic and π-π interactions, while sorption of PCS over Cr(VI) is mainly driven by electrostatic forces, reduction and ion exchange. Moreover, the PCS exceeded 95 % of its original capacities during five cycles. This high sorption capacities and high reusability make PCS an excellent sorbent candidate towards anionic contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a class of nanoporous materials. The development of efficient and environmentally friendly methods for activating MOFs is of great significance for its industrial application. In this work, nanoscale magnetic core-shell Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4 was prepared through a secondary growth strategy. The effects of different activation solvents (dichloromethane and ethanol, respectively) and temperatures on the surface area, pore structures and the adsorption of xylene isomers on Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4 were investigated. Ethanol as an activation solvent could more easily displace the precursors remaining in the channels of Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4 than dichloromethane, while the temperature change has no significant influence on the pore structure. The adsorption separation of xylene isomers on Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4 composite materials was studied using the batch vapor-phase adsorption, and liquid-phase breakthrough experiments. The activated Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4 (CH 2 Cl 2 -200 ​°C ​− ​C 2 H 5 OH) material has the highest adsorption capacity of 210.26 ​mg ​g−1 for p -xylene (p X). Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4 (C 2 H 5 OH) and Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4 materials have excellent adsorption capacity for m -xylene (m X), with the values of 200.19 ​mg ​g−1 and 219.63 ​mg ​g−1, respectively, which is about 4 times higher than that of Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4 (CH 2 Cl 2). The adsorption capacity sequence of xylene on Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4 (C 2 H 5 OH) and Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4 materials is m -xylene (m X) ​> ​ p -xylene (p X) ​> ​ o -xylene (o X), and that of other materials is p X ​> ​ m X ​> ​ o X. Nanoscale magnetic core-shell Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4 was prepared through a secondary growth strategy towards the adsorption separation of xylene isomers. [Display omitted] • Nanoscale magnetic core-shell Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4 was prepared through a secondary growth strategy. • The effects of different activation solvents and temperatures on the xylene isomers adsorption of Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4 were studied. • Using ethanol as an activation solvent could more easily displace the precursors remaining in the channels of Cu-BTC@Fe 3 O 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Herpes simplex virus is the most common cause of sporadic viral encephalitis. Cognitive impairments persist in most patients who survive herpes simplex virus-caused encephalitis after undergoing currently available treatments. This is the first report on the development of human cord blood-derived mononuclear cell transplantation as a new treatment intervention to improve the prognosis of sequelae of viral encephalitis.Case Presentation: An 11-year-old Han Chinese boy developed sequelae of viral encephalitis with cognitive, mental and motor impairments in the 8 months following routine treatments. Since receiving allogeneic cord blood-derived mononuclear cell transplantation combined with comprehensive rehabilitation therapies 7 years ago, the patient's health has significantly improved and remained stable.Conclusions: Human cord blood-derived mononuclear cell transplantation may be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating the neuropsychiatric and neurobehavioral sequelae of viral encephalitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The design approach of a W‐band single diode fundamental mixer is presented here. This mixer features planar structure easy for integrating and high intermediate frequency (IF). The mixer consists of a diplexer formed by a hammer‐head lowpass filter and a coupled line with open stubs, a broadband bandpass filter (BPF) using short stubs, a series diode, and the matching networks. This mixer covers IF signal up to 18 GHz by optimizing the frequency response of the diplexer, the radio frequency (RF) BPF, and the matching networks. Two open stubs are attached to both ends of the RF BPF, in order to add a transmission zero at local oscillator (LO) frequency. By this way, the required out‐of‐band rejection is fulfilled with lower order BPF, thus reducing the in‐band insertion loss. In addition, the coupled line with open stubs has low insertion loss at LO frequency, while having a transmission zero at RF frequency. All of the techniques above lead to a low loss high IF mixer. The measured conversion loss is 6.7–10 dB with 8–19 GHz IF and 82 GHz LO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The erythraeid species can be assigned with larva or adult only, or both under current Erythraeidae taxonomy. The present study describes two new erythraeid species from Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau (Oriental region). Marantelophus neodubifurcatussp. nov. is based on larvae that were off-host when collected, while Erythraeus (Zaracarus) mossesussp. nov. is based on a female adult, which was preying on an ant when collected, and larvae which were her offspring. The genus Marantelophus is divided into two species groups based on the odontus with or without a subterminal tooth, and M. neodubifurcatussp. nov. belongs to the group with the subterminal tooth. The larval members of the subgenus Erythraeus (Zaracarus) are divided into five species groups, and E. (Z.) mossesussp. nov. belongs to the group with the characters such that AL without swelling near bases, and fn BFe = 2-2-2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human corneal endothelial cells (HCEnCs) play a vital role in the maintenance of corneal transparency and visual acuity. In our daily life, HCEnCs are inevitably exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation leading to decreases of visual acuity and corneal transparency resulting in visual loss eventually. Therefore, understanding the UVB-induced cytotoxicity in HCEnCs is of importance for making efficient strategies to protect our vision from UVB-damage. However, in-depth knowledge about UVB-induced cytotoxicity in HCEnCs is missing. Herein, we pulse-irradiated the HCEnCs in vitro with 150 mJ/cm2 UVB (the environmental dose) at each subculture for 4 passages to explore the insights into UVB-induced phototoxicity. The results showed that the UVB-treated HCEnCs exhibit typical senescent characteristics, including significantly enlarged relative cell area, increased senescence-associated β-galactosidase positive staining, and upregulated p16INK4A and senescence associated secretory phenotypes (SASPs) such as CCL-27, IL-1α/6/8/10, TGF-β1 and TNF-α, as well as decreased cell proliferation and Lamin B1 expression, and translocation of Lamin B1. Furthermore, we explored the causative mechanisms of senescence and found that 150 mJ/cm2 UVB pulse-irradiation impairs DNA to activate DNA damage response (DDR) pathway of ATM—p53—p21WAF1/CIP1 with downregulated DNA repair enzyme PARP1, leading to cell cycle arrest resulting in DDR-mediated senescence. Meanwhile, UVB pulse-irradiation also elicits a consistent increase of ROS production to aggravate DNA damage and impose oxidative stress on energy metabolism leading to metabolic disturbance resulting in metabolic disturbance-mediated senescence. Altogether, the repeated pulse-irradiation of 150 mJ/cm2 UVB induces HCEnC senescence via both DDR pathway and energy metabolism disturbance. [Display omitted] • UVB-irradiation induces senescence of the human corneal endothelial cells (HCEnCs). • UVB-irradiation impairs DNA and engenders oxidative stress (OS) in the HCEnCs. • The DNA damage induces senescence of the HCEnCs via DNA damage response pathway. • The OS elicits energy metabolic disturbance resulting in senescence of the HCEnCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sichuan-Tibet Railway traverses the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China, where giant landslides occur frequently and densely. Accurately assessing the velocity, runout distance, and influenced area of the potential landslides is one of the nonnegligible scientific and technical issues. This study establishes a dynamic model for the landslide runout assessment along the Sichuan-Tibet Railway. The proposed model is based on the shallow water theory and takes into account the mechanism that the friction is weakening with the increase of velocity, the finite difference method is used to solve the governing equations, and the ideal one-dimensional dam break experiment was used to verify the shock-capturing capacity of the numerical methods. The Lagang ancient landslide, only 500 m away from the Jiacha Station of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway, represents the typical environment and development pattern of landslides in this region. Therefore, the proposed model is applied to discuss its effects on the landslide dynamic process and deposit patterns. Besides, 75 sets of numerical experiments were further carried out to explore the sensibility of the three parameters including peak friction coefficient μ p , steady friction coefficient μ s , and critical velocity V c in this model. The results indicate that μ s determine the lower limit of the friction coefficient, which significantly impacts the landslide runout distance; μ p is mainly acting at the initial and final stage and has less influence on the landslide dynamic. By contrast, V c is the most significant. When the V c is small, the landslide can quickly reach the threshold velocity after the initial, and the dynamic process has a small correlation with the μ p ; when the V c is large, the landslide is difficult to reach the threshold, and the mobility will be limited. It should be noted that the materials, lithology, strength, and micro-cracks of landslides mass formed under the special geological, geomorphic, and climatic conditions in this region may affect the input values when using the friction weakening model on landslides risk assessment. • Established a numerical method for landslide risk assessment in the Sichuan-Tibet railway area • The parameters sensitivity of the resistance weakening model was discussed based numerical tests • Provides a calibration basis and range for the parameters required to apply the model [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In situ self-boosting catalytic synthesis of hierarchical CNF-CNT/TMS architecture. • CNF/CNT doped with rich N, S. • TMS as the catalyst for secondary CNT branches growth. • Integrating of conductivity, absoption and catalysis. • Ultrastable long-life (1000 cycles) and high-rate performance (6C). Advanced hierarchical carbon-based hybrid (CH) nanostructures, typical carbon nanotubes/carbon nanofibers hybrid (CNT-CNF), with rationally tailored components, structures, and chemistries, have been widely dedicated to potential energy storage and conversion applications. Here we report a facile methodology for the synthesis of precise hierarchical heteroatom-doped carbon hybrid / transition metal sulfide (CNF-CNT/TMS) nanostructure assemblies with novel in-situ formed TMSs as the catalysts for secondary CNTs growth via a self-boosting catalytic pyrolysis. The key