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[Display omitted] • A method for enhancing Ti catalyzed ethylene chain transfer polymerization efficiency. • Using AlEt 3 and ZnEt 2 shows cooperative effects vs. using them separately. • Chain growth and transfer are simultaneously enhanced in ethylene polymerization. Developing olefin polymerization catalytic systems for both high activity and high chain transfer efficiency by using coordinative chain transfer polymerization (CCTP) is critical for the controlled synthesis of various novel high-value polyolefin materials. While the limited choice of chain transfer agents (CTAs) makes it a challenge to achieve highly efficient CCTP as well as chain propagation due to their competition during the polymerization. Here we report using the combination of R 3 Al and R 2 Zn in equal amount for tetradentate amine-bis(phenolate) Ti complex and tridentate ketoiminate Ti complex catalyzed ethylene polymerization and observed significantly enhanced CCTP catalytic performance in terms of activity, chains/cat, fill ratio, and k ct / k p vs. using R 3 Al as CTA. The role of R 3 Al and R 2 Zn during ethylene polymerization were probed by preliminary control experiments studies and a possible mechanistic scenario was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synergetic metal (Pt)-semiconductor (CdS) interaction on single-atomic Pt decorated CdS NPs for highly improved hydrogen production under simulated sunlight irradiation. [Display omitted] • Single-atomic Pt was decorated on CdS NPs via a simple light-induced reduction procedure. • Synergetic metal-semiconductor interaction was formed on this CdS-Pt nano-photocatalyst. • The body-to-surface electrons migration of CdS was boosted significantly. • High light-to-fuel conversion efficiency were achieved by this nano-photocatalyst. Solar driven water-to-hydrogen conversion is a promising technology for the typical sustainable production mode, so increasing efforts are being devoted to exploit high-performance photocatalytic materials. Cadmium sulfide (CdS) is widely used to prepare highly active photocatalysts owing to its merits of broadband-light harvesting and feasible band structure. However, the slow photo-carriersʹ migration in CdS body structure generally results in high-frequency carriers recombination, which leads to unsatisfied photoactivity. Metallic single-atom surface decoration is an effective method to build the strong metal-support interaction for promotion of photo-carriersʹ migration. Herein, a simple light-induced reduction procedure was proposed to decorate single-atomic Pt on the surface of CdS nanoparticles for highly photocatalytic HER activity. Research showed that the synergetic metal (Pt)-semiconductor (CdS) interaction significantly promoted the body-to-surface (BTS) photo-carriers' migration of CdS, thereby the high light-to-fuel conversion efficiency (AQY 500 nm = 25.70%) and 13.5-fold greater simulated sunlight driven HER rate of bare CdS was achieved by this CdS-Pt nano-photocatalyst. Based on the photo-electrochemical analysis and density functional theory calculations, the remarkably improved HER photoactivity can be attributed to the enhanced light-harvesting, promoted BTS electron migration and reduced reaction energy barriers. This study provides a facile procedure to obtain CdS based photocatalyst with metallic single-atom sites for high-performance HER photocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-atomic gold decorated CdS nanocatalyst for atom transfer radical addition of alkenes under blue-LED light. [Display omitted] • The Au SASs decorated CdS nanocatalyst was synthesized via a photoreduction strategy. • The host (CdS)-guest (Au) electron transfer mechanism was formed on this nanocatalyst. • ATRA reactions of alkenes can be achieved in high yields under blue-LED-induction. • The excellent selectivity is presented on this nanocatalyst. Atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) is commonly applied to introduce perfluoroalkyl groups into organic molecules, but it often suffers from harsh reaction condition, poor yield and expensive catalyst usage for practical application. Light-induced ATRA reaction is of great significance due to its merits of mild reaction condition and easy operation, but it is generally difficult to achieve high yield because of the lack of ideal photosensitizers. Herein, an Au single-atom sites (SASs) decorated hexagonal cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanocatalyst (Cat CdS-Au) was synthesized to catalyze ATRA reaction under mild blue-LED-induction. As a result, the synergetic effect of CdS-Au interaction enhanced the optical properties and promoted the host (CdS)-guest (Au) electron transfer, leading to high ATRA yields (88–98%) and excellent selectivity even choosing different alkene substrates, which is remarkably superior over existing reaction systems (60–90% yields) ever reported in literatures. The present work sheds light on realizing high ATRA reaction yield via a green and high-efficient synthetic strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we propose new deterministic and Monte Carlo interpolation algorithms for sparse multivariate polynomials represented by straight-line programs. Let f