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Urban ventilation corridors play a crucial role in regulating urban climate, alleviating urban heat island effect and deterioration of air quality. Considering various factors influencing the city wind environment and based on GIS evaluation methods, we establish a refined assessment model for urban ventilation (RAV model), which provides a reference for the ventilation corridors design. In case of Xi'an, a typical inland city in China, the thermal load index composed of land surface temperature and PM2.5 concentration is introduced to distinguish the urban cold islands and heat islands. The RAV model is calculated according to six influencing factors related to urban spatial morphology, including water body, green land area, road density, average building height, building density, and urban terrain. Furthermore, we have developed ventilation assessment maps with spatial resolutions of 100 and 10 m, which are more refined than the scale of existing studies. On this basis, combined with urban wind environment and the thermal load map, a multi-stage air duct system is generated by using the least-cost path method. As a result, the study area revealed six candidate first-class air ducts, as well as the metropolitan area of Xi'an revealed four candidate second-class air ducts. The evaluation results are more pragmatic than those based on frontal area density. This study provides quantitative reference for urban climate zoning optimization and ventilation corridor control strategies in the process of cost effective and environmentally habitable cities. • Introduced the thermal load index composed of land surface temperature and PM2.5 concentration. • Performed regression analysis on urban ventilation contributors. • Ventilation assessment maps up to 10 m. • Proposed the multi-stage "ventilation corridor + scenic area" model integrating the morphology features and wind environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Grass carp TRIF exhibits sequence divergence from its orthologs. [•] CiTRIF might activate IFN in distinct manner from that in mammals. [•] CiTRIF plays a critical role in RLR pathway in antiviral immune response. [•] CiTRIF inhibits GCRV replication in CIK cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new urban-growth CA model using the firefly algorithm can enhance the simulation accuracy. • The model was applied to simulate the past and future urban patterns of Xi-xian. • The land transition probability indicates that the traffic facilities have a significant impact. • The FOM in the calibration and validation are respectively increased by 4.84% and 8.10%. • The model can improve CA-based simulation methods and enhance our understanding. Optimization of cellular automata (CA) using swarm intelligence is an effective approach to establish optimal models for urban growth modeling. This study builds a new CA model (CA FFA) using the firefly algorithm through optimizing transition rules, aiming to enhance the simulation accuracy. We applied CA FFA to reproduce historical urban growth (2009-2014 and 2014-2019) and simulate future scenarios (2024 and 2029) of the Xi-xian metropolitan area in 2009, 2014 and 2019. The retrieved CA FFA parameters and land transition probability maps indicate that the traffic facilities have more significant impacts on urban growth in Xi-xian than the socio-economic and other proximity factors. The overall accuracy of CA FFA is 90.2% in 2014 and 94.6% in 2019, both better than the logistic CA model (88.9% and 92.2%). The figure-of-merits of CA FFA in calibration and validation are respectively increased by 4.84% and 8.10% compared with the logistic CA model. With the increasing distance to the city center, new urban areas will first increase and then decrease, and be mainly distributed in the northern part, which are consistent with the local development planning and have strong practical significance. The proposed model can improve CA-based modeling methods and enhance our understanding of Chinese western cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Static magnetic fields (SMFs), magnetic fields with constant intensity and orientation, have been extensively studied in the field of bone biology both fundamentally and clinically as a non-invasive physical factor. A large number of animal experiments and clinical studies have shown that SMFs have effective therapeutic effects on bone-related diseases such as non-healing fractures, bone non-union of bone implants, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. The maintenance of bone health in adults depends on the basic functions of bone cells, such as bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts. Numerous studies