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[Display omitted] • Organic acids facilitated conversion of monomeric to copigmented anthocyanins. • The formation of esters was promoted by adding exogenous organic acids. • Exogenous organic acids increased the balance of sugar and acidity. • The more harmonious residual sugar and titratable acidity ratio was about 11:1. • The addition of organic acids enhanced the fruity aroma of wines. In this study, acidity was regulated with the addition of exogenous tartaric acid and citric acid before bottling. The effect of exogenous organic acids on chemical compositions and sensory attributes of fortified sweet wines from dehydrated grapes were investigated. The results indicated that exogenous organic acids promoted the conversion of monomeric anthocyanins to copigmented anthocyanins in wines. Specifically, the combination of malvidin-3- O -glucoside and flavanols (catechin and epicatechin) was facilitated to form copigmented anthocyanins. Sensory analysis suggested that exogenous organic acids improved the balance of sugar and acidity and benefited the harmony in wines on the taste. Wines with a residual sugar and titratable acidity ratio of about 11:1 exhibited the more harmonious taste. In addition, it was also observed changes in the aroma profile related to volatile compounds, namely, more intense fruity aroma in wines with the addition of organic acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electro-Fenton reaction was limited by the generation of H 2 O 2 and the circulation of Fe(Ⅱ)/Fe(Ⅲ). Herein, an efficient electro-Fenton-like process was constructed based on Fe 3 O 4 –CaO 2 cathode promoted by peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Levofloxacin (LEV) could be efficiently degraded (92.1%) and mineralized with the TOC removal of 74.5% in this self-circulating process. More importantly, the Fe 3 O 4 –CaO 2 exhibited good stability in the recycles due that CaO 2 was covered by Fe 3 O 4 , which inhibited the rapid release of H 2 O 2. Mechanism analysis indicated that CaO 2 could not only replace H 2 O 2 to accelerate the oxidation of Fe(Ⅱ) to Fe(Ⅲ), but also could form complexes with Fe(Ⅲ) and PMS to transfer electrons from ligands to metals, thereby enhancing the reduction of Fe(Ⅲ) to Fe(Ⅱ). As a result, the electrical consumption was significantly reduced, which was only 5.0% of the Fe 3 O 4 in electro-Fenton reaction. Meanwhile, the hydrolyzed product of Ca(OH) 2 reacted with Fe(Ⅲ) in the presence of H 2 O 2 and converted into CaO 2. Thus, the self-circulation of CaO 2 /Ca(OH) 2 and Fe(Ⅲ)/Fe(Ⅱ) was realized, which accelerated the generation of active species, such as, ·OH, O 2 ·- and 1O 2. This work first proposed a self-circulating electro-Fenton-like system and demonstrated the potential application of Fe 3 O 4 –CaO 2 in the treatment of wastewater. [Display omitted] • Fe 3 O 4 –CaO 2 composite had fast electron transport ability and abundant Fe(Ⅱ) on the surface. • Fe 3 O 4 –CaO 2 cathode exhibited excellent performance and low energy consumption for LEV degradation. • Efficient circulation of CaO 2 /Ca(OH) 2 and Fe(Ⅲ)/Fe(Ⅱ) was promoted by PMS in electron-Fenton-like process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copy number variations (CNV) contribute significantly to genetic variations. Numerous studies have shown that CNV affects phenotypic traits in livestock. The SMAD family member 2 (SMAD2) is a leading candidate gene in reproduction and has a crucial effect on litter size. Additionally, SMAD2 is also required for male reproduction and influences male germ cell development. However, there are no reports on investigating the effect of CNVs in the SMAD2 gene on reproductive traits in goat. Therefore, the goal of this study was to explore associations between CNV of the SMAD2 gene and litter size and semen quality in Shaanbei white cashmere (SBWC) goats. In this study, two CNVs within the SMAD2 were identified in 352 SBWC goats (50 males and 302 females). The association analysis revealed that only CNV2 was significantly associated with female goat first-born litter size (P = 3.59 × 10−4), male semen concentration (P < 0.01), ejaculation volume, live sperm count, and sperm deformity rate (P < 0.05). In terms of phenotypic performance, the individuals with loss genotypes outperformed those with other genotypes. CNV1 and CNV2 genotype combinations containing their dominant genotypes were also associated with goat litter size (P = 1.7 × 10−5), but no differences in semen quality were found. In summary, CNV2 of the SMAD2 gene is useful for molecular marker-assisted selection breeding, as it is associated with essential goat reproductive traits. • Two CNV loci within the SMAD2 gene were identified in SBWC goats. • CNV2 was significantly associated with litter size in female goats (P < 0.01). • In male goats, CNV2 had a significant effect on semen quality traits (P < 0.05). • Therefore, CNV2 in the SMAD2 gene could be an effective DNA marker for breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to overcome the sluggish kinetics of the redox conversion between Fe3+ and Fe2+ in Fenton process, we established a novel electro-Fenton system based on GO-Fe 3 O 4 cathode and tannic acid (TA) for the efficient degradation of p -nitrophenol (PNP). Under the optimal degradation parameters (including the initial PNP concentration of 20 mg L−1, pH = 5, current density of 30 mA cm−2 and feeding ratio of