be an n -variate polynomial given by a straight-line program, which has a total degree bound D and a term bound T. Our deterministic algorithm is quadratic in n , T and cubic in log ⁡ D in the Soft-Oh sense, which has better complexities than existing deterministic interpolation algorithms in most cases. Our Monte Carlo interpolation algorithms have better complexities than existing Monte Carlo interpolation algorithms and are the first algorithms whose complexities are linear in nT and polynomial in log ⁡ D in the Soft-Oh sense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new fermented food by utilizing pineapple by-products and whey protein as the matrix via co-fermentation with strains of lactic acid bacteria and yeast is developed. We investigated its impact on human well-being, focusing on the bioavailability and physiological viability of the resulting pineapple–whey protein fermented product (PWF) under simulated human gastrointestinal conditions. We evaluated PWF's potential as a prebiotic using in vitro fermentation assays, revealing that its probiotic components effectively reached the colon and functioned without hindrance. This transit triggered significant release of phenolic compounds, establishing an antioxidant-rich environment during simulated digestion. In vitro fermentation experiments showcased PWF's capacity to induce short-chain fatty acid production in the intestines, alongside its ability to influence the microbial community composition. Additionally, we explored how PWF-induced alterations in the gut microbiota might impact human health. The results suggested that PWF could potentially enhance metabolic pathways in the intestinal microbiota, thereby fostering a more favorable microbial ecosystem. • The probiotics in pineapple–whey protein fermentation product could reach the colon. • The phenols and flavonoids in product were released during in vitro study. • The product could improve intestinal flora through in vitro digestive model. • The product could promote the production of short-chain fatty acids. • The product could promote the maintenance of a more favorable microbial ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, binomial difference ideals are studied. Three canonical representations for Laurent binomial difference ideals are given in terms of the reduced Gröbner basis of Z [ x ] -lattices, regular and coherent difference ascending chains, and partial characters on Z [ x ] -lattices, respectively. Criteria for a Laurent binomial difference ideal to be reflexive, prime, well-mixed, and perfect are given in terms of their support lattices. The reflexive, well-mixed, and perfect closures of a Laurent binomial difference ideal are shown to be binomial. Most of the properties of Laurent binomial difference ideals are extended to the case of binomial difference ideals. Finally, algorithms are given to check whether a given Laurent binomial difference ideal I is reflexive, prime, well-mixed, or perfect, and in the negative case, to compute the reflexive, well-mixed, and perfect closures of I . An algorithm is given to decompose a finitely generated perfect binomial difference ideal as the intersection of reflexive prime binomial difference ideals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six d 10 complexes, [Zn1.5(stp)(bpy)0.5(H2O)2]·0.5H2O (1), Cd1.5(stp)(bpy)0.5(H2O)2 (2), [Cd1.5(stp)(bpy)(H2O)]·H2O (3), [Zn0.5(bpy)0.5(H2O)2][Zn(stp)(bpy)(H2O)]·0.5H2O (4), Cd3(stp)2(bpy)3(H2O)3 (5), Hbpy·[Zn0.5(bpy)(H2O)2][Zn0.5(stp)(H2O)]·H2O (6) based on 2-sulfoterephthalate (stp3−) and 4,4′-bipyridine (bpy) have been synthesized under hydro/solvo-thermal conditions and structurally characterized. Complex 1 exhibits a three-fold interpenetrated 3D porous architecture. Complexes 2 and 3 possess helices with different chirality arranging alternately. 4 and 6 are addition compounds, which compose of complex cation and complex anion. Complex 5 features a 3D layer-pillar framework in which a (4, 4) grid layer is constructed by stp3− ligands and Cd(II) ions, and the layers are further connected by bpy pillars. The solid-state luminescent properties of the coordination polymers have also been investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, a generic intersection theorem in projective differential algebraic geometry is given. Then, the Chow form for an irreducible projective differential variety is defined and basic properties of the differential Chow form in affine differential case are shown to be valid for its projective differential counterpart. Finally, we apply the differential Chow form to a result of linear dependence over projective varieties given by Kolchin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, a linear univariate representation for the roots of a zero-dimensional polynomial equation system is presented, where the complex roots of the polynomial system are represented as linear combinations of the roots of several univariate polynomial equations. An algorithm is proposed to compute such a representation for a given zero-dimensional polynomial equation system based on Gröbner basis computation. The main advantage of this representation is that the precision of the roots of the system can be easily controlled. In fact, based on the linear