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Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common inflammatory disease in otolaryngology, mainly manifested as nasal congestion, nasal discharge, facial pain/pressure, and smell disorder. CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), an important phenotype of CRS, has a high recurrence rate even after receiving corticosteroids and/or functional endoscopic sinus surgery. In recent years, clinicians have focused on the application of biological agents in CRSwNP. However, it has not reached a consensus on the timing and selection of biologics for the treatment of CRS so far. Summary: We reviewed the previous studies of biologics in CRS and summarized the indications, contraindications, efficacy assessment, prognosis, and adverse effects of biologics. Also, we evaluated the treatment response and adverse reactions of dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab in the management of CRS and made recommendations. Key Messages: Dupilumab, omalizumab, and mepolizumab have been approved for the treatment of CRSwNP by the US Food and Drug Administration. Type 2 and eosinophilic inflammation, need for systemic steroids or contraindication to systemic steroids, significantly impaired quality of life, anosmia, and comorbid asthma are required for the use of biologics. Based on current evidence, dupilumab has the prominent advantage in improving quality of life and reducing the risk of comorbid asthma in CRSwNP among the approved monoclonal antibodies. Most patients tolerate biological agents well in general with few major or severe adverse effects. Biologics have provided more options for severe uncontrolled CRSwNP patients or patients who refuse to have surgery. In the future, more novel biologics will be assessed in high-quality clinical trials and applied clinically.

2 μm ultrafast pulses as short as 4.8 ps are obtained with a maximum average output power of 767 mW. This is the highest average output power achieved so far, for a passively mode-locked laser at 2 μm using a two-dimensional saturable absorber.

Blue-green algae is an environmental problem; they reproduce rapidly and threaten aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, research on their use as a new energy resource is being actively conducted in various fields. This study was carried out to apply the natural dye from blue-green algae to the textile dyeing industry. Two methods were used to dye cotton and silk fabrics using blue phycocyanin dye extracted from blue-green algae. Six mordants were also tested in the process. The dyed fabrics were evaluated through dyeing depth and color fastness (washing, rubbing, dry cleaning, and light) tests. Phycocyanin dyed both fabrics blue and the dyeing effect was better on silk than on cotton fabric. In addition, Al, Sn, and Fe mordants were most effective for dyeing fabrics and co-mordants were more effective than pre-mordants.

The G-code for CNC machining of free-form surfaces is usually composed of continuous line segments. The sudden change of velocity direction at the corner of adjacent line segments will cause the vibration of the machine tool, eventually affecting the machining quality. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel smoothing method for line segments based on the real-time transformation of interpolation points (SSTI). Firstly, this method generates a smoothing interval on the line-segment path, which centered on the current original interpolation point. Secondly, a smoothed interpolation point corresponding with the current interpolation point is obtained, by a transformation according to the line-segment path in the smoothing interval. Finally, to ensure the machining accuracy, the smoothing error of the smoothed interpolation point is checked and controlled. Compared with conventional smoothing methods, the SSTI method has no special requirements on the original line-segment path, such as the length of line segments, the angle of corners, and the quantity of endpoints. Simulation and experimental results show that the SSTI method proposed in this paper has good adaptability to different types of line-segment paths, and the smooth optimization can be achieved under the premise of ensuring machining accuracy. The proposed method offers an effective trajectory-optimization strategy for the CNC machining of continuous line-segment path.

Tension-type headache (TTH) refers to a type of functionalism disease, which is commonly characterized by recurrent headaches of mild to moderate intensity, bilateral location, pressing or tightening quality, and no aggravation by routine physical activity. Has significantly impacts on people's work and life. Ear acupuncture as a traditional Chinese therapy, showing several advantages (e.g., safety, economy, and less side effects), has been extensively used to treat TTH. However, its curative effect is supported by limited evidence. Accordingly, the present study aims to comprehensively assess the reliability of ear acupuncture in TTH.The study will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis. Seven databases, including the Embase, Cochrane Library, Pubmed, SinoMed, CNKI, VIP, and Wanfang Data, will be searched using predefined search terms to identify relevant studies. The primary outcomes will be the pain intensity, the pain frequency and the impact of headache. The methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed with a previously established checklist. The Cochrane Collaboration's bias risk tool will be used for assessing the bias of included RCTs. Stata 17.0 software is used for meta-analysis.