to in situ growth of CNT arrays is obtaining small high active TMS nanocatalysts and sufficient supply of carbon sources originated from polystyrene. Such special structure provides abundant active sites, beneficial for the application of N, S codoped CNF-CNT/TMS hybrid film in the electrochemistry without introducing extra dopants. As a proof-of-concept application, the representative CNF-CNT/Co 9 S 8 hybrid was exploited as a conductive and catalytic membrane reactor in a lithium–sulfur (Li-S) battery. This unique architecture can achieve a maximized synergistic effect of electron/ion transport, polysulfide entrapment and catalytic conversion, which enables significant enhancement in electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries. As anticipated, the Li-S battery exhibits ultrastable long-life (over 1000 cycles, with an ultralow decay of 0.034% per cycle) and high-rate performance (6 C). Moreover, at high loading of sulfur of 3.7 mg cm−2, stable cycling performance with high capacity retention can still be achieved after long-term tests. This work also presents a facile and effective strategy in the development of complex hierarchical carbon nanostructure, which may be a competitive candidate in other energy storage and conversion system. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is a key negative emission technology in response to climate change. The industrial chain of BECCS is composed of multi-agent participants: farmers, middlemen, enterprises. This paper fills a gap in BECCS research by establishing a tripartite evolutionary game model and conducting system dynamics simulation to analyze the participants' interaction and strategy choices on system equilibrium in supply chain of BECCS under vertical integration operation model, and further discussing the influence of policy incentives on BECCS. The results show that the willingness of both enterprises and middlemen participate in the cooperation is very low under current scenario. Therefore, appropriate incentives must be taken to promote commercial deployment of BECCS. From sensitivity analysis, the following useful references for practical applications of BECCS in the future are obtained: Compared with other factors, costs of carbon storage have a more significant impact on the evolutionary trajectories and are highly sensitive to evolutionary equilibrium. The government should subsidize carbon utilization and electricity tariffs, but could not provide an initial investment subsidy for BECCS retrofit. Vigorously developing middlemen and promoting the improvement of carbon trading market and carbon tax policies are also of great significance to implementation of BECCS. • We analyze Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage in vertical integration model. • The industrial chain of BECCS is composed of farmers, middlemen, enterprises. • A tripartite evolutionary game model is built to analyze multi-agent interaction. • Willingness of players participate in cooperation is low under current scenario. • Appropriate incentives must be taken to promote the deployment of BECCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micromonas is a unicellular motile alga within the Prasinophyceae, a green algal group that is related to land plants. This picoeukaryote (<2 μm diameter) is widespread in the marine environment but is not well understood at the cellular level. Here, we examine shifts in mRNA and protein expression over the course of the day-night cycle using triplicated mid-exponential, nutrient replete cultures of Micromonas pusilla CCMP1545. Samples were collected at key transition points during the diel cycle for evaluation using high-throughput LC-MS proteomics. In conjunction, matched mRNA samples from the same time points were sequenced using pair-ended directional Illumina RNA-Seq to investigate the dynamics and relationship between the mRNA and protein expression programs of M. pusilla. Similar to a prior study of the marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus, we found significant divergence in the mRNA and proteomics expression dynamics in response to the light:dark cycle. Additionally, expressional responses of genes and the proteins they encoded could also be variable within the same metabolic pathway, such as we observed in the oxygenic photosynthesis pathway. A regression framework was used to predict protein levels from both mRNA expression and gene-specific sequence-based features. Several features in the genome sequence were found to influence protein abundance including codon usage as well as 3’ UTR length and structure. Collectively, our studies provide insights into the regulation of the proteome over a diel cycle as well as the relationships between transcriptional and translational programs in the widespread marine green alga Micromonas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dual-pH switchable zwitterionic copolymer, poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate-co-acrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (poly(DMAEMA-co-AM-co-AA)), is synthesized by random copolymerization. Characterized by a sharp change in solution turbidity, the conformation of such polymers in aqueous solutions can be switched at both acidic (low pH) and alkaline (high pH) conditions, with the switching pH being finely tunable by controlling the molar ratio of cationic and anionic functional groups of the copolymer. Study with quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation confirm the origin of the conformational change from electrostatic attractions between cationic DMAEMA and anionic AA functional groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let $$\varphi $$ be an analytic self-map of the unit disk $$\mathbb {D},\,H(\mathbb {D})$$ the space of analytic functions on $${\mathbb {D}}$$ , and $$g \in H(\mathbb {D}).