univariate representation, we can give the exact precisions needed for isolating the roots of the univariate equations in order to obtain roots of the polynomial system with a given precision. As a consequence, a root isolating algorithm for a zero-dimensional polynomial equation system can be easily derived from its linear univariate representation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Efficient characteristic set methods for computing zeros of polynomial equation systems in a finite field are proposed. The concept of proper triangular sets is introduced and an explicit formula for the number of zeros of a proper and monic triangular set is given. An improved zero decomposition algorithm is proposed to reduce the zero set of an equation system to the union of zero sets of monic proper triangular sets. The bitsize complexity of this algorithm is shown to be for Boolean polynomials, where is the number of variables and is the number of equations. We also give a multiplication free characteristic set method for Boolean polynomials, where the sizes of the polynomials occurred during the computation do not exceed the sizes of the input polynomials and the bitsize complexity of algorithm is for input polynomials with variables and degree . The algorithms are implemented in the case of Boolean polynomials and extensive experiments show that they are quite efficient for solving certain classes of Boolean equations raising from stream ciphers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The preparation and application of overbased nanodetergents with excess alkaline calcium carbonate is a good example of nanotechnology in practice. The phase transformation of calcium carbonate is of extensive concern since CaCO3 serves both as an important industrial filling material and as the most abundant biomineral in nature. Industrially valuable overbased nanodetergents have been prepared based on calcium salts of heavy alkylbenzene sulfonate by a one-step process under ambient pressure, the carbonation reaction has been monitored by the instantaneous temperature changes and total base number (TBN). A number of analytical techniques such as TGA, DLS, SLS, TEM, FTIR, and XRD have been utilized to explore the carbonation reaction process and phase transformation mechanism of calcium carbonate. An enhanced understanding on the phase transformation of calcium carbonate involved in calcium sulfonate nanodetergents has been achieved and it has been unambiguously demonstrated that amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) transforms into the vaterite polymorph rather than calcite, which would be of crucial importance for the preparation and quality control of lubricant additives and greases. Our results also show that a certain amount of residual Ca(OH)2 prevents the phase transformation from ACC to crystalline polymorphs. Moreover, a vaterite nanodetergent has been prepared for the first time with low viscosity, high base number, and uniform particle size, nevertheless a notable improvement on its thermal stability is required for potential applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this research, hemagglutinating virus of Japan envelope (HVJ-E) was used to reprogram somatic cells by fusion with mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells. Neomycin-resistant mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were used as somatic cells. Nanog-overexpressing puromycin-resistant EB3 cells were used as mouse ES cells. These two cells were fused by exposing to HVJ-E and the generated fusion cells were selected by puromycin and G418 to get the stable fusion cell line. The fusion cells form colonies in feeder-free culture system. Microsatellite analysis of the fusion cells showed that they possessed genes from both ES cells and fibroblasts. The fusion cells were tetraploid, had alkali phosphatase activity, and expressed stem cell marker genes such as Pou5f1, Nanog, and Sox2, but not the fibroblast cell marker genes such as Col1a1 and Col1a2. The pluripotency of fusion cells was confirmed by their expression of marker genes for all the three germ layers after differentiation induction, and by their ability to form teratoma which contained all the three primary layers. Our results show that HVJ-E can be used as a fusion reagent for reprogramming of somatic cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we present an algorithm to decompose ordinary non-linear difference polynomials with rational functions as coefficients. The algorithm provides an effective reduction of the decomposition of difference polynomials to the decomposition of linear difference polynomials over the same coefficient field. The algorithm is implemented in Maple for the constant coefficient case. Experimental results show that the algorithm is quite effective and can be used to decompose difference polynomials with thousands of terms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We present a complete numerical algorithm for isolating all the real zeros of a zero-dimensional triangular polynomial system . Our system is general, with no further assumptions. In particular, our algorithm successfully treats multiple zeros directly in such systems. A key idea is to introduce evaluation bounds and sleeve bounds. We also present a much more efficient algorithm for zero-dimensional triangular systems without multiple roots. We implemented our algorithms, and promising experimental results are shown. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We prove several basic properties for difference ascending chains, including a necessary and sufficient condition for an ascending chain to be the characteristic set of its saturation ideal and a necessary and sufficient condition for an ascending chain to be the characteristic set of a reflexive prime ideal. Based on these properties, we propose an algorithm to decompose the zero set of a finite set of difference polynomials into the union of zero sets of certain ascending chains. This decomposition algorithm is implemented and used to solve the perfect ideal membership problem, and to prove certain difference identities automatically. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we generalize the results of Feng and Gao [Feng, R., Gao, X.S., 2006. A polynomial time algorithm to find rational general solutions of first order autonomous ODEs. J. Symbolic Comput., 41(7), 735–762] to the case of difference equations. We construct two classes of ordinary difference equations () whose solutions are exactly the univariate polynomial and rational functions respectively. On the basis of these and the difference characteristic set method, we give a criterion for an with any order and nonconstant coefficients to have a rational type general solution. For the first-order autonomous (constant coefficient) , we give a polynomial time algorithm for finding the polynomial solutions and an algorithm for finding the rational solutions for a given degree. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We give a necessary and sufficient condition for an algebraic ODE to have a rational type general solution. For a first order autonomous ODE , we give an exact degree bound for its rational solutions, based on the connection between rational solutions of and rational parametrizations of the plane algebraic curve defined by . For a first order autonomous ODE, we further give a polynomial time algorithm for computing a rational general solution if it exists based on the computation of Laurent series solutions and Padé approximants. Experimental results show that the algorithm is quite efficient. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, we propose algorithms for the following problems in the implicitization of a set of differential rational parametric equations P. (1) To find a characteristic set for the implicit prime ideal of P. (2) To find a canonical representation for the image of P. (3) To decide whether the parameters of P are independent, and if not, to re-parameterize P so that the new parametric equations have independent parameters. (4) To compute the inversion maps of P, and as a consequence, to decide whether P is proper. If the implicit variety is of dimension one and P is not proper, to find a proper re-parameterization for P. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)-based proteomics was employed to elucidate the pivotal role of endogenous enzymes in the quality deterioration of Mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) during refrigerated storage. Proclean 300 was used to inhibit the growth of psychrophilic microorganisms, emphasizing the contribution of endogenous enzymes. Quality characteristics, including pH, water-holding capacity, color, texture, and myofibrillar fragmentation index (MFI), were compared between the Proclean 300-treated group (P-group) and the control group (C-group). Correlation analysis underscored the collaborative role of calpain and cathepsin B in postmortem degradation. Pearson correlation analysis showed that texture characteristics were significantly negatively correlated with MFI and significantly positively correlated with whiteness and L∗ in the P-group. Differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) analysis identified 66 DEPs, with 40 exhibiting low abundance, including cytoskeleton proteins and hemoglobin subunits, and 26 showing high abundance, primarily metabolic enzymes. Bioinformatics analysis revealed significant enrichment of DEPs within the glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathway. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction analysis highlighted key proteins linked to the quality deterioration of Mandarin fish, including beta-enolase, phosphoglycerate kinase 1, and triosephosphate isomerase B. These findings offer valuable insights into the mechanisms behind the quality deterioration of refrigerated Mandarin fish and the intricate relationship with endogenous enzymes. [Display omitted] • The 5-day refrigeration of Mandarin fish was a critical factor for quality changes. • Endogenous enzyme-mediated proteolysis served as the primary biochemical process. • A total of 66 proteins were identified as DEPs in refrigerated Mandarin fish. • Glycolysis/gluconeogenesis as primary pathway in postmortem Mandarin fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Secondary metabolites of the endophytic Trichoderma koningiopsis QA-3 were studied. • Eight new and six known highly oxygenated bicyclic polyketides were identified. • The activities against