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• Physical activity upregulates serotonin via increased synthesis substrates. • Physical activity upregulates serotonin via increased gut microbiota diversity. • Serotonin regulates children's cognitive function and social-emotional abilities. • Serotonin plays a pivotal role in early neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. Early childhood serves as a critical period for neural development and skill acquisition when children are extremely susceptible to the external environment and experience. As a crucial experiential stimulus, physical activity is believed to produce a series of positive effects on brain development, such as cognitive function, social-emotional abilities, and psychological well-being. The World Health Organization recommends that children engage in sufficient daily physical activity, which has already been strongly advocated in the practice of preschool education. However, the mechanisms by which physical activity promotes brain development are still unclear. The role of neurotransmitters, especially serotonin, in promoting brain development through physical activity has received increasing attention. Physical activity has been shown to stimulate the secretion of serotonin by increasing the bioavailability of free tryptophan and enriching the diversity of gut microbiota. Due to its important role in modulating neuronal proliferation, differentiation, synaptic morphogenesis, and synaptic transmission, serotonin can regulate children's explicit cognitive and social interaction behavior in the early stages of life. Therefore, we hypothesized that serotonin emerges as a pivotal transmitter that mediates the relationship between physical activity and brain development during early childhood. Further systematic reviews and meta -analyses are needed to specifically explore whether the type, intensity, dosage, duration, and degree of voluntariness of PA may affect the role of serotonin in the relationship between physical activity and brain function. This review not only helps us understand the impact of exercise on development but also provides a solid theoretical basis for increasing physical activity during early childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), a subset of circulating and resident endothelial progenitor cells, are capable of self-renewal and de novo vessel formation, and are known key regulators of vascular integrity and homeostasis. Numerous studies have found that exposure to hostile environment during the fetal development exerts a profound influence on the level and function of ECFCs, which may be the underlying factor linking endothelial dysfunction to cardiovascular disease of the offspring in later life. Herein, we focus on the latest findings regarding the effects of pregnancy-related disorders on the frequency and function of fetal ECFCs. Subsequently, we discuss about placental ECFCs and put forward some details that should be paid attention to in the process of ECFC isolation and culture. Overall, the information presented in this review highlight the potential of ECFCs as a future biomarker or even therapeutic targets for the pregnancy-related adverse maternal and fetal outcomes. • The number and function of fetal ECFCs are seriously affected under various pregnancy complications. • Dysfunctional ECFCs may be implicated in the process of fetal reprogramming. • Fetal ECFCs may be a link between a deleterious uterine environment and adult-onset chronic diseases in the offspring. • Fetal ECFCs are possible targets for prevention of the fetal origins of adult diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid aqueous rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (HARLIBs) have lower cost and better safety performance than conventional lithium-ion batteries (organic electrolytes). The challenge faced by HARLIBs are the narrow selection of anode and cathode materials, and overcoming the problems of capacity decay of anode and cathode materials in aqueous electrolytes. NaTi 2 (PO 4) 3 , which has a stable three-dimensional open framework structure, shows certain applicability in HARLIBs, but its inherent low electronic conductivity leads to poor utilization of active materials and inferior rate performance. In this article, we propose an experimental method that can improve the conductivity of NaTi 2 (PO 4) 3 /C, and study the electrochemical performance of NaTi 2 (PO 4) 3 /C aqueous half-cell and NaTi 2 (PO 4) 3 /C||LiMn 2 O 4 hybrid aqueous full cell. The results show that Ti3+/oxygen vacancies can endow NaTi 2 (PO 4) 3 /C with higher conductivity and improve the specific capacity and rate capability (69 mAh·g−1, 7C). At 1C, the second discharge specific capacity is 98.46 mAh·g−1. After 100 cycles, the Rct was 2.92 × 10−2 Ω. The NaTi 2 (PO 4) 3 /C//LiMn 2 O 4 full cell can provide a discharge specific capacity of up to 101.07 mAh·g−1. The synthesized NaTi 2 (PO 4) 3 /C material can be applied to the anode electrode of hybrid aqueous lithium-ion full cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of bumetanide on autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has been extensively studied, but the results remain inconclusive, necessitating a critical examination to determine its therapeutic role. Therefore, this study conducted a meta-analysis of bumetanide treatments for ASD to explore its efficacy and identify subpopulation that responded positively. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsyclNFO, Web of Science, Clinical Trials.gov, and references in reviews from the earliest available date to September 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified that evaluated the efficacy of bumetanide in improving overall core symptoms (OCS) of ASD. Therefore, nine studies with 1036 participants were included in the study. Bumetanide showed significant effects on OCS of ASD (WMD = － 1.91, p = 0.006), particularly in sub-domains including relation to inanimate objects, adaption to environment changes, auditory response, near sensory responses, anxiety and hyperactivity. Moderating analysis indicated that a significant effect size of bumetanide on OCS of ASD was observed in specific subgroup, including 3–6 years old (WMD = －1.08, p = 0.008), the tablet (WMD = －2.80, p = 0.003), 3-month intervention (WMD = －2.54, p = 0.003), and the single-center studies (WMD = －2.80, p = 0.003). Bumetanide has a large and significant impact on the OCS of ASD. Given the limited number and quality of included RCTs, future research should prioritize conducting large-scale trials focusing on sub-parameters or specific clinical features to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of bumetanide in subpopulations of children with ASD. • Bumetanide showed significant and large effects on the overall core symptoms of ASD. • Bumetanide's efficacy on ASD is influenced by subjects' age, dosage form, duration. • Results of RCTs on bumetanide in ASD are moderated by study designs, measurement tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of withdrawal time during colonoscopy cannot be overstated in mitigating the risk of missed lesions and postcolonoscopy colorectal cancer. We evaluated a novel colonoscopy quality metric called the effective withdrawal time (EWT), which is an artificial intelligence (AI)-derived quantitative measure of quality withdrawal time, and its association with various colonic lesion detection rates as compared with standard withdrawal time (SWT). Three hundred fifty video recordings of colonoscopy withdrawal (from the cecum to the anus) were assessed by the new AI model. The primary outcome was adenoma detection rate (ADR) according to different quintiles of EWT. Multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for baseline covariates, was used to determine the adjusted odd ratios (ORs) for EWT on lesion detection rates, with the lowest quintile as reference. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of EWT was compared with SWT. The crude ADR in different quintiles of EWT, from lowest to highest, was 10.0%, 31.4%, 33.3%, 53.5%, and 85.7%. The ORs of detecting adenomas and polyps were significantly higher in all top 4 quintiles when compared with the lowest quintile. Each minute increase in EWT was associated with a 49% increase in ADR (aOR, 1.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36-1.65). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of EWT was also significantly higher than SWT on adenoma detection (.80 [95% CI,.75-.84] vs.70 [95% CI,.64-.74], P <.01). AI-derived monitoring of EWT is a promising novel quality indicator for colonoscopy, which is more associated with ADR than SWT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Si-Al composite coating was prepared on γ-TiAl alloy by a two-step method. • SiO 2 coating was electrodeposited on pack aluminizing coating. • Porous SiO 2 coating turns to be compact after oxidation. • The Si- and Al-enriched oxide scale provides good oxidation resistance. Abstract A novel Si-Al composite coating was prepared on γ-TiAl alloy by a two-step method. Firstly, an aluminizing coating was fabricated on γ-TiAl alloy via pack cementation technique. Then a SiO 2 coating was prepared on this aluminizing coating via cathodic electrodeposition. The high temperature oxidation resistance of this composite coating was evaluated under 1000 °C. During the oxidation process, this Si-Al composite coating can react with TiAl and prevent the inward diffusion of oxygen from air to the film/alloy interface, resulting in the remarkable decreased oxidation rate of the alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To evaluate the influence of energy spectra, mesh sizes, high Z element on dose and PVDR in