SIMILAR TO RCD-ONE (SRO) family members and transcription factors (TFs) often improve plant antioxidant capacity through interaction and co-regulation and participate in plant resistance to drought and high-salt stress. However, whether SROs are involved in the response to heavy metal stress, especially SRO genes with a specific response and tolerance characteristics to cadmium (Cd) stress, remains unclear. We first identified six SRO genes in the potato genome by PARP and RST domains. Special and conserved StSROs were found, and the spatio temporal tissue-specific expression patterns and co-expression network diagrams of StSROs under the stress of 5 heavy metals were constructed. Second, we identified StSRO6 as a major effector gene (StSRO6-MEG) and StSRO5 as a secondary effector gene (StSRO5-SEG) through a comprehensive analysis. Interestingly, they may hold true for various physiological or stress responses in plants. In addition, using systematic genomics and comparative omics techniques, the key gene StSRO6 that affects the difference in Cd accumulation was discovered, cloned in the low-Cd accumulation "Yunshu 505", and transformed into the yeast mutant

The degradation kinetics of Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) surfactant in the UV/chlorine process was comprehensively investigated, and the formation of chlorinated disinfection by-products (Cl-DBPs) were determined. Results showed that the degradation of SDBS by UV, chlorine and UV/chlorine all followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The rate constant by UV/chlorine in ultrapure water was approximately 3 times higher than the sum of those by UV and chlorine, and decreased from 0.297 to 0.063 min

Yb3+-doped YMgB5O10 (Yb:YMB) crystals with better crystalline quality were grown successfully using the optimized flux of Li2O–B2O3–LiF instead of the traditional K2O3–MoO3 flux by the top-seeded solution growth method. The systematic investigation of the crystal growth, structure characteristics, polarized absorption and emission spectra, fluorescence decay curve and laser properties of the Yb:YMB crystal was reported for the first time. The main spectroscopic and laser parameters, such as the absorption coefficients and cross-sections, energy level schema and barycenter plot, radiative and fluorescence lifetime, emission and gain cross-sections, minimum inversion fraction, pump saturation intensity and minimum absorbed pump intensity, have been calculated and analysed in detail. The broad absorption band (FWHM, 18.4 nm, E//Z) at around 936 nm matches very well with the emission wavelength of InGaAs laser diodes. The intense spectra anisotropy and multi-wavelength emission characteristics make it possible to realize the multi-wavelength laser operation at about 1 μm. The dual-wavelength Yb:YMB laser working at 1036 and 1062 nm with a maximum output power of 3.02 W and a slope efficiency of 46.9% was achieved, which may be a potential light source for THz generation with a large frequency difference of 7.1 THz. The results reveal that Yb:YMB is a promising multi-wavelength laser crystal.

The pure and Nd3+-doped YMgB5O10 (YMB,Nd:YMB) crystals were grown successfully by the top-seeded solution growth method with composite fluxes, namely, Li2O–B2O3–LiF. The systematic investigation of the crystal structure, transmission spectrum, band gap, thermal properties, laser damage threshold and hardness for the YMB crystal, and polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra, fluorescence lifetimes and laser propeties for the Nd:YMB crystal were reported. Based on the J–O theory, spectroscopic parameters (including line strengths, J–O intensity, spontaneous transition rates, fluorescence branching ratios and radiative lifetimes) have been calculated in detail. The excellent physicochemical properties, such as the large band gap (5.6 eV), laser damage threshold (2.6 GW cm−2), hardness (6.5 Mohs) and thermal conductivity (5.94 W m−1 K−1, RT), show the great potential applied to the high-power laser system. The wide absorption band (FWHM, 21.2 nm, E//Y) at around 800 nm makes Nd:YMB quite suitable for the efficient pumping of AlGaAs laser diodes. The intense multi-wavelength emissions and spectral anisotropy characteristics can be observed clearly in the 850–930 nm, 1020–1100 nm and 1300–1430 nm polarized fluorescence spectra, which make it possible to realize multi-wavelength laser operation at around 0.89, 1.06 and 1.32 μm, respectively. The dual-wavelength Nd:YMB laser working at 1054 and 1090 nm with a maximum output power of 1.3 W and a slope efficiency of 31.9% was generated, which may be a potential light source for THz generation with a large frequency difference of 9.4 THz through difference frequency interactions. The results indicate that Nd:YMB is a promising multi-wavelength laser crystal.