human-, marine-, and plant-derived pathogens were evaluated. • 15-Hydroxy-1,4,5,6-tetra- epi -koninginin G inhibited aquatic Vibrio alginolyticus. Eight new highly oxygenated fungal polyketides, namely, 15-hydroxy-1,4,5,6-tetra- epi -koninginin G (1), 14-hydroxykoninginin E (2), koninginin U (3), 4′-hydroxykoninginin U (4), koninginin V (5), 14-ketokoninginin B (6), 14-hydroxykoninginin B (7), and 7- O -methylkoninginin B (8), together with six known related analogues (9 – 14), were isolated from Trichoderma koningiopsis QA-3, a fungus obtained from the inner root tissue of the well known medicinal plant Artemisia argyi. All these compounds are bicyclic polyketides, with compound 1 contains unusual hemiketal moiety at C-5 and compounds 2 – 14 having ketone group at C-1 and double bond at C-5(6). The structures and absolute configurations of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic analysis, X-ray crystal diffraction, modified Mosher's method, and ECD calculation. The absolute configurations of the known compounds 9 , 10 , and 12 were determined by X-ray crystal diffractions for the first time. The antimicrobial activities against human pathogen, marine-derived aquatic bacteria, and plant-pathogenic fungi of compounds 1 – 14 were evaluated, and compound 1 showed remarkable activity against aquatic pathogen Vibrio alginolyticus with MIC value 1 µg/mL, which is as active as that of the positive control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the observation that Q (p − 1) × (p − 1) is isomorphic to a quotient skew polynomial ring, we propose a new deterministic algorithm for (p − 1) × (p − 1) matrix multiplication over Q , where p is a prime number. The algorithm has complexity O (T ω − 2 p 2) , where T ≤ p − 1 is a parameter determined by the skew-polynomial-sparsity of input matrices and ω is the asymptotic exponent of matrix multiplication. Here a matrix is skew-polynomial-sparse if its corresponding skew polynomial is sparse. Moreover, by introducing randomness, we also propose a probabilistic algorithm with complexity O ∼ (t ω − 2 p 2 + p 2 log ⁡ 1 ν) , where t ≤ p − 1 is the skew-polynomial-sparsity of the product and ν is the probability parameter. The main feature of the algorithms is the acceleration for matrix multiplication if the input matrices or their products are skew-polynomial-sparse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water kefir, a traditional beverage highly valued by consumers, is known for its abundance of probiotics and a wide range of beneficial substances. However, the complex scientific challenges of understanding the interactions among the microbial community in this stable symbiotic drink have not been fully researched. This study aims to fill this gap by using non-targeted metabolomics methodologies, specifically UHPLC-QE-MS and GC-TOF-MS platforms, to explore the metabolomic landscape throughout the fermentation stages of water kefir. This research reveals important metabolic biomarkers, including N-acetyl- l -aspartic acid, β-alanine, and O-acetylserine. These biomarkers are involved in various metabolic pathways such as alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, as well as cysteine and methionine metabolism, during the fermentation process of water kefir. An important finding is the presence of a positive correlation between amino acids and organic acids within the correlation network. This indicates a synergistic relationship that promotes favorable interactions among these essential components. Furthermore, this study provides a detailed metabolic network depicting the process of water kefir fermentation. This network establishes a solid foundation for further exploration of the intricate metabolic mechanisms governing water kefir fermentation. • This study mapped the metabolic spectrum of water kefir fermentation. • Amino acids and organic acids served as the key marker metabolites during fermentation, exhibiting a positive correlation. • N-acetyl- l -aspartic acid, β-alanine, and O-acetylserine were crucial for understanding water kefir fermentation pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pu-erh tea's quality and price are inextricably intertwined with age, but false claims about production year can harm both consumers and producers. While tea quality is currently assessed subjectively by experts, developing a scientific method to determine storage time is crucial for the tea industry's growth and integrity. In the present study, analysis of Pu-erh tea (PT) with different storage times showed that the storage process enhanced the complexity of the metabolite networks of extracts and flocs, but the metabolic network characteristics of tea flocs did not exhibit significant changes with the progression of storage time. It is noteworthy that the 41 storage-related core metabolites are important to the storage process; the storage score based on these metabolites was related to the biochemical indicators of the extract and the storage time. Our findings were validated in another independent metabolic data set of green tea (GT), oolong tea (OT), Assam black tea (ABT) and PT. Finally, our regression model based on the storage score could accurately predict the storage time of different teas (R2 = 95.70%). Overall, the