$$ The boundedness and compactness of the generalized integration operator from mixed-norm space to the Zygmund-type space, and the little Zygmund-type space are investigated in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a two-step strategy for fabricating soy protein-based microgel particles was introduced. Gel preparation and homogenization made up the two steps. Microgel particles with nano-scale size were obtained by homogenizing the hydrogel made from soy protein isolate (SPI) with the addition of microbial transglutaminase (MTGase). Colloidal stability, surface hydrophobicity and interfacial properties of the microgel particles were systematically investigated. We confirmed that the microgels had a more rigid conformation when compared to that of SPI, which was attributed to the covalent cross-links inside the microgels formed during gel preparation. By comparison with SPI, the microgel particles with three-phase contact angles more close to 90° exhibited lower surface activity, weaker intermolecular interactions at the interface. We found that most of the microgels adsorbed at the interface and stabilize Pickering type oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion at the pH around the isoelectric point of SPI. The resulting emulsion had good storage stability for 8 weeks. This preparation method, which requires simple operation and common devices, provides a new perspective of fabricating edible functional particulates for food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The paper aims to introduce the process flow of electroless nickel (EN) plating on carbon fiber surfaces, the effect of former processing on the properties of coating and the dynamics of the process.Design/methodology/approach The coated fibers were mounted in cold-setting epoxy resin, and transverse cross-section of the coated fibers were examined under an optical microscope to ascertain the thickness, uniformity and continuity of the coating over the fiber surface. The coating morphology was studied by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). This study also determined the activation energy and electrical properties of EN coated on carbon fibers.Findings Activation temperatures have a greater impact on the quality of EN. At a temperature of 80°C, the EN layer prepared was uniform and compact and fully coated the carbon fibers. The optimum components of the EN plating process is NiSO4: 28 g/L; NaH2PO2: 30 g/L; NaAc: 20 g/L; Na3C6H5O7:10 g/L; C4O6H2KNa: 2 g/L; (NH4)2SO4: 18 g/L; thiourea and lead acetate: trace; operating conditions: pH = 8.5, temperature: 70°C; time: 0.5 h). The activation energy of the EN plating on carbon fiber is 12 kJ/mol, and the electrical conductivity of nickel-plated carbon fiber in 80 mL of distilled water is 16.5 μs/cm.Originality/value This paper determined the optimum processing conditions and the activation energy of the EN plating on carbon fiber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study demonstrated that theasinensin A (TSA) had a potential to form the complex with hydrophobic Trp-containing dipeptides, and to reduce their membrane potential by artificial-lipid membrane taste sensor. At a 1:3 molar ratio of the 6 Trp-containing dipeptides together with TSA, we observed a significant chemical shift of the protons of the dipeptides (Δδ) to a high magnetic field, when analyzed using 1H-nuclear-magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The Δδ values were correlated with the hydrophobicity (log P) of the dipeptides and significant correlations were obtained (P = 0.022, R2 = 0.77); e.g., Trp-Leu with the highest log P value of 1.623 among the tested dipeptides showed the highest Δδ value of 0.105 ppm for the H7 proton of Trp-Leu, while less chemical shifts were observed in theasinensin B and epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate. Diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy revealed that the diffusion coefficient of 3 mM of Trp-Leu (7.6 × 10−11 m2/s) at a pulse field gradient in the range 0.05–0.3 T/m decreased in the presence of 3 mM TSA (6.6 × 10−11 m2/s), suggesting that Trp-Leu forms a complex with TSA. Quantum mechanical calculations and rotating frame nuclear Overhauser effect-NMR spectroscopy provided configuration information on the geometry of the complex that Trp-Leu formed with TSA (1:1 complex) with a ΔG energy of –8.7 kJ/mol. A sensor analysis using artificial-lipid membranes demonstrated that the changes in membrane potential of 1 mM Trp-Leu (21.8 ± 1.3 mV) and Leu-Trp (5.3 ± 0.9 mV) were significantly (P < 0.001) reduced by 1 mM TSA (Trp-Leu, 13.1 ± 2.4 mV; Leu-Trp, 3.5 ± 0.5 mV; TSA alone, 0.2 ± 0.01 mV), indicating the effective suppression of hydrophobicity of dipeptides by TSA-formed complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-organized vertically aligned or entangled randomly-oriented carbon nanotubes films filled with ferromagnetic Fe-based phases have recently attracted a great attention for numerous applications as potential electrodes. However the large difference between their synthesis –i) methods, -ii) parameters or –iii) the specific hydrocarbons-requirement have posed many challenges in the growth-selection of one of these film-morphologies. Another important issue is the brittleness of the first type of films which is generally due to low intimate contacts between each carbon nanotube comprised in the vertically aligned films and limits their direct implementation into applications. We propose an advanced low-flow rate chemical vapour deposition approach which allows the selection of either a free-standing flexible film comprising vertically aligned carbon nanotubes filled with large quantities of Fe 3 C particles or a free-standing flexible buckypaper comprising entangled randomly-oriented carbon nanotubes films partially filled with