To describe our experience with the combined use of pedicled neurotrophic flap and distraction osteogenesis in the management of complex lower extremity injuries with composite bone and soft tissue defects and assess the functional and cosmetic results of this method.A pedicled flap with a marked perforator artery was applied for soft tissue coverage after radical debridement and temporary external fixation. In the second stage, the Ilizarov external fixator was used in place of the temporary external fixator for reconstruction of the segmental bone defect by distraction osteogenesis. Twenty-five patients (16 men and nine women; mean age, 39.2 years) were treated by using this combined technique between 2008 and 2016. All cases were graded initially as Gustilo-Anderson grade IIIB open fractures. The soft tissue defect after radical debridement ranged from 9 cm × 5 cm to 14 cm × 11 cm, and the average size of segmental defect was 5.2 (Range, 2.5-8.5) cm. Seventeen of these patients had a history of local infection. The bone structure and function were evaluated by two independent evaluators using Paley's criteria.Twenty-five patients were followed up for an average of 28.96 (Range, 15-48) months. The distally based sural neurovascular flap was applied in 13 patients, and the greater saphenous neurocutaneous perforator flap in 12 patients. The flap area ranged from 10 cm × 5 cm to 14 cm × 12 cm. Sufficient coverage of soft tissue defect was achieved in all cases. All flaps survived completely without complications. The bone defects were corrected by a mean lengthening of 6.94 (Range, 4.5-9.5) cm. The residual discrepancy was1 cm in all cases, which was not clinically significant. The function was evaluated as excellent in 12 patients and good in 13 patients. Bone results were graded as excellent in 18 patients and good in seven patients. Complications during treatment included pain, pin tract infections, ankle midfoot joint stiffness, and docking site nonunion. No recurrence of infection was observed in infected patients. All cases achieved successful limb salvage and satisfactory function recovery without recurrence of infection.The combined technique of a perforator artery pedicled neurotrophic flap and distraction osteogenesis is an effective alternative approach in the salvage treatment of massively traumatized and chronically infected lower extremities.

