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August Wilson's "Two Trains Running" tells the life predicaments of the patrons at Memphis' restaurant in the 1960s. Though Wilson avoids addressing the interracial conflicts and movements on stage to eschew protesting and propaganda, they as social background could not be totally ignored in the play. The paper analyses Wilson's use of symbolic characters, off-stage space and storytelling to show how the playwright implies his assessment of the black political movements and of the political awareness of common blacks in 1960s.

Sorghum is not only an important bio-energy crop but also a vital raw material for brewing. Exogenous copper affects the growth and metabolism of crops in specific ways. This study identified 8475 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by high-throughput transcriptome sequencing in the sorghum cultivar 'Jinnuoliang 2' after 24 h of treatment with 10 mM CuSO. Using GO analysis, 476 genes were functionally annotated, which were mainly related to catabolism and biosynthetic processes. Additionally, 90 pathways were annotated by employing the KEGG analysis. Among them, glutathione metabolism and peroxisome were induced, while photosynthesis, photosynthesis-antenna protein, and carbon sequestration of photosynthetic organisms were inhibited. Of the DEGs, 399 were identified to encode transcription factors belonging to 49 families. This study also identified a WRKY transcription factor-encoding gene SbWRKY24 from the transcriptome data. For studying its function, the relative expression levels of SbWRKY24 in roots and leaves post-treatment with different growth hormones and exposure to a variety of abiotic stresses were detected by RT-qPCR. SbWRKY24 showed treatment-and tissue-specific expression patterns, indicating its unique role in stress tolerance. This study lays a theoretical basis for the functional exploration of SbWRKY24 , elucidating the mechanism of copper resistance, and elaborating on the stress responses in sorghum. It also guides the exploration of the molecular mechanism of copper ions inducing intracellular signal transduction pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new coordination polymers, including 1D, 2D and 3D structures, were synthesized via a hydrothermal method using Cd2+/Zn2+/Cu2+ metal salts as nodes. These polymers were formed through self‐assembly of four different dicarboxylic acid ligands, namely adamantane‐1,3‐dicarboxylic acid (H2adc), glutaric acid (H2glu), 5‐hydroxyisophthalic acid (H2hip) and fumaric acid (H2fum), in conjunction with the auxiliary ligand [1,4‐bis(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)piperazine (bpmp). The corresponding formulae are [Cd3(adc)2(bpmp)Cl2(H2O)2]n (1), {[Cd2(glu)2(bpmp)2(H2O)2]·8H2O·2CH3OH}n (2), [Zn(hip)(bpmp)(H2O)]n (3) and [Cu(fum)(bpmp)(H2O)2]n (4). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies revealed that the Cd2+ centers in complex 1 all adopt a six‐coordinate mode but two distinct {CdO2N2Cl2} and {CuO5Cl} units. The 3D network of complex 1 can be simplified to a binodal (4.6)‐connected underlying net with the point symbol (3·42·5·62)4(32·62·72·88·10). Each Cd2+ cation in complex 2 adopts a seven‐coordinate {CdO5N2} center, forming an asymmetric pentagonal bipyramidal coordination. Its stacking structure is formed by the interaction of hydrogen bonds between 2D supramolecular layers, with the adjacent layers exhibiting mirror symmetry. Each Zn2+ ion in complex 3 displays a {ZnO3N} four‐coordinate unit. Its stacking structure is formed by one‐dimensional [Zn(hip)(bpmp)(H2O)]n chains connected through hydrogen bonds. On the other hand, complex 4 features a Jahn–Teller distorted {CuO4N2} octahedral coordination. Subsequently, the thermal stability of these complexes was investigated. The solid‐state fluorescence spectroscopy was employed to analyze complexes 1, 2 and 3. Additionally, a Hirshfeld surface analysis was performed on complex 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, three new coordination polymers (CPs), namely {Ni (4,4′-abpt)(2,5-fdca)H2O]n (1), [Co(4,4′-abpt)(2,5-fdca)H2O]n (2) and [Co(4,4′-abpt)(1,3-abc)]n (3) {4,4′-abpt = 3,5-di-4-pyridinyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine, 2,5-fdca2− (the fully