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Breast milk, as the most ideal food for infants, contains the main nutrients to meet the growth and development of infants. Lactose is an essential energy source in breast milk, the concentration of which varies based on a variety of circumstances, including maternal diet and lactation stage. Studies demonstrated that lactose content could affect the development of the brain and gut immunity of infants. We integrated the enzyme cascade reaction with colorimetry, and then established a data-prediction model utilizing multi-point absorbance analysis and a back-propagation (BP) neural network. Lactose underwent an enzymatic cascade to generate H 2 O 2, which oxidized the chromatic substrate 3,3′5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). Absorbance at several time intervals and wavelengths was measured. Different from the traditional end-point detection methods and their single input data model, the absorbance data were detected at various time points and then fitted by BP neural network in this research. The detection of lactose in breast milk showed an average recovery rate of 99.14%. Meanwhile, our strategy is time-efficient and required no complex sample preparation processes. The robust nonlinear mapping and high fault tolerance of the BP neural network significantly enhances the stability and precision of the colorimetric analysis. Overall, this approach may be used for low-cost, convenient, and accurate lactose quantification in breast milk. [Display omitted] • A convenient, fast and low-cost method for the detection of lactose in breast milk. • Novel combined dynamic detection with multi-input nature of BP neural networks. • This study model had a better predicted performance of lactose concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We provide another framework of iterative algorithms based on thresholding, feedback and null space tuning for sparse signal recovery arising in sparse representations and compressed sensing. Several thresholding algorithms with various feedbacks are derived. Convergence results are also provided. The core algorithm is shown to converge in finitely many steps under a (preconditioned) restricted isometry condition. The algorithms are seen as exceedingly effective and fast, particularly for large scale problems. Numerical studies about the effectiveness and the speed of the algorithms are also presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The novel lateral control paradigm for autonomous heavy vehicle is highlighted. • Adaptive state estimator can improve estimation adaptivity against system uncertain. • Comprehensive performance of automatic lane guidance control system can be improved. • Simulation and HIL results validate the robustness of the proposed control strategy. Structured and unstructured uncertainties coupled with external disturbances usually pose considerable challenges in realizing heavy vehicle automatic lane guidance control. This paper presents a novel solution paradigm for the lateral control of autonomous heavy vehicle. The proposed control framework consists of an adaptive state estimator and a finite-time optimized ℋ ∞ state feedback regulator. Firstly, based on the dual extended Kalman filter (DEKF) technique, which can estimate model time-varying parameters and unknown states at the same time, the adaptive state estimation algorithm is proposed and investigated to improve state estimation adaptivity against uncertain time-varying general front/rear axle cornering stiffnesses. Then, using zero-sum dynamic game theory as the general framework, we analyze the minimax controller design problem and introduce the finite-time optimized robust regulator design method. The autonomous heavy vehicle automatic lane guidance controller is designed in the framework of robust optimal state feedback control to make it robust against external disturbance. Finally, results of various driving scenarios from both simulation and hardware-in-loop (HIL) implementation show that the proposed finite-time optimized robust and adaptive state estimation control paradigm can robustly obtain satisfactory automated lateral control performance for heavy vehicle when the control system is characterized by both time-varying model parameters and uncertain external energy-bounded disturbance. A comparative study is also conducted to investigate cases to show its effectiveness when the adaptive state estimation is used and when it is not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] The huge Li ion transport resistance through the grain boundaries (GBs) among rigid oxide particles forces the adoption of high-temperature sintering (HTS) process over 1000 °C. Nevertheless, the severe side reactions and uncontrollable lithium loss are always companied during the high-cost HTS process, which slows down the pace of oxide solid electrolyte (OSE) for practical application and accelerates the exploration of a new OSE sintering process. Herein, a near-room-temperature (60 °C) cold-sintering process is proposed by filling the GBs with a low-melting-point plastic crystal electrolyte (PCE). Due to the soft property and high-ionic conductivity of PCE, the Li ion transport rate through the GBs is 10 times faster than the bulk phase, endowing the OSE (Li 1.5 Al 0.5 Ge 1.5 (PO 4) 3 chosen as a representative) with a room temperature ionic conductivity of 0.25 mS cm−1. As proof of the concept, the assembled Li symmetrical cells perform a low over-potential of 50 mV with a capacity of 1 mA h cm−2 and full cells delivers a capacity retention of roughly 70% after 820 cycles (1.5 years) at 0.1C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Boosting the energy density and safety issue of lithium-ion batteries has become ever more important to satisfy the diverse applications such as energy storage and mobile electronic devices. Herein, we present a new high voltage polyether-based electrolyte (HVPEE) by solvation structure design that can endure high-voltage operations and also possess non-flammable features. Especially, HVPEEs show better compatibility and stability with electrode than conventional electrolyte. We find that the solvent separated ion pair (SSIP) and contact ion pair (CIP) dominate the ion–solvent structure of HVPEEs, rather than the free solvent and ions. In this way, the oxidative decomposition of HVPEE on the cathode interface can be suppressed significantly due to the reduced highest occupied molecular orbital of SSIP complex structure than that of free TFSI-. As a result, the oxidation voltage can achieve as high as 5.35 V when the ether group/Li is optimized at 10/1 in the HVPEE, enabling the LiFePO 4 //Li full cells deliver a capacity of 165 mA h g−1 with a capacity retention of 98 % after 