have revealed that SMFs can regulate the proliferation, differentiation, and function of bone tissue cells, including bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), osteoblasts, bone marrow monocytes (BMMs), osteoclasts, and osteocytes. In this paper, the effects of SMFs on bone-related diseases and bone tissue cells are reviewed from both in vivo studies and in vitro studies, and the possible mechanisms are analyzed. In addition, some challenges that need to be further addressed in the research of SMF and bone are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Lung CD45+CD326− inflammatory cells loss and CD45-CD326+ epithelial cells gain SOCS3 in PR8-infected SpcCre.Socs3f/f mice. • Knockdown or deletion of Socs3 in lung epithelial cells upregulates Csf2 and Ptges. • Combination of GM-CSF and PGE 2 promotes neutrophils to secrete SOCS3. • SpcCre.Socs3f/f lung epithelial cells uptake SOCS3 released from the GM-CSF + PGE 2 -stimulated SpcCre.Socs3f/f neutrophils. • Deletion of SOCS3 from lung epithelium could be nullified by the uptake from SOCS3 from infiltrated neutrophils in vivo. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) is a negative regulator of TBK1 and interferon pathway and the expression of SOCS3 is closely correlated with symptoms of influenza patients. However, whether deletion of Socs3 in the lung epithelial cells would affect influenza lung replication and inflammation in vivo is unknown. To test this, we approached the influenza infected Socs3f/f and SpcCre.Socs3f/f mice. We first found that knockdown of Socs3 in lung epithelial cells reduced influenza replication. However, in the in vivo study, there was a reduction of SOCS3 in the influenza-infected neutrophils coincided with an increase of SOCS3 in the CD45−CD326+ lung epithelial cells in PR8-infected SpcCre.Socs3f/f mice. SOCS3-deficient neutrophils expressed higher levels of IL-17 that enhanced chemokine expression in the lung epithelial cells. Lung SOCS3-dificient epithelial cells increased expression of GM-CSF and PGE 2 which promoted SpcCre.Socs3f/f neutrophils to yield SOCS3. SpcCre.Socs3f/f lung epithelial cells internalized SOCS3 released from GM-CSF + PGE 2 -stimulated SpcCre.Socs3f/f neutrophils, which could boost influenza replication in the lung epithelial cells. Thus, in the in vivo study, deletion of SOCS3 from lung epithelium could be nullified by the uptake from SOCS3 from infiltrated neutrophils. In addition, deletion of Socs3 from myeloid cells reduced lung influenza infection, but increased lung inflammation. Taken together, deletion of SOCS3 could suppress influenza replication, but intracellular SOCS3 communication between neutrophils and lung epithelial cells confounds this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Reinforcement bar corrosion induced by chloride ions ingress is one of the dominating causes for the deterioration of reinforced concrete structures in salty environment. Thus, it is particularly important to accurately predict chloride concentration in concretes and evaluate the structural service life. This paper presents the results of an indoor experimental investigation on chloride diffusion in plain and reinforced mortar specimens exposed to tidal zone, which is simulated by a self-design marine environment automatic simulation device. Concrete covering-layer was divided into major influence area (MIA) and secondary influence area (SIA) to accurately describe the chloride ion concentration distribution characteristics. MIA is the region affected by direct and indirect blocking effect of reinforcement bar, while SIA is the area only influenced by the indirect one. Also, the relative influence coefficient C re was defined to measure the impact of reinforcement bar on the chloride ion ingress. The results indicate that indirect blocking effect of rebar resulting from changes of material properties is the major cause for the chloride ion concentration distribution in SIA and it is only relative to the diffusion depth. Whereas, direct blocking effect of bar caused by physical obstruction to accumulate chloride ions contributes most to the chloride increase in MIA and it is correlated to the diffusion depth, exposure time and diameter of bar. Finally, an empirical prediction model of chloride concentration in concrete covering-layer considering the effect of reinforcement presence is proposed. Highlights • A self-designed artificial marine environment automatic simulation device can simulate the actual tidal fluctuation. • The influence area of rebar on chloride distribution was extended to concrete covering-layer not merely the apex of rebar. • An empirical model predicting chloride concentration in covering-layer of reinforced concrete