Nd3+-doped GdMgB5O10 (Nd:GMB) crystals with better crystalline quality were grown successfully using the enhanced flux of K2Mo3O10–B2O3 instead of previous NaF flux by the top-seeded solution growth method. A systematic investigation of crystal structures, thermal and mechanical properties, polarized absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and lifetimes was reported in detail. The main spectroscopic parameters of Nd3+ ions in GMB crystals, such as J–O intensity, line strengths, spontaneous transition rates, fluorescence branching ratios and radiative lifetimes, were calculated systematically based on J–O theory. The large thermal conductivity (5.3 W mK−1, RT), specific heat (0.71 J gK−1, RT) and Mohs’ hardness (6.38, RT) make Nd:GMB more suitable for high-power laser systems. The broad absorption FWHM (22.3 nm) at around 800 nm matches very well with the emission wavelength of AlGaAs laser diodes. Five strong emission peaks located at 1053, 1066, 1074, 1080 and 1087 nm can be observed obviously in polarized fluorescence spectra. The intense spectral anisotropy and multi-wavelength emission characteristics indicate that Nd:GMB is a promising multi-wavelength laser crystal. Specifically, orthogonally polarized dual-wavelength lasers may be able to be used as light sources for the generation of THz radiation.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of autoimmune disease commonly characterized by joint pain and stiffness. This disease progression can exhibit common deformities and other activities with limited symptoms and significantly impacts people's work and life. Ear acupuncture as a traditional Chinese therapy, showing several advantages (e.g., safety, economy, and less side effects), has been extensively used to treat AS. However, its curative effect is supported by limited evidence. Accordingly, the present study aims to comprehensively assess the reliability of ear acupuncture in AS treatment.The study will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis. Seven databases, including the Embase, Cochrane Library, PubMed, SinoMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chongqing VIP Database for Chinese Technical Periodicals, and Wanfang Data, will be searched using predefined search terms to identify relevant studies. The primary outcomes will be the clinical efficiency, the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, and the visual analog scale. Eligible studies should report at least 1 of these primary outcomes. Eligible studies designed as randomized controlled trials will be included for meta-analysis, while other related clinical studies will be reviewed. The methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed with a previously established checklist. The Cochrane Collaboration's bias risk tool will be used for assessing the bias of included randomized controlled trials. Stata 17.0 software is used for meta-analysis.The protocol will be used to assess the efficacy and safety of ear acupuncture in AS treatment.This review reliably evidences whether ear is a reliable method for the intervention of AS.

The treatment of chronic stable heart failure (CSHF) with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine has been of wide concern. We mainly discuss the clinical efficacy of TCM decoction combined with acupuncture and moxibustion (AM) in CSHF treatment on the basis of syndrome differentiation and treatment (SDT). The control group was given conventional cardiac rehabilitation (CCR), and the treatment group was given TCM decoction combined with AM treatment based on SDT on the basis of conventional cardiac rehabilitation. The clinical efficacy and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) indicators were evaluated. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), NT-proBNP, myocardial ischemia threshold (MIT), and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) were measured by ultrasound, ELISA, electrocardiogram, and 6MWD test. After treatment, the clinical efficacy, LVEF, and 6MWD of the treatment group were better than in the control group. The NT-proBNP plasma level and MIT in the treatment group were lower than in the control group. The treatment group had enhanced AT, VO

In animals, endocytosis of a 7-transmembrane GPCR is mediated by arrestins to propagate or arrest cytoplasmic G-protein-mediated signaling, depending on the bias of the receptor or ligand, which determines how much one transduction pathway is used compared to another. In Arabidopsis thaliana, GPCRs are not required for G protein-coupled signaling because the heterotrimeric G protein complex spontaneously exchanges nucleotide. Instead, the 7-transmembrane protein AtRGS1 modulates G protein signaling through ligand-dependent endocytosis, which initiates de-repression of signaling without the involvement of canonical arrestins. Here, we found that endocytosis of AtRGS1 initiated from two separate pools of plasma membrane: Sterol-dependent domains and a clathrin-accessible neighborhood, each with a select set of discriminators, activators, and candidate arrestin-like adaptors. Ligand identity (either the pathogen-associated molecular pattern flg22 or the sugar glucose) determined the origin of AtRGS1 endocytosis. Different trafficking origins and trajectories led to different cellular outcomes. Thus, in this system, compartmentation with its associated signalosome architecture drives biased signaling.

In animals, endocytosis of a seven-transmembrane GPCR is mediated by arrestins to propagate or arrest cytoplasmic G protein-mediated signaling, depending on the bias of the receptor or ligand, which determines how much one transduction pathway is used compared to another. In Arabidopsis thaliana, GPCRs are not required for G protein-coupled signaling because the heterotrimeric G protein complex spontaneously exchanges nucleotide. Instead, the seven-transmembrane protein AtRGS1 modulates G protein signaling through ligand-dependent endocytosis, which initiates derepression of signaling without the involvement of canonical arrestins. Here, we found that endocytosis of AtRGS1 initiated from two separate pools of plasma membrane: sterol-dependent domains and a clathrin-accessible neighborhood, each with a select set of discriminators, activators, and candidate arrestin-like adaptors. Ligand identity (either the pathogen-associated molecular pattern flg22 or the sugar glucose) determined the origin of AtRGS1 endocytosis. Different trafficking origins and trajectories led to different cellular outcomes. Thus, in this system, compartmentation with its associated signalosome architecture drives biased signaling.