deprotonated forms of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid), 1,3-abc2− (the fully deprotonated forms of 1,3-adamantanedicarboxylic acid)} were synthesized under solvothermal conditions and were characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, and single crystal X-ray diffraction (1 and 3) techniques. Structural analyses revealed that 1 is a two-dimensional structure with quadrilateral holes, while 3 is a two-dimensional rhombus network configuration with a binuclear metal center. Three as-prepared compounds exhibited efficient photocatalytic performance for the degradation of organic dyes of crystal violet (CV), methylene blue (MB), and rhodamine B (Rh-B) under UV irradiation, among which, 1 exhibited the best photocatalytic activity with a percentage degradation of more than 96% for the three dyes in 30 min. In addition, in the free radical capture experiment involving 3, it was found that both, the hydroxyl radical OH˙ and superoxide radical (˙O2−) were involved in the degradation process of dyes, among which, the OH˙ radical is the main species to trigger the photocatalytic degradation experiment. Finally, the electrocatalytic performance of the catalysts was investigated in 1 M alkaline KOH solution, and the results showed that all three catalysts had certain electrocatalytic performance, and the catalytic performance of 1 was slightly better than that of 2 and 3. It exhibited a low overpotential of 367 mV at a current density of mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel two-dimensional Co-MOF material {[Co(dptz)2(oba)2]·(DMF)2}n is prepared using mixed organic ligands, which exhibits both OER (oxygen evolution reaction) and HER (hydrogen evolution reaction) catalytic performance. The integration of an Fe dopant and amorphous interface into Co-MOF to improving the electrocatalytic performance of pristine MOFs (metal–organic frameworks) is demonstrated and the origin of the remarkable electrocatalytic performance of the catalyst is elucidated. The comprehensive characterization data of Fe@Co-MOFs illustrate that there is a crystallinity transition during the doping of Co-MOF, which increases the electron transfer rate of the material and ensures increased exposure of the ligand unsaturated active site on the surface, and modulates the electronic structure of the Co center in a synergistic manner. As a result, the optimized catalytic Fe@Co-MOF-3 with an amorphous structure exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic performance for the OER, with only 248 mV at a current density of 50 mA cm−2 and excellent stability after 11 h of testing in alkaline solution. Not only that, the HER was achieved with a low overpotential of 150 mV at 10 mA cm−2. The present work indicates that the as-synthesized Co-MOF and Fe@Co-MOFs offer prospects in developing electrocatalysts for water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new metal–organic coordination polymers, {[Co2(TDC)2(H-3,3′-pytz)2(μ2-OH)]·4DMF}n (1), [Mn5(NDC)4(3,3′-pytz)(DMF)4(μ3-OH)2]n (2), [Co5(NDC)4(3,3′-pytz)(DMF)4(μ3-OH)2]n (3). (3,3′-pytz = 3,6-bis(3-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine; H-3,3′-pytz = protonated 3,6-bis(3-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine; H2TDC = 2,5-Thiophenedicarboxylic acid; H2NDC = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid) were synthesized under hydro-/solvothermal conditions and characterized by techniques of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, elemental analysis, infrared spectra (IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The resulting analyses demonstrate that complex 1 displays a rare 3D 8-connected bcu framework with the point symbol of {424·64} based on dinuclear [Co2(μ2-OH)(COO)4] cluster, while complex 2 and 3 possessed a rare 3D 10-connected pentanuclear-cluster-based ile{36·434·53·62}framework. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data show that the complex 1, 2 and 3 exhibit antiferromagnetic interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Tetrahydropiperine is one of the natural arylpentanamide compounds isolated from Piper nigrum L., which has been demonstrated to have insecticidal activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the metabolic profiles of tetrahydropiperine in mouse, rat, dog, monkey and human hepatocytes. Methods: The in vitro metabolism of tetrahydropiperine was elucidated via incubation with hepatocytes for 2 h at 37°C. The samples were analyzed using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography combined with diode‐array detection and high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry operated in positive electrospray ionization mode. The structures of the metabolites were characterized using their retention times and their tandem mass spectrometric product ions. Results: A total of 20 metabolites were detected and their structures were proposed. These metabolites were formed mainly through the following pathways: (1) 1,3‐benzodioxole ring opening to form a catechol derivative (M12), which was prone to glucuronidation (M6 and M8), methylation (M17) and glutathione (GSH)‐derived conjugation through an ortho‐quinone intermediate (M4) or via an aldehyde intermediate (M7); (2) dehydrogenation to form a piperanine (M15), which was subsequently subject to hydroxylation (M2 and M5) and GSH conjugation (M10 and M11) via Michael addition; (3) hydroxylation (M13, M14, M16, M18 and M19); and (4) direct GSH conjugation through an aldehyde intermediate (M3). Conclusions: The major metabolic pathways of tetrahydropiperine were hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, methylation, GSH conjugation and glucuronidation. Tetrahydropiperine was bioactivated through ortho‐quinone, Michael receptor and aldehyde intermediates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Letter presents a methodology, which contains resistive‐reactive series of continuous inverse modes (Res.‐Rea. SCIMs), for the second octave power amplifier (PA) design. The bandwidth was extended by multiplying the current waveform of SCIMs with a cosine factor. The measurement of the proposed Res.‐Rea. SCIMs PA showed 67–78.8% drain efficiency and ∼10 W output power across a band of 0.5–2 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WLY-0, as an α -D-glucan with a molecular weight (Mw) of 11.12 kDa, was successfully isolated and purified from Huangshui (HS). The results of methylation and NMR indicated that the mainchain of WLY-0 was (1 → 4)- α -D-glucan, with side chains linking at O-6. Meanwhile, the surface morphology characterization showed that WLY-0 had an irregular flake-like morphology with a rough and uneven surface and varies in sizes from nanometers to microns. Furthermore, WLY-0 relieved the increased paracellular permeability of FD4 and decreased TEER challenged by LPS, meanwhile inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF- α , IL-6, and IL-1 β) and up-regulated the expression of TJ protein (Occludin, Claudin-1, ZO-1, and JAM-A) in Caco-2 cells, so to improve the intestinal barrier function. Our findings about the structural characteristics and biological activities of WLY-0 provided a scientific foundation for the utilization of HS as a potent source of an effective adjuvant in intestinal barrier injury treatment. [Display omitted] • A polysaccharide WLY-0 extracted from Huangshui , was identified as a α -D-glucan. • WLY-0 contains (1 → 4)- α -D-glucan in backbone, with side chains linking at O-6. • WLY-0 had an irregular flake-like morphology with a rough and uneven surface. • WLY-0 reversed LPS induced low TEER value and high FITC-dextran flux. • WLY-0 showed obvious intestinal barrier protective effect in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu and Mn co-doped LiNbO 3 films were deposited on Si (111) substrates by rf-magnetron sputtering. XRD shows a randomly oriented polycrystalline R3C structure of LiNbO 3 was formed in the films annealed at 1000 °C for 1 h in air. XPS and XAFS determine that Mn 2+ substitutes on the Li site with a Li vacancy and Cu 2+ substitutes on the Nb site with an oxygen vacancy in the LiNbO 3 lattice. SQUID measurements indicate that all the films exhibit room temperature ferromagnetism, attributed to a strong d–d electron interaction between Mn and Nb and the bound magnetic polarons resulting from the oxygen vacancies. The saturated magnetization increases but the atom magnetic moment decreases with increasing Cu content in the films. The drop of the atom magnetic moment may arise from the antiferromagnetic