Fe 3 C through the simple control of the evaporation temperature of the used precursors consisting of large quantities of ferrocene and very low concentrations of dichlorobenzene. The morphological, cross sectional and structural properties of the obtained nanostructures are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, precast segmental concrete bridge columns became prevalent because of the benefits of accelerated construction, low environmental impact, high quality and low life cycle costs. The lack of a detailed configuration and appropriate design procedure to ensure a comparable performance with monolithic construction has impeded this structural system from being widely used in areas of high seismicity. In this study, precast segmental bridge column cyclic loading tests were conducted to investigate the performance of unbonded post-tensioned segmental bridge columns. One monolithic and two precast segmental columns were tested. The precast segmental column exhibited minor damage and small residual displacement after the maximum 7% cyclic drift; energy dissipation (ED) can be enhanced byadding ED bars. The experimental results were modeled by a simplified pushover method (SPOM), as well as a fiber model (FIBM) finite element method. Forty-five cases of columns with different aspect ratios, axial load ratios and ED bar ratios were analyzed with the SPOM and FIBM, respectively. Using these parametric results, a simplified design method was suggested by regressive analysis. Satisfactory correlation was found between the experimental results and the simplified design method for precast segmental columns with different design parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous cluster operation such as cluster reconfiguration is one of the enabling technologies for fractionated spacecraft. By virtue of the multi-agent system theory, this paper presents an organizational architecture for fractionated spacecraft, which not only enables autonomous cluster operations but also facilitates its non-traditional attributes. Within this organizational architecture, a decentralized framework is proposed to solve cluster reconfiguration problems based on primal and dual decomposition, where subgradient methods are adopted to include reconfiguration cases with non-differentiable objectives. Two typical constraints are considered: final configuration constraints representing coupling variables and collision avoidance constraints representing coupling constraints, both of which are non-convex. General schemes are proposed to convexify those constraints via the linearization and convex restriction technology. Then final configuration constraints are tackled by primal decomposition, while collision avoidance constraints by dual decomposition. To the end, multi-level primal and dual decompositions are employed to solve reconfiguration problems with both coupling variables and coupling constraints. For illustration an example of in-plane cluster reconfiguration is solved and compared with the centralized approach the solution is optimal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an advanced chemical vapour deposition approach which yields not previously observed carbon-based foam-like films completely filled with a single phase of α-Fe. These films are found in the region of the chemical vapour deposition reactor where the temperature is relatively low (650–770 °C) and exhibit a high saturation magnetization as high as 200–220 emu/g at room temperature when small concentrations of Cl-radicals are added to the pyrolysing CVD system by mixing 0.15 ml of dichlorobenzene to ferrocene. Instead when the only ferrocene is used a lower saturation magnetization of 140–145 emu/g is found due to an amorphous arrangement of the Fe-phase in some parts of the foam. Also we show that for much higher concentration of Cl radicals (0.65 ml of dichlorobenzene mixed to ferrocene) a dramatic decrease of the quantity of crystalline α-Fe is found together with the formation of amorphous Fe and Fe x O x phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavor is one of the most important criteria for consumer acceptance of food products, especially for low-fat food emulsions. In this study, we prepared structured flavoring oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions based on the crystallization behavior of β -sitosterol (Sito), a functional phytosterol, in the presence of emulsifier (sodium caseinate, SC and octenylsuccinate starch, OSS), These structured emulsions improved colloidal stability during long-term storage and delayed volatiles release under real time dynamic condition. However, the equilibrium static headspace analysis did not show significant differences in the affinities of hydrophobic volatile compounds with pure constitutes of unstructured and structured emulsions. This highlighted the importance of structural properties of the O/W interface in volatile release modulation. A modified gel trapping technology (GTT) combined with polarized light microscopy (PLM) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) were applied to characterize the microstructure at the oil-water interface, and it clearly showed the formation of a novel Sito crystal/OSA starch complex interface for OSS stabilized structured emulsion. This unique interfacial microstructure might contribute to the strong retention of volatile compounds due to steric barrier and enhanced affinity to those lipophilic volatiles. The formulated flavor emulsion with controlled volatile release profile was successfully prepared by simply blending the unstructured and structured flavoring emulsions. This work provides indications for potential applications of the formulation design in flavor emulsions and phytosterols structured emulsion as novel aroma delivery systems to improve flavor perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides an update of the Delfi nanosatellite programme of the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), with a focus on the recent in-orbit results of the second TU Delft satellite Delfi-n3Xt. In addition to the educational objective that has been reached with more than 80 students involved in the project, most of the technological objectives of Delfi-n3Xt have also been fulfilled with successful in-orbit demonstrations of payloads and platform. Among these demonstrations, four are highlighted in this paper, including a solid cool gas micropropulsion system, a new type of solar cell, a more robust Command and Data Handling Subsystem (CDHS), and a highly integrated Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem (ADCS) that performs three-axis active control using reaction wheels. Through the development of Delfi-n3Xt, significant experiences and lessons have been learned, which motivated a further step towards DelFFi, the third Delfi CubeSat mission, to demonstrate autonomous formation flying using two CubeSats named Delta and Phi. A brief update of the DelFFi mission is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 species complex has invaded several parts of the world in the past 30 years and replaced native whitefly populations in the invaded regions, including certain areas of China. One of the possible reasons for the invasion is that MEAM1 whiteflies are more fecund than native species. However, the factors that affect the reproduction of the B. tabaci cryptic species are not clearly known. The regulation of oogenesis is thought to be one of the essential processes for egg formation and ovary development and could affect its population dynamics. In this study, the ovariole structure and oogenesis of the MEAM1 species complex was examined using light and transmission electron microscopy. Telotrophic ovarioles were observed in the MEAM1 species complex. Each ovariole had two well defined regions: the tropharium and the vitellarium. The tropharium always had more than ten trophocytes. The development of a single oocyte in the vitellarium has four phases: oocyte formation, previtellogenesis, vitellogenesis and choriogenesis. Two arrested oocytes, follicular cells and uncompleted oocytes were separated from the tropharium by microtubule and microfilaments. Early previtellogenesis oocytes absorbed nutrients and endosymbiont bacteria through a nutritive cord. However, the vitellogenesis of oocytes transmitted Vg through both the nutritive cord and the space between follicular cells. Each mature oocyte with deposited yolk proteins had only one bacteriocyte and was surrounded by a single layer of follicular cells. The oogenesis in the B . tabaci MEAM1 species complex concluded with the differentiation of oocytes, the transport of yolk and endosymbionts as well as the development and maturation of oocytes. This result provides important information that further defines the regulation of oogenesis in the B. tabaci complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key challenge in the fabrication of ferromagnetically filled carbon-nanotube buckypapers in the presence of Cl-radicals is the achievement of a preferential horizontal nanotube-alignment. We show that a horizontal-alignment can be achieved by tuning two main CVD parameters for a fixed dichlorobenzene concentration: the precursor-evaporation temperature and the flow rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to identify the fatigue crack initiation and small crack growth mechanisms of GH4169 at 650 °C in air. Results show that fatigue cracks tend to initiate at oxidized inclusions. The crack incubation period takes up more than 90% of the fatigue lifetime. The δ phase can improve the crack initiation life and the total fatigue lifetime. The similarity between small crack and long crack growth data at relatively high Δ K can be attributed to the similarity of propagation mode. Two three-stage models are proposed to describe the cracks initiation and propagation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel decorated metal–organic polyhedron (MOP) based metal–organic framework with a unique 4,9-connected network is successfully constructed, which displays a relatively strong interaction toward H2 and CO2 probably due to the existence of open metal sites in the secondary building units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracavity intervention is expected to become increasingly popular in medical practice for both diagnosis and surgery. Wireless microrobots are employed in a wide range of biomedical application and they may have the potential to accomplish various radical medical procedures because they can be transported deep into the human body to perform tasks safely and reliably. In particular, colonoscopy is an important procedure during the diagnosis of various pathologies, especially cancer of the colon and rectum. However, the colonoscopy process is often painful for the patient and complex for the operator, so wireless microrobots could be employed for the early diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignant tumors. In this study, we developed a novel tele-operation system that can be used in biomedical applications, where we designed a master controller and slaver controller for the system. We also designed a novel type of wireless microrobot with hybrid motion, which can be driven by differences in an external magnetic field. Thus, a doctor could operate joysticks from the master side to control the wireless microrobot on the slave side in real time. Using a control algorithm based on an eight-step rotating magnetic field, the slave controller can generate a more uniform rotating magnetic field and avoid many of the problems that affect traditional control methods. We evaluared the performance of a tele-operated