The in situ chemical immobilization method reduces the activity of heavy metals in soil by adding chemical amendments. It is widely used in farmland soil with moderate and mild heavy metal pollution due to its high efficiency and economy. However, the effects of different materials depend heavily on environmental factors such as soil texture, properties, and pollution levels. Under the influence of lead–zinc ore smelting and soil acidification, Cd is enriched and highly activated in the soils of northwestern Guizhou, China. Potato is an important economic crop in this region, and its absorption of Cd depends on the availability of Cd in the soil and the distribution of Cd within the plant. In this study, pot experiments were used to compare the effects of lime (LM), apatite (AP), calcite (CA), sepiolite (SP), bentonite (BN), and biochar (BC) on Cd accumulation in potatoes. The results showed that the application of LM (0.4%), AP (1.4%), and CA (0.4%) had a positive effect on soil pH and cations, and that they effectively reduced the availability of Cd in the soil. In contrast, the application of SP, BN, and BC had no significant effect on the soil properties and Cd availability. LM, AP, and CA treatment strongly reduced Cd accumulation in the potato tubers by controlling the total ‘flux’ of Cd into the potato plants. In contrast, the application of SP and BN promoted the migration of Cd from the root to the shoot, while the effect of BC varied by potato genotype. Overall, calcareous materials (LM, CA, and AP) were more applicable in the remediation of Cd-contaminated soils in the study area.

Fluence rate (FR) distribution (optical field) is of great significance in the optimal design of ultraviolet (UV) reactors for disinfection or oxidation processes in water treatment. Since the 1970s, various simulation models have been developed, which can be combined with computational fluidic dynamic software to calculate the fluence delivered in a UV reactor. These models strive for experimental validation and further improvement, which is a major challenge for UV technology in water treatment. Herein, a review of the simulation models of the FR distribution in a UV reactor and the applications of the current main experimental measurement approaches including conventional flat-type UV detector, spherical actinometer, and micro-fluorescent silica detector (MFSD), is presented. Moreover, FR distributions in a UV reactor are compared between various simulation models and MFSD measurements. In addition, the main influential factors on the FR distribution, including inner-wall reflection, refraction and shadowing effects of adjacent lamps, and turbidity effect are discussed, which is helpful for improving the accuracy of the simulation models and avoiding dark regions in the reactor design. This paper provides an overview on the simulation models and measurement approaches for the FR distribution, which is helpful for the model selection in fluence calculations and gives high confidence on the optimal design of UV reactors in regard to present methods.

A regional integrated energy system is a structure with a coordinated supply of photovoltaics, wind turbines, micro-turbines and other energy resources. With the goal of improving the energy utilization efficiency and achieving the effective management and coordinated development of a multi-energy system, how to optimize the control of energy has become a significant problem for regional integrated energy systems. This paper establishes a regional integrated energy system with photovoltaics, wind turbines, micro-turbines, and energy storage systems. A modified Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is used to evaluate the supply cost, and the environment value is proposed to optimize the control of multi-energy.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) may cause undesirable effects after microsurgical breast reconstruction. Although total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofol has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing PONV, it has not been assessed in autologous free flap breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antiemetic prophylaxis effect and safety of TIVA in microvascular breast reconstruction. METHODS: Eighty-three patients undergoing microsurgical breast reconstruction with propofol (31 patients) or sevoflurane (52 patients) were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence of PONV was assessed at 2, 6, and 24 hours after surgery. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was compared at T(1) (after flap elevation but before transfer), T(2) (15 minutes after revascularization), and T(3) (at the end of surgery). RESULTS: The incidence of nausea was significantly reduced in the TIVA group over 0 to 2 hours period (P=0.017), and over 2 to 6 hours period (P=0.033). The incidence of vomiting was significantly reduced in the TIVA group over 0 to 2 hours period (P=0.006), and over 2 to 6 hours period (P=0.005). MAP was higher in the TIVA group at T(1) (P=0.018), T(2) (P=0.005), and T(3) (P=0.007). The incidence of flap failure was similar between the two groups (P=0.373). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with sevoflurane maintaining anesthesia, propofol-based TIVA improves PONV with less fluctuation of MAP, and did not affect flap survival.