200 cycles. Moreover, when the cut-off voltage is 4.5 V, the discharge capacity of the LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 //Li full cell can reach 170 mA h g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Solid-state polymer electrolytes are outstanding candidates for next-generation lithium metal batteries in the realm of high specific energy densities, high safeties and tight contact with electrodes. However, their applications are still hindered by the limitations that no single polymer is electrochemically stable with the oxidizing high-voltage cathode and the highly reductive Li anode, simultaneously. Herein, a bilayer asymmetric polymer electrolyte (SL-SPE) without accessional interface resistance that using poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) as a "bridge" to connect the sulfonyl (O S = O)-contained oxidation-tolerated layer and polyether-derived reduction-tolerated layer (SPE), is proposed and synthesized by sequential two-step UV polymerizations. SL-SPE can provide widened electrochemical stability window up to 5 V, while simultaneously deploying a stable Janus interface property. Eventually, the superior high-voltage (4.4 V) cycling durability can be displayed in LiNi 0.6 Co 0.2 Mn 0.2 O 2 |SL-SPE|Li batteries. This finding provides a bran-new idea for designing multifunctional polymer electrolytes in the application of solid-state batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) is one of the most attractive electrolyte materials for solid-state batteries due to its high ionic conductivity, however, the battery performance is limited by the high electrolyte–electrode interfacial resistance. Herein, PVDF polymer mixed with ceramic Li 7 La 3 Zr 2 O 12 is coated on cellulose support membrane (PLCSM) through a simple slurry-casting method. The ionic transport of PLCSM is originated from dimethyl formamide (DMF)-Li+ solvation structure, which plays a critical role in conducting lithium ions. β-PVDF after dehydrofluorination offers a high dielectric constant and enhances the dissociation of lithium salt. As a result, PLCSM with a total thickness of 85 µm presents an oxidation voltage of 4.9 V. Li-Li symmetric cells by employing PLCSM reveal that the critical current density (CCD) is increased to 1 mA cm−2. A full cell of LiFePO 4 |PLCSM |Li with high mass loading (1.2 mA h cm−2) shows a first-cycle discharge capacity of 160 mA h g−1. With LiNi 0.6 Mn 0.2 Co 0.2 O 2 as the cathode, the initial discharge capacity is 153 mA h g−1, and the capacity retention after 80 cycles is 80 %. The sandwiched PLCSM provides an effective strategy to achieve high-performance dendrite-free Li metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mammals, nemo-like kinase 2 (NLK2) is a conservative protein kinase involved in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and immune response. However, the role of NLK2 in immune response in teleost remain unclear. In this study, we identified an ortholog of mammalian NLK from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) named CiNLK2. CiNLK2 shares a high level of homology with the counterparts, especially with that of Cyprinus carpio. CiNLK2 was ubiquitously expressed in all tested tissues (liver, brain, spleen, gill, kidney and eye) and its expression was up-regulated under the treatment with poly I:C or GCRV. Overexpression of CiNLK2 suppressed the production of IFN I in CIK cells whether or not treated with poly I:C. However, knockdown of CiNLK2 increased the expression level of IFN I. The analysis of subcellular localization showed that CiNLK2 protein was scattered throughout the cytoplasm and nucleus. In terms of mechanism, CiNLK2 can directly interact with MAVS and inhibit MAVS-induced IFN I response. Moreover, CiNLK2 increased the phosphorylation level of MAVS, which led to the degradation of MAVS protein. On the other hand, CiNLK2 suppressed the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of IRF3. In general, CiNLK2 served as an inhibitor for IFN I response by targeting MAVS-IRF3 signal axis. • Poly I:C or GCRV stimulation increases the mRNA level of CiNLK2. • CiNLK2 phosphorylates MAVS and promotes its degradation. • CiNLK2 serves as an inhibitor for IFN I response by targeting MAVS-IRF3 signal axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A quasi-solid-state Li-Te battery was developed using a flexible gel polymer electrolyte and Te/C cathode. [Display omitted] A quasi-solid-state Li-Te battery is developed by using a flexible gel polymer electrolyte (GPE), porous carbon/tellurium cathode, and lithium metal anode. The ionic conductivity of GPE is controllable and reaches up to 8.0 × 10−4 S cm−1 at 25 °C. The good interfacial contact with Li metal ensures excellent cycling stability in Li/GPE/Li symmetric cells. Moreover, it is found that, compared to S and Se counterparts, the Li-Te battery exhibits good rate capability due to the high electrical conductivity of Te and excellent interfacial stability among GPE, Li, and Te. This work provides several facile strategies to develop safe and high-performance solid-state Li-Te batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, three hydrosoluble azocalix[4]arene derivatives, 5-( o -methylphenylazo)-25,26,27-tris(carboxymethoxy)-28-hydroxycalix[4]arene ( o- MAC-Calix), 5-( m -methylphenylazo)-25,26,27-tris(carboxymethoxy)-28-hydroxycalix[4]arene ( m -MAC-Calix) and 5-( p -methylphenylazo)-25,26,27-tris(carboxymethoxy)-28-hydroxycalix[4]arene ( p -MAC-Calix) were synthesized. Their structures were characterized by infrared spectrum (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum ( 1 H NMR and 13 C NMR) and mass spectrum (MS). The interactions between these compounds and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied by fluorescence spectroscopy, UV–vis spectrophotometry and circular dichroic spectroscopy. According to experimental results, three azocalix[4]arene derivatives can efficiently bind to BSA molecules and the o -MAC-Calix displays more efficient interactions with BSA molecules than m -MAC-Calix and p -MAC-Calix. Molecular docking showed that the o -MAC-Calix was embedded in the hydrophobic cavity of helical structure of BSA molecular and the tryptophan (Trp) residue of BSA molecular had strong interaction with o -MAC-Calix. The fluorescence quenching of BSA caused by azocalix[4]arene derivatives is attributed to the static quenching process. In addition, the synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy indicates that these azocalix[4]arene derivatives are more accessible to Trp residues of BSA molecules than the tyrosine (Tyr) residues. The circular dichroic spectroscopy further verified the binding of azocalix[4]arene derivatives and BSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]