findings of our have important guiding significance for expanding the methods for predicting tea storage duration. • The Pu-erh tea storage process enhanced the complexity of the metabolite network. • Metabolite network analysis of Pu-erh tea identified 41 storage-related core metabolites. • Storage score model was established based on 41 storage-related core metabolites. • The storage score model could predict the storage time of tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the concept of sparse difference resultant for a Laurent transformally essential system of difference polynomials is introduced and a simple criterion for the existence of sparse difference resultant is given. The concept of transformally homogenous polynomial is introduced and the sparse difference resultant is proved to be transformally homogenous. It is shown that the vanishing of the sparse difference resultant gives a necessary condition for the corresponding difference polynomial system to have non-zero solutions. Order and degree bounds for the sparse difference resultant are given. Based on these bounds, an algorithm to compute the sparse difference resultant is proposed, which is single exponential in terms of the number of variables, the Jacobi number, and the size of the Laurent transformally essential system. Furthermore, the precise order and degree, a determinant representation, and a Poisson-type product formula for the difference resultant are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to understand whether podocyte injury is involved in proteinuria after rapid ascent to high altitude and to explore whether hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is involved in the adaptive regulation of this proteinuria. Rats in the experimental group were housed in a low-pressure oxygen chamber to simulate a high-altitude environment (5,000 m). The intervention group was placed under the same conditions as the experimental group and prolyl-hydroxylase inhibitor (PHI) was intraperitoneally injected. The control group was housed in a low altitude environment (500 m). On days 0, 7, 14, and 28, urinary albumin quantification and electrophoresis were performed. The expression levels of CD2-associated protein (CD2AP), nephrin and HIF-1α were detected by immunofluorescence. The medium and large molecule proteins with molecular weights ranging from 63 to 75 kD were present in the urine of rats in the experimental group and that the urinary albumin levels first increased and then decreased with time and the increase on day 14 was most significant (24.58 ± 4.30 mg on day 14 VS 5.13 ± 1.58 mg on day 0). Electron microscopy revealed podocyte lesions in rats in the experimental group. Immunofluorescence results showed that the protein expression levels of CD2AP and nephrin in the glomeruli of rats in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.001) and that the expression levels of which in the intervention group were higher than those in the experimental group (P < 0.001). The expression of HIF-1α protein in the renal tissues of rats in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (P < 0.001) and lower than that in the intervention group (P < 0.001). The podocyte injury may be involved in the occurrence of proteinuria after rapid ascent to high altitude. PHI may have a potential role in reducing proteinuria by upregulating local HIF-1α expression in the kidney to alleviate podocyte injury. • We observed the effect of simulated 5000 m altitude environment on rat kidney. • The podocyte injury may be involved in high altitude proteinuria. • HIF-1α may be involved in the adaptive regulation of this proteinuria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lysozyme is a very important component of the innate immune system and a key molecule that protects against bacterial infection. Sea cucumber i-type lysozyme (Aj-iLys) has been shown to possess multiple functions. In this study, we investigated the function and characterization of Aj-iLys in detail. Spatial distribution analysis showed that Aj-iLys was constitutively expressed in all tested tissues, with dominant expression in the tentacles and respiratory trees. Challenge with the pathogen V. splendidus and LPS stimulation both significantly up-regulated the mRNA expression of Aj-iLys. More importantly, inhibition of Aj-iLys expression by mRNA interference resulted in significant promotion of coelomocyte apoptosis during LPS challenge in vitro . The results indicated that Aj-iLys serves as an important innate immunity factor and plays a key defense role during host-pathogen interactions in sea cucumbers. From the radius of the antimicrobial zone, it was determined that the non-fusion Aj-iLys exerted a remarkable inhibitive effect on tested bacteria in vitro . Functional investigation revealed that Aj-iLys also exhibited isopeptidase activity based on its ability to hydrolyze l -Glutamic acid γ-(4-nitroanilide) in vitro to produce p-NA, which is an analogue of the isopeptide bond. The optimal catalytic conditions for the isopeptidase activity were 37 °C, pH 6.5, and the optimum ionic strength was about 0.050 mol/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resonance can be avoided by preventing the structural natural frequencies from falling