This paper investigates consensus for the third-order integrator networked multi-agent system with switching topology and input delay, which does not require the speed nor acceleration to be synchronized to zero. By variable transformations and based on scrambling matrix theory, sufficient conditions for the third-order integrator type networked multi-agent system to reach consensus are derived. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretic results.

A model of a thin elastic inclusion embedded in an infinite 1D hexagonal quasicrystal is discussed. The atomic arrangements of the matrix and the inclusion are both periodic along the $$x_{1}$$ -direction and quasiperiodic along the $$x_{2}$$ -direction in the $$ox_{1}x_{2}$$ -coordinate system. Using the hypersingular integral equation method, the inclusion problem is reduced to solving a set of hypersingular integral equations. Based on the exact analytical solution of the singular phonon and phason stresses near the inclusion front, a numerical method of the hypersingular integral equation is proposed using the finite-part integral method. Finally, the numerical solutions for the phonon and phason stress intensity factors of some examples are given.

In recent years, ultraviolet (UV) based advanced oxidation processes have been extensively studied for degradation of refractory organic pollutants in water and wastewater, and selection of an appropriate UV light source is an important issue. In this study, bench-scale tests were conducted on a mini-fluidic photoreaction system (MFPS) to determine the degradation kinetics of methylene blue (MB) by UV/peroxydisulfate (UV/PDS) process equipped with a low-pressure UV (LPUV), vacuum UV (VUV)/LPUV, or medium-pressure UV (MPUV) mercury vapor lamp. Results indicate that MB degradation by UV/PDS with various light sources all followed the pseudo-first order kinetics, and the photon fluence-based rate constant (k

A nickel-cobalt (NiCo) layered double hydroxide (LDH) saturable absorber (SA) was successfully fabricated and utilized as a passively mode-locked (PML) laser modulator for the first time. We successfully investigated a 1.34 µm passively Q-switched (PQS) and Q-switched mode-locked (QML) laser operation of Nd:Lu0.15Y0.85VO4 mixed crystal with NiCo-LDH SA, respectively. A stable pulse sequence with a narrowest pulse width of 52 ns and a repetition frequency of 1.18 MHz was obtained, leading to a single pulse energy of 0.72 µJ. Furthermore, for the QML laser operation, an average power of 1.10 W and a calculated pulse width of 25 ps were gained with a repetition frequency of 134 MHz. The results indicate the NiCo-LDH SA has remarkable nonlinear optical properties and promising application prospects in the field of laser modulators at 1.3 µm.

A Tm3+/Ho3+ co-doped Li2Gd4(MoO4)7 (Tm/Ho:LGMO) crystal was grown using the Czochralski method. A systematic investigation of the structure characteristics, polarized absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and lifetimes, and emission and gain cross-sections of this crystal was reported for the first time. The main spectroscopic parameters of Ho3+ ions in the grown crystal, such as J–O intensity parameters, line and oscillator strengths, spontaneous transition rates, fluorescence branching ratios and radiative lifetimes, were calculated using the Judd–Ofelt theory. Due to the statistical distributions of Li+, Gd3+ and vacancies, the absorption and emission spectra are strongly inhomogeneously broadened. The wide absorption bands at around 795 nm are quite desirable for the efficient pumping of AlGaAs laser diodes whose emission wavelengths usually change with the operating temperature. The broad emission bands from 1600 to 2200 nm allow wide tunability of laser oscillation. All the results reveal that the Tm/Ho:LGMO crystal is a promising gain medium for tunable and ultrafast pulse lasers at 2.0 μm.