coupling among adjacent Cu ions and an antiparallel configuration between Cu 2+ ions and their trapped electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new coordination polymers, including 1D, 2D and 3D structures, were synthesized via a hydrothermal method using Cd 2+ /Zn 2+ /Cu 2+ metal salts as nodes. These polymers were formed through self-assembly of four different dicarboxylic acid ligands, namely adamantane-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (H 2 adc), glutaric acid (H 2 glu), 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (H 2 hip) and fumaric acid (H 2 fum), in conjunction with the auxiliary ligand [1,4-bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)piperazine (bpmp). The corresponding formulae are [Cd 3 (adc) 2 (bpmp)Cl 2 (H 2 O) 2 ] n (1), {[Cd 2 (glu) 2 (bpmp) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ]·8H 2 O·2CH 3 OH} n (2), [Zn(hip)(bpmp)(H 2 O)] n (3) and [Cu(fum)(bpmp)(H 2 O) 2 ] n (4). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the Cd 2+ centers in complex 1 all adopt a six-coordinate mode but two distinct {CdO 2 N 2 Cl 2 } and {CuO 5 Cl} units. The 3D network of complex 1 can be simplified to a binodal (4.6)-connected underlying net with the point symbol (3·4 2 ·5·6 2 ) 4 (3 2 ·6 2 ·7 2 ·8 8 ·10). Each Cd 2+ cation in complex 2 adopts a seven-coordinate {CdO 5 N 2 } center, forming an asymmetric pentagonal bipyramidal coordination. Its stacking structure is formed by the interaction of hydrogen bonds between 2D supramolecular layers, with the adjacent layers exhibiting mirror symmetry. Each Zn 2+ ion in complex 3 displays a {ZnO 3 N} four-coordinate unit. Its stacking structure is formed by one-dimensional [Zn(hip)(bpmp)(H 2 O)] n chains connected through hydrogen bonds. On the other hand, complex 4 features a Jahn-Teller distorted {CuO 4 N 2 } octahedral coordination. Subsequently, the thermal stability of these complexes was investigated. The solid-state fluorescence spectroscopy was employed to analyze complexes 1, 2 and 3. Additionally, a Hirshfeld surface analysis was performed on complex 3.

A novel two-dimensional Co-MOF material {[Co(dptz) 2 (oba) 2 ]·(DMF) 2 } n is prepared using mixed organic ligands, which exhibits both OER (oxygen evolution reaction) and HER (hydrogen evolution reaction) catalytic performance. The integration of an Fe dopant and amorphous interface into Co-MOF to improving the electrocatalytic performance of pristine MOFs (metal-organic frameworks) is demonstrated and the origin of the remarkable electrocatalytic performance of the catalyst is elucidated. The comprehensive characterization data of Fe@Co-MOFs illustrate that there is a crystallinity transition during the doping of Co-MOF, which increases the electron transfer rate of the material and ensures increased exposure of the ligand unsaturated active site on the surface, and modulates the electronic structure of the Co center in a synergistic manner. As a result, the optimized catalytic Fe@Co-MOF-3 with an amorphous structure exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic performance for the OER, with only 248 mV at a current density of 50 mA cm -2 and excellent stability after 11 h of testing in alkaline solution. Not only that, the HER was achieved with a low overpotential of 150 mV at 10 mA cm -2 . The present work indicates that the as-synthesized Co-MOF and Fe@Co-MOFs offer prospects in developing electrocatalysts for water splitting.

Aim: The aim is to evaluate serum cysteine-rich protein 61 (Cyr61) levels in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD)., Patients & Methods: Serum Cyr61 levels were measured in 180 patients with CAD and 74 participants without CAD., Results: Serum Cyr61 levels were significantly higher in CAD patients. Patients with acute coronary syndrome showed significantly higher Cyr61 than those with stable angina pectoris. Serum Cyr61 levels in complex lesion group were significantly higher. Serum Cyr61 was positively correlated with Gensini score and C-reactive protein. Multivariable logistic regression analyses demonstrated that serum Cyr61 levels were independently correlated with the existence of CAD (p = 0.01)., Conclusion: Our study suggested Cyr61 as a potential biomarker in characterizing CAD and therapeutic target for CAD.