within the operating frequency range. However, structural natural frequencies are influenced by uncertain parameters, such as material properties and geometric sizes. Therefore, it is essential to consider these uncertainties during the conceptual design phase. To address this problem, a novel reliability-based eigenvalue topology optimization model under frequency-band constraints is established, in which the uncertainties of the material properties and structural size are considered. Owing to the high computational costs of dealing with frequency-band reliability constraints, a frequency-band constraint shifting method (FBCSM) is proposed to ease the heavy computational burden without sacrificing accuracy. In addition, the sensitivities of simple and multiple eigenfrequencies with respect to the design and random variables are derived. The "bound formulation" and "robust formulation" are used to reduce the gray elements and checkerboard phenomenon. Four examples are used to determine the effectiveness of the proposed reliability-based eigenvalue topology model and FBCSM. The results confirmed their superiority in terms of validity and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salinization of groundwater is a major challenge for groundwater management in long-term irrigation areas, decoupling its complex influencing factors can provide insights for the sustainable development of irrigation areas. In this study, the natural-human driving factors of groundwater salinization in the Yinchuan Plain, a typical irrigated area, were identified using isotope analysis, information entropy, and self-organizing map. Results show that groundwater in the study area is seriously salinized with obvious spatial heterogeneity. Multiple natural conditions and frequent human activities complicate the salinization characteristics of groundwater. On this basis, four typical natural influence units of groundwater were identified, namely, an evaporation and upward leakage zone, a runoff zone, an evaporation zone, and a runoff and upward leakage zone. Information entropy was proposed to quantify the complexity of groundwater resulting from human activities: The complexity difference between densely populated areas and natural dominant areas is mainly reflected in Na+, SO 4 2−, and Cl−. Multiple human-made drivers of complex water environment were further separated into three patterns by the SOM model: blockage-evaporation type, leakage-evaporation type, and irrigation type. The blockage of drainage ditches and obstruction of salt discharge has the highest impact on the salinization of groundwater, followed by irrigation activities and transportation losses. Water excessive stagnation caused by blockage or irrigation is the root cause of groundwater salinization in the irrigated area, and its impact is greater than that of the traditional understanding of groundwater level rise. Based on the evaluation of irrigation water quality, management initiatives for irrigated areas should prioritize dredging and maintaining a healthy soil and groundwater environment in tandem. [Display omitted] • Information entropy was proposed to quantify the complexity of groundwater. • The natural and human factor to groundwater salinization (GS) was distinguished. • Human driving factors of GS: blockage-evaporation > irrigation > leakage-evaporation. • Water stagnation is root cause of GS rather than groundwater level rise. • Human activities are driver of GS, natural factors are main influencing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of dietary addition of yeast Rhodotorula benthica ( R. benthica ) D30 which isolated from local sea mud at levels of 0 (control), 10 5 , 10 6 and 10 7 CFU/g feed on the growth performance, digestive enzyme activity, immunity and disease resistance of juvenile sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus were investigated. It was shown that dietary addition of R. benthica D30 significantly increased the growth rates of sea cucumbers ( p < 0.05). The amylase activity, cellulase activity and alginase activity were increased for the animals from three probiotics treated groups. And with the supplemented concentration increased, the values of those digestive enzyme activities increased as well. Dietary addition of R. benthica D30 at the level of 10 7 CFU significantly increased the lysozyme, phagocytic and total nitric oxide synthase activity of A. japonicus ( p < 0.05). While, the highest values of the phenoloxidase and alkaline phosphatase activity were found in sea cucumbers fed with R. benthica D30 at the level of 10 6 CFU. Whereas adding R. benthica D30 to diet had no significant effects on the total coelomocyte counts and acid phosphatase activity of A. japonicus ( p > 0.05). It was observed that adding R. benthica D30 could significantly decrease the cumulative mortality of sea cucumbers. The present study demonstrated that dietary addition of R. benthica D30 could increase growth performance and some digestive enzyme activities, improve immunity and disease resistance of A. japonicus . And the medium (10 6 CFU) and high (10 7 CFU) additional levels showed better effects. It suggests that yeast R. benthica D30 could be a good probiotic for aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]