A novel nickel–cobalt (NiCo)-layered double hydroxide (LDH) saturable absorber (SA) was fabricated by the liquid-phase exfoliation method and applied as the laser modulator for the first time. We successfully investigated the laser modulation performance of the NiCo-LDH SA at 2 µm with a passively Q-switched (PQS) Tm:YAG ceramic laser. The narrowest pulse width of 322.6 ns was obtained, corresponding to a pulse repetition frequency of 119.3 kHz and a single pulse energy of 2.10 µJ. As far as we know, this is the shortest pulse width of PQS Tm:YAG crystal and ceramic lasers with two-dimensional materials saturable absorber. The results show that NiCo-LDH SA is a promising candidate for the application of laser modulators at 2 µm.

A passively Q-switched Ho,Pr:LiLuF4 laser at $2.95~\mu \text{m}$ was demonstrated by using a MoS2 saturable absorber, which was prepared by a liquid phase exfoliation method. Under an absorbed pump power of 3.77 W, the maximum average output power of 70 mW was obtained with a repetition of 85.8 kHz and a pulse duration of 621 ns. The results reveal that Ho3+/Pr3+-codoped LiLuF4crystal is a promising candidate to generate 3- $\mu \text{m}$ pulsed laser.

A bulk crystal of Yb-doped GdMgB 5 O 10 was firstly grown successfully by the top seeded solution growth method. The spectroscopic properties were characterized in terms of polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra, and lifetime measurement. Stark energy level diagram for the Yb 3+ :GdMgB 5 O 10 crystal was analyzed. Corresponding absorption and emission cross-sections, the gain cross-sections were calculated. A maximum laser output power 5.35 W was attained with corresponding to an optical-to-optical efficiency of 50.8% and a slope efficiency of 56%. The results show that Yb 3+ :GdMgB 5 O 10 crystal is a promising laser medium.

We describe passively Q-switched Er:LuAG laser characteristics at 1.65 μm for the first time, with MoS2 and WS2 as the saturable absorber, respectively. The saturable absorbers were both prepared with the liquid phase exfoliation method. A shortest pulse width of 1.1 μ s was attained with the pulse repetition frequency of 41.6 kHz for the MoS2 saturable absorber, resulting in the highest peak power of 4.33 W. For the WS2 saturable absorber, a minimum pulse of 1.6 μs was gained with the pulse repetition frequency of 34.2 kHz and the calculated peak power of 4.13 W.

Plants uniquely have a family of proteins called extra-large G proteins (XLG) that share homology in their C-terminal half with the canonical Gα subunits; we carefully detail here that Arabidopsis XLG2 lacks critical residues requisite for nucleotide binding and hydrolysis which is consistent with our quantitative analyses. Based on microscale thermophoresis, Arabidopsis XLG2 binds GTPγS with an affinity 100 times lower than that to canonical Gα subunits. This means that given the concentration range of guanine nucleotide in plant cells, XLG2 is not likely bound by GTP in vivo. Homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations provide a plausible mechanism for the poor nucleotide binding affinity of XLG2. Simulations indicate substantially stronger salt bridge networks formed by several key amino-acid residues of AtGPA1 which are either misplaced or missing in XLG2. These residues in AtGPA1 not only maintain the overall shape and integrity of the apoprotein cavity but also increase the frequency of favorable nucleotide-protein interactions in the nucleotide-bound state. Despite this loss of nucleotide dependency, XLG2 binds the RGS domain of AtRGS1 with an affinity similar to the Arabidopsis AtGPA1 in its apo-state and about 2 times lower than AtGPA1 in its transition state. In addition, XLG2 binds the Gβγ dimer with an affinity similar to that of AtGPA1 XLG2 likely acts as a dominant negative Gα protein to block G protein signaling. We propose that XLG2, independent of guanine nucleotide binding, regulates the active state of the canonical G protein pathway directly by sequestering Gβγ and indirectly by promoting heterodimer formation.