PNP: TA = 1:2), the TA reinforced GO-Fe 3 O 4 electro-Fenton system exhibited the removal rate of PNP over 90.1 ± 0.2%, the COD removal rate of 69.5 ± 0.84% and satisfactory reusability (with the removal rate of ∼80% after 5 recycles). The excellent degradation performance of the proposed TA reinforced GO-Fe 3 O 4 electro-Fenton system was partly attributed to the optimized morphology (with the particle size of Fe 3 O 4 reduced to tens of nanometers, pore size decreased by ∼80% and pore volume increased by 24.3 times) and larger specific surface area (increased by 72.7 times) after compositing GO with Fe 3 O 4 , which exposed more active sites. In return, the electron transfer process, the two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the degradation efficiency were promoted in the cooperation of GO and Fe 3 O 4. Moreover, the incorporated TA would form a TA-Fe(III) complex to promote the reduction reaction from Fe3+ to Fe2+, which strengthened the self-circulation of Fe2+ and Fe3+ and indirectly enhanced the conversion of H 2 O 2 to ROS to decompose PNP into smaller organic fragments or mineralize into CO 2 , H 2 O, NO 2 − or NO 3 −, etc. Obviously, the incorporation of TA provided a promising strategy to improve the electro-Fenton efficiency and realize the efficient removal of PNP in wastewater. [Display omitted] • A novel TA reinforced GO-Fe 3 O 4 /NF electro-Fenton system was established. • The TA reinforced GO-Fe 3 O 4 /NF system realized the efficient degradation of PNP. • Combination of GO-Fe 3 O 4 /NF and TA promoted the 2-electron ORR process. • Introduction of TA accelerated the redox cycle of Fe2+/Fe3+ to generate more ·OH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cylindrical slide valve is an essential component of the hydraulic system, which regulates and controls the oil. When hydraulic oil flows through the slide valve port, cavitation often occurs due to a sharp pressure drop, affecting the hydraulic system's stability. Therefore, the study of cavitation phenomena in valves is an important topic. This paper conducts a transient numerical simulation of the three-dimensional multi-physics field in the valve under different inlet pressure and oil temperature conditions and studies the effects of different inlet pressures and oil temperatures on the oil's temperature rise and cavitation phenomenon at the valve port. The results show that under high-pressure differences, the temperature of hydraulic oil rises significantly. In addition, the increase in oil temperature will significantly affect the cavitation intensity in the valve. When the oil temperature is 330 K, the severity of cavitation in the valve under a pressure of 5 MPa is roughly the same as when the oil temperature is 300 K, and the inlet pressure is 15 MPa. Under different inlet pressure and oil temperature conditions, the pressure pulsation in the slide valve is also very different. Under certain working conditions, the peak power spectrum density of the pressure pulsation is close to the hydraulic natural frequency, which may cause the slide valve to self-excited oscillation. Therefore, it is recommended that under actual working conditions, the oil temperature should be lowered in time to reduce the adverse effects of valve port cavitation. • A mathematical model of cavitation coupled with temperature fields was developed. • The high-pressure drop at the valve port causes the hydraulic oil temperature to rise significantly. • As The oil temperature increases, the cavitation phenomenon in the valve increases significantly. • Under certain working conditions, the pressure pulsation frequency caused by cavitation is close to the hydraulic natural frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Many adjuvant therapies have been widely used in an attempt to reduce the local recurrence or distant metastasis of locally advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) after surgical resection. However, the benefits of adjuvant therapy remain controversial. Thus, we performed this study to analyze the role and safety of adjuvant therapy in renal cancer setting.Methods and Methods: We comprehensively searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for published randomized controlled trials comparing adjuvant therapy (chemotherapy, vaccine therapy, immune therapy, and targeted therapy) versus no active treatment after surgery among patients with locoregional RCC. Outcomes of interest were disease-free survival, overall survival, and severe toxicities. Different kinds of adjuvant therapy were evaluated separately.Results: Twelve studies (5,936 patients) were included in the present analysis. Adjuvant therapy did not contribute to overall survival (HR = 1.04; 95% CI: 0.95-1.15; P = 0.395; I2 = 0%) or disease-free survival (HR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.92-1.08; P = 0.971; I2 = 35%) when compared to placebo or observation. No survival benefit was observed according to subgroup analyses (targeted therapy, vaccine therapy, and immune therapy). Moreover, adjuvant therapy increased obviously the risk of toxicities.Conclusions: The addition of adjuvant therapy provided no survival benefit but increased the rates of adverse events for locally advanced RCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SMAD family member 1 (SMAD1) is phosphorylated and activated by the BMP receptors, which help regulate ovulation rate, cell growth, apoptosis, and development. Previously, the genome-wide association study revealed that it has been associated with fecundity in sheep. However, its effect on litter size has not been investigated in goats. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the level of SMAD1 mRNA expression in various tissues and to identify its polymorphisms and their association with litter size in Shaanbei white cashmere goat (SBWC). As a result, RT-qPCR analysis showed that SMAD1 was expressed in various tissues in female SBWC goats, including the ovary (P < 0.05). Importantly, the mRNA expression level in the ovaries of mothers of multi-lambs had a higher level than the mothers of single lambs (P < 0.05). Moreover, two InDels (18-bp and 7-bp) in intron 1 of SMAD1 were polymorphic among ten potential loci. Both 18-bp and 7-bp InDels were significantly correlated with litter size (P = 0.014) and (P = 0.0001), respectively. As shown by the chi-squared test, genotypic distributions of 18-bp and 7-bp were significantly distinct between single-lamb (P = 0.02) and multi-lamb mothers (P = 0.002). Our findings confirm that two InDels in SMAD1 were significantly associated with litter size and suggest that they could be used to improve fertility traits in goat breeding strategies. • SMAD1 mRNA was widely expressed in varied tissues and the ovary level of goats was significantly high (P < 0.05). • The expression of SMAD1 showed significant differences in ovaries in mothers of multi-lamb and mothers of single-lamb. • These InDel loci P1-Del-18-bp and P2-Del-7-bp were significantly associated with Shaanbei white cashmere goat litter size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction of heterojunction and design of its architecture are effective strategies to improve the catalytic performance of photocatalyst. Herein, BiOBr/Bi 2 O 4 p-n heterojunction was fabricated by a co-precipitation method, in which two-dimensional (2D) BiOBr nanosheets sheathed well on the surface of quasi-one-dimensional (1D) Bi 2 O 4 submicrorods, forming a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical structure. Such structural feature can not only enhance the utilization of incident photons through multi-reflection within the hierarchical structure but also raise the specific surface areas to supply more surface-active sites to participate in photocatalytic reaction. More importantly, BiOBr/Bi 2 O 4 p-n junction could accelerate the interfacial electron-hole pairs transfer and separation via the built-in electric field, extending the lifetime of charge carriers. Thus, as-prepared BiOBr/Bi 2 O 4 heterojunctions exhibit superior visible light catalytic activity for the photodegradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). The catalytic activity of optimal junction is 2.03-fold as high as that of pristine Bi 2 O 4. The trapping experiments demonstrate that hole (h+) and superoxide radical (•O 2 −) are the major active species during the catalytic photodegradation process of 4-CP. This work presents a unique tactic for the construction of high-performance Bi 2 O 4 -based heterojunction for the removal of organic pollutants. • BiOBr nanosheets cover the surface of Bi2O4 rods, forming a 3D hierarchical structure. • BiOBr/Bi2O4 p-n junction accelerates the interfacial electron-hole pairs separation. • 3D hierarchical structure enhances the utilization of incident photons through multi-reflection. • 3D hierarchical structure raises the specific surface areas to supply more active sites. • BiOBr/Bi2O4 junction exhibits higher catalytic activity for the photodegradation of 4-CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Double NCED isozymes regulated ABA biosynthesis in peach fruits. • PpNCEDs had functional divergence. • ABA might promote fruit ripening and senescence through ROS. During ripening, peach fruits (Prunus persica L. Batsch) rapidly progress to the senescent stage, resulting in a brief shelf life. Abscisic acid (ABA) plays an important role in regulating the ripening process, both in climacteric and non-climacteric fruits. A key enzyme for ABA biosynthesis in higher plants is 9- cis -epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase (NCED). In this study, two NCED isozymes, PpNCED1 and PpNCED5, were identified in peach fruits. While both NCED genes had similar transcriptional patterns (up-regulation) at the beginning of peach ripening, PpNCED5 showed a consistently lower expression level than PpNCED1. During the post-harvest stage, gene expression of PpNCED1 declined, while PpNCED5 expression increased relative to PpNCED1 expression. Considering the dynamic process of ABA accumulation during fruit ripening and senescence in peach, this study indicates that both NCED genes cooperatively control ABA biosynthesis in peach fruits. Moreover, spatio-temporal expression and transcriptional response to hormone and abiotic stress suggested that there is functional divergence between PpNCED1 and PpNCED5 genes in peach. A carotenoid-rich callus system was used to verify the function of PpNCED1 and PpNCED5. In the transgenic callus system, both PpNCED1 and PpNCED5 isozymes promoted ABA biosynthesis, which likely accelerated cell senescence through activating ROS signals. The results from this study provide evidence supporting an ABA biosynthetic regulation process via the two NCED genes in peach fruit, and suggest a mechanism of ABA-induced fruit ripening and senescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]