Microbeam Radiation Therapy (MRT) based on 1-D analogy-mouse-head-model (1-D MHM) and 3-D voxel-mouse-head-phantom (3-D VMHP) by Monte Carlo simulation. Methods A Microbeam-Array-Source-Model was implemented into EGSnrc/DOSXYZnrc. The microbeam size is assumed to be 25 μm, 50 μm or 75 μm in thickness and fixed 1 mm in height with 200 μm c-t-c. The influence of the energy spectra of ID17@ESRF and BMIT@CLS were investigated. The mesh size was optimized. PVDR in 1-D MHM and 3-D VMHP was compared with the homogeneous water phantom. The arc influence of 3-D VMHP filled with water (3-D VMHWP) was compared with the rectangle phantom. Results PVDR of the lower BMIT@CLS spectrum is 2.4 times that of ID17@ESRF for lower valley dose. The optimized mesh is 5 µm for 25 µm, and 10 µm for 50 µm and 75 µm microbeams with 200 µm c-t-c. A 500 μm skull layer could make PVDR difference up to 62.5% for 1-D MHM. However this influence is limited (<5%) for the farther homogeneous media (e.g. 600 µm). The peak dose uniformity of 3-D VMHP at the same depth could be up to 8% for 1.85 mm × 1 mm irradiation field, whereas that of 3-D VMHWP is <1%. The high Z element makes the dose uniformity enhance in target. The surface arc could affect the superficial PVDR (from 44% to 21% in 0.2 mm depth), whereas this influence is limited for the more depth (<1%). Conclusion An accurate MRT dose calculation algorithm should include the influence of 3-D heterogeneous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molybdenum trioxide (MoO 3 ) has been considered an advanced auxiliary support for Pt nanoparticle anchorage due to its excellent activity and stability. Nevertheless, its non-conductivity property still impedes its applications in electrocatalytic fields. Thus, the MoO 3 and carbon composite of a nanostructure is synthesized through sintering process and served as an efficient co-support for Pt-based anode catalyst in this paper. The electrochemical measurements demonstrate that Pt/MoO 3 -C catalyst shows higher catalytic activity and stability than the as-prepared Pt/C. Significantly, it exhibits 1.95 times higher activity and 2.36 times better durability for methanol oxidation when compared with commercial Pt/C. The remarkably enhanced performance of this novel Pt/MoO 3 -C catalyst for methanol electrooxidation can be ascribed to the abundant Pt nucleation active sites, uniformly dispersed Pt nanoparticles and the strong metal-support interaction between Pt and MoO 3 -C. These outstanding properties suggest Pt/MoO 3 -C a promising catalyst for practical application of fuel cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Household animal fat has been linked to increased incidence of cancers compared with vegetable fat. However, few epidemiological studies have associated these two cooking oil types with precancerous genotoxic effects, such as occurrence of micronuclei (MN). This study aimed to explore the association between oral MN frequency and household cooking oil type and whether the association can be attributed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We collected information about individual cooking oil use, measured genotoxic effects by MN tests and urinary PAHs metabolites (OHPAHs) in 245 nonsmokers. The associations between household cooking oil type and MN frequency and OHPAHs were analyzed using generalized linear models (GLMs) and logistic regression models, evaluating odds ratios and coefficient (95% confidence intervals) (ORs, 95% Cls; β, 95% Cls). The odds of animal fat consumers, rather than vegetable fat consumers, was positively associated with higher MN frequency (OR = 1.94, P < 0.05). The associations were discovered in participants only using kitchen ventilation (OR = 2.04, P < 0.05). Animal fat consumers had higher total OHPAHs than vegetable fat consumers (1.58 ± 0.22 mg/mol, Cr vs 1.20 ± 0.12 mg/mol, Cr; P = 0.028). Significant correlations were observed between total OHPAHs quartiles and increased MN frequency (β = 0.38, P -trend = 0.026). After stratifying by household cooking oil type, sensitivity analyses showed that the positive association between total OHPAHs quartiles and increased MN frequency was only observed in animal fat consumers (β = 0.61, P -trend = 0.030). In conclusion, usage of household animal fat was associated with an increased odds of oral MN frequency in Chinese nonsmokers and the odds correlated with increased PAHs exposure. This finding supplemented evidence associating cooking oil type with genotoxic effects and explained its association with PAHs exposure. [Display omitted] • Animal fat consumers had higher oral MN frequency than vegetable fat consumers. • Animal fat consumers had higher total OHPAHs than vegetable fat consumers. • When PAHs exposure reached a threshold, the risk of oral MN frequency increased. • PAHs levels can explain the association between cooking oil type and genotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: According to the characteristics of utility-type generator set in variable load sliding-pressure operation, the paper comprehensively analyzes the features of feed-water system, in which variable-speed main feed-water and power frequency booster-pump connect first in series and then in parallel. It puts emphasis on fitting characteristics equation of feed-water pump under different operations, determining characteristics of feed-water pipeline under sliding-pressure operation, corresponding resistance coefficient, and finally deducing the equation of lift, efficiency and rotating speed when different loads and different sliding-pressures are adapted only by main feed-water pump variable speed adjusting. It takes one power plant 600MW supercritical unit for example to compare the energy consumption of different operation modes, and thus puts forward a more suitable operation mode under different loads, providing theoretical basis for the practical application of project. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the expression of E-cadherin and its relationship with clinicopathological parameters in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Methods: Sixty-four patients who had previously undergone complete resection of tumor for LSCC were studied retrospectively. The level of E-cadherin expression in tumor tissues and paired nontumor tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry. Results: The expression of E-cadherin in tumor tissues was significantly lower than nontumor tissues (P <0.001). Reduced E-cadherin expression was significantly correlated with lymph node metastases (P <0.001). Kaplan–Meier survival estimates showed a significant correlation between E-cadherin expression and patient survival rate (log-rank P <0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis confirmed that lymph node metastases (P =0.001) and tumor stage (P =0.013) were statistically significant, independent predictor of prognosis. Conclusion: Expression of E-cadherin is an independent predictor of lymph node metastases in LSCC. However, it does not appear to be a better prognostic predictor than other established markers in LSCC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Qualitative evidence of the success of SC projects based on 90 questionnaires. • Systematic investigation of relationships between sponge city project success factors. • In China economic success factors are undervalued and underperforming. • In Australia policy and governance success factors are undervalued and underperforming. • Procedural and substantive success factors are not well linked in projects across Asia-Pacific. Sponge City (SC) projects aim to replicate natural water cycles within urban settings, providing sustainable solutions to urban water management. However, there is a lack of understanding on the relative importance and performance of the significant factors that contribute to the success of SC projects. To address this, we conducted a survey of urban water experts from the two distinctive cultures of Australia and China, to generate insights on 'what makes a successful Sponge City project?'. We also explored the relationships between success factors using importance performance analysis and structural equation modelling. Our findings demonstrate that whilst professionals think that the water management objectives have been dealt with in a satisfactory way, they also find that economic, socio-cultural and design factors are addressed in an insufficient or fragmented way. Our research highlights both similarities and differences in the importance and performance of SC factors in two countries. In China greater attention to economic factors is required, while in Australia policy and governance factors require greater focus. Both China and Australia would benefit from further research on undervalued socio-cultural factors. Most importantly we find that SC projects require greater integration of substantive and procedural factors to address urban water challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To observe the effects of signal factors of corticosterone (CS), cAMP, cGMP, Ca2+ and protein kinase C (PKC) on lymphocyte apoptosis in mouse thymus induced by X-rays of 4 Gy in vitro. Methods The DNA lytic rate for thymocytes was measured by fluorospectrophotometry. Results The DNA lytic rate for thymocytes 4-8 hours after irradiation with 2-8 Gy was significantly higher than that in the control (P<0.01). As compared with the control, the DNA lytic rate for thymocytes treated with 0.01 µmol/L CS (P<0.01), 50 ng/mL cAMP (P<0.01), 0.05-0.4 µg/mL ionomycin (lono, P<0.05 or P<0.01) or 0.05-0.4 ng/mL phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, P<0.05 or P<0.01), respectively, was significantly increased, while the rate for thymocytes treated with 50 