This study describes a universal fluorometric method for sensitive detection of analytes by using aptamers. It is based on the use of graphene oxide (GO) and cryonase-assisted signal amplification. GO is a strong quencher of FAM-labeled nucleic acid probes, while cryonase digests all types of nucleic acid probes. This makes the platform widely applicable to analytes for which the corresponding aptamers are available. Theophylline and ATP were chosen as model analytes. In the absence of targets, dye-labeled aptamers are in a flexible single strand state and adsorb on the GO. As a result, the probes are non-fluorescent due to the efficient quenching of dyes by GO. Upon the addition of a specific target, the aptamer/target complex desorbed from the GO surface and the probe becomes fluorescent. The released complex will immediately become a substrate for cryonase digestion and subsequently releasing the target to bind to another aptamer to initiate the next round of cleavage. This cyclic reaction will repeat again and again until all the related-probes are consumed and all fluorophores light up, resulting in significant fluorescent signal amplification. The detection limits are 47 nM for theophylline and 22.5 nM for ATP. This is much better than that of known methods. The assay requires only mix-and-measure steps that can be accomplished rapidly. In our perception, the detection scheme holds great promise for the design enzyme-aided amplification mechanisms for use in bioanalytical methods.

This study describes a universal fluorometric method for sensitive detection of analytes by using aptamers. It is based on the use of graphene oxide (GO) and cryonase-assisted signal amplification. GO is a strong quencher of FAM-labeled nucleic acid probes, while cryonase digests all types of nucleic acid probes. This makes the platform widely applicable to analytes for which the corresponding aptamers are available. Theophylline and ATP were chosen as model analytes. In the absence of targets, dye-labeled aptamers are in a flexible single strand state and adsorb on the GO. As a result, the probes are non-fluorescent due to the efficient quenching of dyes by GO. Upon the addition of a specific target, the aptamer/target complex desorbed from the GO surface and the probe becomes fluorescent. The released complex will immediately become a substrate for cryonase digestion and subsequently releasing the target to bind to another aptamer to initiate the next round of cleavage. This cyclic reaction will repeat again and again until all the related-probes are consumed and all fluorophores light up, resulting in significant fluorescent signal amplification. The detection limits are 47 nM for theophylline and 22.5 nM for ATP. This is much better than that of known methods. The assay requires only mix-and-measure steps that can be accomplished rapidly. In our perception, the detection scheme holds great promise for the design enzyme-aided amplification mechanisms for use in bioanalytical methods. Graphical abstract A cryonase-assisted signal amplification (CASA) method has been developed by using graphene oxide (GO) conjugated with a fluorophore-labeled aptamer for fluorescence signal generation. It has a large scope because it may be applied to numerous analytes.

Lipid turnover in Schizochytrium supports a preferential degradation of saturated fatty acids and a reservation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. In this study, multiple omics were utilized at different cultivation stages of Schizochytrium sp. S31 to reveal the mechanism of lipid turnover. During the lipid turnover stage, palmitic acid content decreased from 41.18% to 21.33%, while docosahexaenoic acid content increased from 31.20% to 50.43%. The lipidomic analysis showed that the lipid turnover mainly happened to saturated triacylglycerol accompanying with an increased level of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylcholine. The transcriptomic result further indicated that the differential expression genes related to the fatty acid degradation pathway were significantly increased, and the formation of phospholipids from diacylglycerol was enhanced. Finally, genomic sequencing and genetic engineering proved that the characterized triacylglycerol lipase might participate in the preferential hydrolysis of saturated fatty acids during lipid turnover. These results would not only enrich the current knowledge regarding the lipid turnover phenomenon but also contribute to the production of high-quality single cell oil from microalgae.