was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a high-level radioactive waste (HLW) repository, pH has an impact on the solubility, migration, and adsorption of radionuclides. Thus, understanding the effects of pH on the diffusion of radionuclides is essential for long-term disposal of HLW. In this work, the diffusion behaviors of Re(VII) and Se(IV) in compacted Gaomiaozi (GMZ) bentonite at different pH have been investigated by a through-diffusion method. The effective diffusion coefficient, i.e., D e values of Re(VII) and Se(IV) were in the range of (1.0–2.4) × 10 −11 m 2 /s at pH 3.0–10.0 and (0.38–2.3) × 10 −11 m 2 /s at pH 3.0–9.0. In the case of Re(VII), the D e values remained almost unchanged probably because ReO 4 − was the dominant species in the pH range of 3.0–10.0. In the case of Se(IV), whose predominant species were HSeO 3 − at pH < 9.0 and SeO 3 2− at pH ≥ 9.0, the D e values decreased by a factor of 3–6 at pH 9.0, i.e., D e (pH < 9.0)/ D e (pH 9.0) ≈ 3–6, implying that the species with a higher valence state had a stronger anion exclusion effect. The decrease in D e values can be explained by the diffusion species of Se(IV). Additionally, the rock capacity factor α decreased with the increase of pH. HSeO 3 − was absorbed on GMZ bentonite with distribution coefficient K d values in the range of (1.0–2.5) × 10 −4 m 3 /kg at pH ≤ 8.0, whereas SeO 3 2− was negligibly sorbed at pH > 8.0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to understand the diffusion properties of anionic radionuclides (RN) in bentonite in the presence of organic compounds with chelating and reducing properties, the effect of humic acid (HA), citrate, oxalate and formate on Re(VII) diffusion was investigated by a through-diffusion method under different pH (pH 7.0 and 10.0) and temperature conditions (10–65 °C). When the molar ratio of oxalate to Re(VII) was higher than 1:1, the accumulated mass and flux were observed to decrease drastically as a function of time. It can be explained by photocatalytic impact of Fe(III) on the reduction of Re(VII) to insoluble Re(IV) by oxalate. Thus, the diffusion of Re(VII) was also observed to decrease in the presence of minor citrate, oxalate and formate. Effective diffusion coefficient (D e ) values decreased from 8.7 × 10 − 11 m 2 /s to (5.1–5.9) × 10 − 11 m 2 /s. In contrast, HA had no significant impact on Re(VII) diffusion. The D e values of 1.54 × 10 − 11 and 6.5 × 10 − 12 m 2 /s were obtained at pH 7.0 and 10.0, respectively. HA thus neither has an effect on the speciation of Re(VII) nor does it change the charge of the surface. The latter is probably due to the fact that HA preferentially interacts with the aluminol sites of the montmorillonite edges without changing the zeta potential of the surface. The dependence of D e of Re(VII) on temperature in the absence and presence of citrate or formate was described by the Arrhenius equation. The activation energy, E a , was in the range of (20.7–25.1) kJ/mol, demonstrating that Re(VII) diffusion followed a pore water diffusion model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a coronavirus which can cause severe human respiratory diseases with a fatality rate of almost 36%. In this study, we report the generation, characterization and epitope mapping of several monoclonal antibodies against the spike receptor-binding domain (RBD) of MERS-CoV. Two monoclonal antibodies (4C7 and 6E8) that can react with linearized RBD have been selected for subsequent identification of RBD mAb-binding epitopes. Two distinct novel linear epitopes, 423FTCSQIS429 and 546SPLEGGGWL554,were precisely located at the outermost surface of RBD by dot-blot hybridization and ELISAs. Multiple sequence alignment analysis showed that these two peptides were highly conserved. Alanine (A)-scanning mutagenesis demonstrated that residues 423F, 428I, and 429S are the crucial residues for the linear epitope 423FTCSQIS429 while residues 548L, 550G, 553W, 554L for epitope 546SPLEGGGWL554. These findings may be helpful for further understanding of the function of RBD protein and the development of subsequent diagnosis and detection methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ovaries, the main female reproductive organs, directly mediate ovulation and reproductive hormone secretion. These complex physiological processes are regulated by multiple genes and pathways. However, there is a lack of research on goat ovaries, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the signaling pathways remain unclear. In this study, Illumina HiSeq 4000 sequencing was used to sequence the transcriptomes of goat ovaries. The expression patterns of differentially expressed mRNAs in goat ovaries at both the follicular and luteal phases were determined by