ng/mL cGMP was not significantly increased. The DNA lytic rate for thymocytes treated with 0.01 µmol/L CS (P<0.01), 50 ng/mL cAMP (P<0.01), 0.2 and 0.4 µg/mL lono (P<0.05), and 0.2 and 0.4 ng/mL PMA (P<0.05) plus 4-Gy irradiation, respectively, was significantly higher than that treated with single 4-Gy irradiation, while the rate for thymocytes treated with 50 ng/mL cGMP plus 4-Gy irradiation was not increased. When both 0.4 µg/mL lono and 0.4 ng/mL PMA acted on the thymocytes, the DNA lytic rate for thymocytes was significantly higher than that in the control (P<0.01), the DNA lytic rate for thymocytes treated with both 0.4 µg/mL lono and 0.4 ng/mL PMA plus 4-Gy irradiation was significantly higher than that treated with single 4-Gy irradiation (P<0.05), but was not significantly higher than that treated with 0.4 µg/mL lono plus 4-Gy irradiation or 0.4 ng/mL PMA plus 4-Gy irradiation. Conclusion CS, cAMP, Ca2+, and PKC signal factors can promote thymocyte apoptosis induced by larger dose X-rays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A glass-ceramic coating incorporated with YSZ and ZrB 2 was prepared. • An electrodeposited SiO 2 interlayer was introduced into the coating system. • The coating bulk and interfacial structures were both reinforced by the particles. • The coated TiAl alloy exhibited satisfactory oxidation resistance at 1000 ℃. With electrodeposited SiO 2 film as the interlayer, 8YSZ (8.0 wt.% Y 2 O 3 partially stabilized ZrO 2) and ZrB 2 particles co-incorporated glass-ceramic coating was fabricated on TiAl alloy. The oxidation performance and interfacial reaction behavior of this coating were studied. The compact glass-ceramic coating inhibited the inward diffusion of oxygen. The reaction between the SiO 2 interlayer and the potassium silicate coating benefited to improve the coating adhesion property and suppress the coating degradation at the coating/substrate interface. Due to the synergy of the incorporated particles and SiO 2 interlayer, both the oxidation performance and interfacial structure of the glass-ceramic coating were improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Electrodeposited SiO 2 coating can efficiently improve the hot corrosion resistance of TiAl alloy. • Compact and adherent corrosion scale generates during the hot corrosion process. • The dissolution of SiO 2 into the molten sodium salt leads to the generation of Na 2 Si 4 O 9. • The compact Al 2 O 3 layer at the coating/alloy interface benefits to improve the hot corrosion resistance. To improve the hot corrosion resistance, thickness controllable SiO 2 coating was electrodeposited on TiAl alloy. The hot corrosion behavior of the specimens contaminated with 75 wt.% Na 2 SO 4 + 25 wt.% NaCl salt mixture was investigated at 700 °C. Results showed that the generation of compact amorphous SiO 2 embedded with Na 2 Si 4 O 9 and cristobalite was responsible for the enhanced hot corrosion resistance. Moreover, the SiO 2 coating does not only act as a diffusion barrier to sulfur and chlorine but also decreases the oxygen partial pressure at the coating/alloy interface, therefore promoting the selective oxidation of Al to form protective Al 2 O 3 layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Osteopontin (OPN) is an immunoregulatory factors involved in the development of autoimmune disease. • The expression of OPN is increased during the development of experiment autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG). • The rats in the EAMG group were randomized to receive NaCl or different dose of OPN. • OPN could regulate the differentiation of Th cells, especially Th1 and Treg cells. Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional extracellular matrix phosphoprotein that has a specific and complicated structure, and contributes to numerous physiological and pathological activities. The mechanism of OPN in many diseases has been confirmed; however, the role of OPN in myasthenia gravis (MG) remains unclear. In this study, we recombined rat OPN protein in vitro , and assessed how OPN affects the development of autoimmunity using an experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG) rat model. The results showed that the concentration of OPN in serum was up-regulated. Both mRNA and protein levels in splenocytes increased in the EAMG model. OPN treatment in vitro strongly promoted the differentiation of Th1 cells, and inhibited the differentiation of Treg cells. Intraperitoneal injection of OPN revealed the early incidence of EAMG, and more serious disease. This effect was accompanied by an increased percentage of Th1 cells. In conclusion, OPN likely exacerbates the pathogenesis of EAMG by promoting the differentiation of Th1 cells and inhibiting the differentiation of Treg cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • At OLR of 24.7 gVS/L, CH 4 yields of AD reactor at 45 °C was 