controller and the wireless microrobot with hybrid motion in experiments. The experimental results indicated that the wireless microrobot with hybrid motion could complete forward–backward and upward–downward movements easily with similar kinematic characteristics, where the available frequency band was widened by the control algorithm based on an eight-step rotating magnetic field. The maximum velocity was measured as 29.8 mm/s at around 18 Hz in the horizontal direction and as 9.6 mm/s at around 16 Hz in the vertical direction with an input current of 0.7 A. The tele-controller obtained good performance in the experiments and it could be used widely in medical clinics in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective The responses of oxygen uptake efficiency (OUE) during cardiopulmonary exercise training (CPET) have not been reported in patients with pulmonary hypertension. We aimed to investigate the differences in OUE between patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension ( CTEPH). Methods Forty-four patients with IPAH and 29 patients with CTEPH were retrospectively enrolled into our study. All patients underwent right-heart catheterization, pulmonary function test and performed the 6-min walk test and CPET. Results We found that oxygen uptake efficiency plateau (OUEP) and oxygen uptake efficiency at anaerobic threshold (OUE@AT) was significantly higher in IPAH than that in CTEPH (both P = 0.002). However, patients with CTEPH had lower mean pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance and transpulmonary gradient (all P < 0.05). The correlation between OUEP and heart rate at anaerobic threshold (HR_AT) was significant (r = 0.376, P < 0.05); however, no statistically significant correlation was found with ventilation at anaerobic threshold (VE_AT) (r = −0.074, P > 0.05) in patients with IPAH. In patients with CTEPH, both anaerobic threshold (r = 0.307, P > 0.05) and VE_AT (r = −0.709, P < 0.0001) were reduced. OUEP were higher in WHO functional class I/ II patients than in WHO functional class III/ IV patients (all P < 0.05). Conclusions OUEP and OUE@ AT are higher in IPAH than that in CTEPH not in proportion to haemodynamics, probably due to differences in cardiac function and pulmonary vascular occlusion. OUEP correlates well with the exercise capacity and the severity of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Space debris is considered as a serious problem for operational space missions. Many enabling space debris capturing and removal methods have been proposed in the past decade and several methods have been tested on ground and/or in parabolic flight experiments. However, not a single space debris has been removed yet. A space debris object is usually non-cooperative and thus different with targets of on-orbit servicing missions. Thus, capturing and removal of space debris is significantly more challenging. One of the greatest challenges is how to reliably capture and remove a non-cooperative target avoiding to generate even more space debris. To motivate this research area and facilitate the development of active space debris removal, this paper provides review and comparison of the existing technologies on active space debris capturing and removal. It also reviews research areas worth investigating under each capturing and removal method. Frameworks of methods for capturing and removing space debris are developed. The advantages and drawbacks of the most relevant capturing and removal methods are addressed as well. In addition, examples and existing projects related to these methods are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upon solvothermal reactions between Cd(ii) salt and 5-pyridyl-tetrazolate (4-Ptz) under different reaction conditions, three new Cd(ii) metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), namely [Cd3(4-Ptz)5(H2O)2(μ3-OH)·3DMA·5H2O·CH3OH]n (1), [Cd5(4-Ptz)8(CH3OH)2(μ3-OH)2·2DMA·4H2O·3CH3OH]n (2) and [{Cd9(4-Ptz)14(AC)2(μ3-OH)2(H2O)4}·8DMA·H2O·3CH3OH]n (3), were synthesized based on different highly connected secondary building units (SBUs). In the presence of triethylamine, 1 was constructed based on an 8-connected triangular trinuclear Cd3 SBU and exhibits a three-dimensional framework, while 2 was generated upon the addition of HCl, assembled through a close packing of the octahedron cages consisting of unprecedented 12-connected 4-Ptz bridged Cd5 SBUs and thus showing high thermal and chemical stability. For generating 3, two different kinds of Cd3 SBUs, including an 8-connected triangular SBU and a 10-connected linear SBU, were constructed and further integrated into a distorted octahedron-based net under the addition of both triethylamine and NaCl. In addition to the structural analysis, we also focused on the investigation of gas adsorption and solid-state fluorescence properties of 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FePd and CoPd tetragonal ferromagnetic nanoparticles have recently attracted a great attention due to their large magneto-crystalline anisotropy of ∼10 8 erg/cm 3 ideal for fabrication of magnetic-arrays with giant-coercivities. However, no studies are reported on the fabrication of these alloys inside carbon nanotubes. Here we reveal the synthesis of the FePd 3 –Fe 0.037 Pd 0.963 –Fe 3 C inside carbon nanotubes by chemical vapor deposition of large quantities of ferrocene with low quantities of dichloro-cyclooctadiene-palladium and its transformation to Fe 0.438 Pd 0.561 through annealing. Instead, planar graphitic structures with embedded FePd 3 –Fe 0.037 Pd 0.963 or CoPd/CoPd 2 particles are found when large quantities of dichloro-cyclooctadiene-palladium are pyrolyzed with low quantities ferrocene or cobaltocene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three coordination polymers, namely {[Cu(5-nipa) (L22)](H2O)2}n (1), [Zn(5-nipa)(L22)(H2O)]n (2), and {[Cd2(5-nipa) 2(L22)(H2O)3](H2O)3.6}n (3), were prepared under similar synthetic method based on 1,2-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (L22) and ancillary ligand 5-nitro-isophthalic acid (5-H2nipa) with CuII, ZnII, and CdII perchlorate, respectively. All the complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction indicates that complexes 1 and 2 show similar 1D chain structures, whereas complex 3 exhibits the 2D coordination network with hcb topology. The central metal atoms show distinct coordination arrangements ranging from distorted square-pyramid for CuII in 1, octahedron for ZnII in 2, to pentagonal- bipyramid for CdII in 3. The L22 ligand adopts the same (η3,μ2) coordination fashion in complexes 1-3, while the carboxyl groups of co-ligand 5-nipa2- adopt monodentate fashion in 1 and 2 and bidentate chelating mode in 3. These results indicate that the choice of metal ions exerts a significant influence on governing the target complexes. Furthermore, thermal stabilities of complexes 1-3 and photoluminescent properties of 2 and 3 were also studied in the solid state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The signal transducers and activators of the transcription (STAT) family play an important role in regulatory and cellular functions by regulating the expression of a variety of genes, including cytokines and growth factors. In the present study, a Pinctada fucata STAT protein, termed PfSTAT, was described. The deduced amino acid sequence of PfSTAT contains the conserved STAT_bind domain and the SH2 domain, and the additional Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domain, but does not have STAT_alpha and STAT_int domains. Multiple sequence alignments revealed that PfSTAT showed relatively low identity with vertebrate and other invertebrate STATs, and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the evolution of STAT may have been more complex and ancient. Gene expression analysis revealed that PfSTAT is involved in the immune response to polyinosinic–polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) stimulation and in the nucleus insertion operation. This study contributes to a better understanding of PfSTAT in protecting the pearl oyster from disease or injury caused by grafting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two isomorphic metal-organic frameworks, [Co 2 (4-Ptz) 2 (BDC)(DMA)] n ( 1 ) and [Co 2 (4-Ptz) 2 (2-NH 2 -BDC)(DMA)] n ( 2 ) (4-Ptz=5-(4-Pyridyl)tetrazole, H 2 BDC=Terephthalic Acid, 2-NH 2 -H 2 BDC=2-Aminoterephthalic Acid, DMA=N,N-dimethylacetamide), have been successfully constructed through solvothermal reactions. Crystallographic data analysis reveals a binuclear Co(II) cluster-based structure for 1 and 2 , which were constructed by bridging two neighboring Co(II) ions with teterazole rings of 4-Ptz ligand together with one DMA oxygen atom. Simplifying Co 2 cluster as a 6-connecting node, complexes 1 and 2 reveal bcu-6 net. The CO 2 adsorption isotherms measurement at 273 K manifests higher adsorption quantities for 2 (33.8 cm 3 /g) than 1 (26.2 cm 3 /g), which was attributed to the introduction of NH 2 -group in 2 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosmarinic Acid (RA), a caffeic acid ester, has been shown to exert anti-inflammation, anti-oxidant and antiallergic effects. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of RA in sodium taurocholate ()-induced acute pancreatitis, both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, RA (50 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 2 h before sodium taurocholate injection. Rats were sacrificed 12 h, 24 h or 48 h after sodium taurocholate injection. Pretreatment with RA significantly ameliorated pancreas histopathological changes, decreased amylase and lipase activities in serum, lowered myeloperoxidase activity in the pancreas, reduced systematic and pancreatic interleukin-1 β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, and inhibited NF-κB translocation in pancreas. In vitro, pretreating the fresh rat pancreatic acinar cells with 80 μ mol/L RA 2 h before 3750 nmol/L sodium taurocholate or 10 ng/L TNF-α administration significantly attenuated the reduction of isolated pancreatic acinar cell viability and inhibited the nuclear activation and translocation of NF-κB. Based on our findings, RA appears to attenuate damage in sodium taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis and reduce the release of inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB. These findings might provide a basis for investigating the therapeutic role of RA in managing acute pancreatits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two highly porous metal–organic frameworks are successfully constructed through the assembling of Co/Ni ions and mixed ligands. From the contribution of the uncoordinated tetrazolate N atoms of the ligand the two complexes show high CO2 adsorption capacities, serving as potential CO2 adsorption materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, aluminum nitride ( AlN) ceramics were first prepared by aqueous gelcasting. The effect of various parameters such as concentration of N, N-dimethylacrylamide ( DMAA, as monomers), N, N′-methylenbisacrylamide ( MBAM, as cross-linking agent), ammonium persulfate amount ( APS, as initiator), solid content and polymerization temperature on AlN ceramics was discussed for aqueous gelcasting system. Finally, drying methods of aqueous gelcasting AlN green bodies were investigated. Aqueous gelcasting AlN ceramics, sintered at 1850°C for 4 h, had homogeneous grain size and little grain boundary phase, and the relative density, flexural strength and thermal conductivity of aqueous gelcasting AlN ceramics were 99.9%, 333(±10) MPa, 136(±9) W/(m·K), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]