536.23 mLCH 4 /gVS. • Fe0 and Fe 3 O 4 played a co-enhancing role in increasing CH 4 yield in AD at 45 °C. • Methanobacterium sp and Syntrophaceticus schinkii were key species in AD at 45 °C. • SAO-HM was main pathway to eliminate acidification and methanogenesis in AD at 45 °C. Deoiling of food waste (FW) after hydrothermal pretreatment occurs at high temperatures, and more energy is required for substrate cooling before the anaerobic digestion (AD) process. AD at the transition temperature (for example 45 °C) is good for energy saving and carbon emission reducing when treating deoiling FW. However, the metabolic activity of methanogens must increase at the transition temperatures. This study proposes the use of zero-valent iron (Fe0) and magnetite (Fe 3 O 4) to boost CH 4 yield from deoiling FW. The results showed a co-enhancing effect on CH 4 yield upgradation when using Fe0 and Fe 3 O 4 simultaneously, and the highest CH 4 yield reached 536.23 mLCH 4 /gVS, which was 67.5 % higher than that of Fe0 alone (320.14 mLCH 4 /gVS). In addition, a high organic loading was favorable for increasing the CH 4 yield from deoiling FW. Microbial diversity analysis suggested that the dominant methanogenic pathway at 45 °C was hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis. Herein, a potential metabolic pathway analysis revealed that the co-enhancing effects of Fe0 and Fe 3 O 4 enhanced syntrophic methanogenesis and possibly boosted electron transfer efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel nitrogen-doped carbon material with honeycomb-like mesoporous structure was synthesized via carbonization of polyaniline under template and acted as support for the Pt catalyst. Pyrolysis temperature plays a significant role in enhancing electrochemical performance of Pt/mesoporous nitrogen-doped carbon (Pt/MNC) catalyst. Considering comprehensively electrocatalytic activity and stability for methanol electrooxidation, MNC-900 (MNC prepared at pyrolysis temperature of 900 °C) is an appropriate support for Pt catalyst. Moreover, the electrochemical performance of Pt/MNC-900 catalyst is significantly superior to that of Pt/mesoporous carbon (Pt/MC) catalyst. The enhancement is attributed to N species introduced to the support and optimal proportion of pyridinic N, pyrrolic N and graphitic N. When the contents of pyridinic N, pyrrolic N and graphitic N achieve optimal proportion, MNC support reveals not only intense anchoring effect of Pt nanoparticles but also enhanced electric conductivity, further improving electrocatalytic activity and stability of the catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Determining the kinds of the organic acids in the pulp of Feizixiao litchi and observing the dynamic change characteristics of the different organic acids content. • Identifing the key biochemical pathways for the metabolism of the organic acids in the pulp of Feizixiao litchi through RNA-seq. • Confirming the key genes regulating the organic acids accumulation in the pulp of Feizixiao litchi and their expressions characteristics through RNA-seq. • Verifing the expression of the above key genes through real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. To investigate the gene expression characteristics and patterns of organic acid synthesis and accumulation in the pulp of Litchi chinensis Sonn. cv. Feizixiao (FZX), 16-year-old Feizixiao litchi trees were used as the experimental material, and the dynamic changes in the main organic acids in the pulp were determined for two years. RNA sequencing was carried out when the total acids in the pulp changed drastically 35, 50 and 73 d after anthesis in 2020 to discover the molecular mechanism of the synthesis and accumulation of different organic acids in pulp. The results indicate that tartaric acid and malic acid were the main organic acids in pulp. The RNA-seq contained 165,886 transcripts, and 12 176, 19 835 and 5 048 DEGs were observed in the 35 d vs. 50 d, 35 d vs. 73 d and 50 d vs. 73 d groups, respectively. These expressed transcripts of organic acid metabolism were significantly enriched in correlated pathways, including glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, citric acid cycle (TCA cycle), and ascorbate and aldarate metabolism. In this paper, 75 genes of the enzymes related to organic acid metabolic pathways were screened, and these enzymes included PEPC, MDH, ME, CS, IDH and ACO. Ten unigenes were selected to confirm by real-time PCR, and the linear regression between the RNA-Seq results and real-time PCR data was significant (r = 0.8637). In addition, the expression of PEPC and ACO genes was consistent with the content of citric acid, the expression of the CS gene increased with time, and the change in expression of the MDH gene was similar to that of the malic acid content, while the expression of the ME gene showed an opposite trend. Therefore, it was possible to regulate acid accumulation in pulp by regulating the expression of key genes related to pathways such as the TCA cycle, and then the comprehensive fruit quality was regulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Recent high vertical resolution measurements show small vertical scale structures (SVSs) are present in the flow above and within the equatorial thermocline and that these structures contribute significantly to ocean mixing. The SVSs are typically unresolved in OGCMs and thus their impact needs to be parameterized. We investigate the impact of the mixing induced by the SVSs on the state of the equatorial Pacific in an ocean general circulation model (OGCM). As a first step to determine the importance of the SVS induced mixing we introduce an enhanced mixing within and above the equatorial thermocline. It is found that this enhanced mixing reduces the stratification above the thermocline, and sharpens the thermocline through the Phillips effect. The sharpened thermocline limits the exchange of heat across the thermocline and traps the surface heating above the thermocline. The reduced stratification leads to less cooling of the mixed layer through entrainment, a reduced annual cycle and an increase in the annual mean of the sea surface temperature (SST) in the eastern equatorial cold tongue. The depth dependency in enhanced SVS mixing is crucial to its impact; when the enhanced mixing is applied throughout the depth of the ocean (as has been done usually in previous studies,) the cold tongue SST is cooled further. In the western equatorial Pacific, where the thermocline is deeper, SVS enhanced mixing induces a colder SST. We also find that the SVS mixing reduces the eddy kinetic energy associated with the tropical instability waves through a reduction of the meridional and vertical shear of the equatorial currents and temperature gradient. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mutations in the human gene encoding the neuron-specific Eag1 voltage-gated K+ channel are associated with neurodevelopmental diseases, indicating an important role of Eag1 during brain development. A disease-causing Eag1 mutation is linked to decreased protein stability that involves enhanced protein degradation by the E3 ubiquitin ligase cullin 7 (CUL7). The general mechanisms governing protein homeostasis of plasma membrane- and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-localized Eag1 K+ channels, however, remain unclear. By using yeast two-hybrid screening, we identified another E3 ubiquitin ligase, makorin ring finger protein 1 (MKRN1), as a novel binding partner primarily interacting with the carboxyl-terminal region of Eag1. MKRN1 mainly interacts with ER-localized immature core-glycosylated, as well as nascent nonglycosylated, Eag1 proteins. MKRN1 promotes polyubiquitination and ERassociated proteasomal degradation of immature Eag1 proteins. Although both CUL7 and MKRN1 contribute to ER quality control of immature core-glycosylated Eag1 proteins, MKRN1, but not CUL7, associates with and promotes degradation of nascent, nonglycosylated Eag1 proteins at the ER. In direct contrast to the role of CUL7 in regulating both ER and peripheral quality controls of Eag1, MKRN1 is exclusively responsible for the early stage of Eag1 maturation at the ER. We further demonstrated that both CUL7 and MKRN1 contribute to protein quality control of additional diseasecausing Eag1 mutants associated with defective protein homeostasis. Our data suggest that the presence of this dual ubiquitination system differentially maintains Eag1 protein homeostasis and may ensure efficient removal of diseaseassociated misfolded Eag1 mutant channels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the contribution of atmospheric climate variables to the prediction skill of tropical cyclone (TC) activity over the North Indian Ocean (NIO) has been investigated. Statistical forecast models are developed through generalised linear model (GLM) and generalised additive model (GAM) for tropical cyclone trajectories over the NIO using atmospheric climate variables as predictors. TC from the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre and sets of climate predictor data were analysed for a period of 35-year (1979–2013). The velocity field is predicted by fitting GAM in each month and season. Hindcast validation method is applied to assess the reliability of the model. The skill of the GAM model is compared with GLM and found to be more successful in forecasting TC movement over the NIO region. • Statistical forecast models are developed for tropical cyclone trajectories forecasting over the NIO. • Atmospheric climate variables including Quasi Biennial Oscillation have been used as predictors. • The GAM model is found to be successful in forecasting TC movement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]