bioinformatics analysis. A total of 1,122, 014, 112 clean reads were obtained, and 3770 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified for further analysis. There were 1727 and 2043 upregulated mRNAs in the luteal phase and follicular phase, respectively. According to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses, some mRNAs that were highly expressed in ovaries during the luteal phase, such as HSD17B7, 3BHSD, and SRD5A2, may be related to the synthesis of progesterone. In addition, some mRNAs that were highly expressed in ovaries during the follicular phase, such as RPL12, RPS13 and RPL10, are related to the growth and maturation of oocytes. Taken together, the findings of this study provide genome-wide mRNA expression profiles for goat ovaries at the follicular and luteal phases and identify mRNAs associated with goat hormone secretion and follicular development. In addition, this study provides a theoretical basis for further investigation of goat reproductive regulation. • Provide a genome-wide expression profile of mRNA expression in the ovaries of follicular and luteal phase goats. • The differentially expressed genes were identified and the function of these genes was analyzed by GO/KEGG/PPI. • The mRNAs that are associated with goat follicular development and hormone secretion were screened out. • There were 1,727 and 2,043 higher expressed mRNAs in the luteal phase and follicular phase, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chloride ions diffusion into concrete is one of the most significant factors for reinforced concrete (RC) structures exposed to marine environment, and this can deteriorate reinforcing steel in concrete and cause steel corrosion, ultimately, shorten the durability and serviceability of RC structures. In this paper, the in-door physical experiment method was adopted to explore the effects of natural coarse aggregate on chloride concentration profiles and diffusion behaviors for concrete specimens under man-made exposure condition of drying-wetting cycles. All investigations were based on 10 concrete mixture designs containing variable volume fractions and maximum sizes of natural coarse aggregate for maximum exposure period of 170 days. The chloride profiles versus exposure time, coarse aggregate volume fraction and maximum size were discussed in this paper. The time-dependent model of surface chloride concentration, and the multifactor model of chloride diffusion coefficient of concrete specimens included exposure time, volume fraction, and maximum size of coarse aggregate were developed based on the experimental measurements. In addition, an empirical prediction model for estimating the chloride diffusion coefficient of interfacial transition zone (ITZ) by the consideration of coarse aggregate was determined. Finally, the accuracy and reasonability of the two models of chloride diffusion coefficients for concrete and ITZ considering the effects of coarse aggregate were validated in terms of the meso-scopic finite element numerical simulation method for chloride diffusion into concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a simplified algorithm for evaluating the hydrodynamic performances of mobile offshore bases (MOBs) in the preliminary design stage based on the following reasonable assumptions: no navigational velocity exists, and marine environment loads only consider the random and irregular wave forces at high sea states. MOBs are a representative structural style for very large modular semi-submersible structures in deep-sea areas. Simplified formulas for different parameters in the dynamic equations of MOBs are derived, including added mass, restoring force, and the constraint forces of connectors. The revised Morison equation is used to estimate the wave forces on MOBs because the components of MOBs can be treated as small-scale components by comparing them to the wavelengths at high sea states. During this process, the shielding effects of the interactions between multiple components of MOBs are considered to estimate the effects of wave diffraction and other fluid-structure interactions on the results of wave forces. A 3-module numerical MOB model at high sea states is considered as a case study. The hydrodynamic responses of the MOB modules are calculated under random and irregular wave conditions with different wave angles. The statistical results obtained using this simplified algorithm in the time domain exhibit close agreement with the results of experiments reported in the literature and obtained using the potential flow theory (PFT) method. Additionally, the relative errors among the 3 methods fall within the permitted range for practical engineering, which adequately validates the accuracy, feasibility and reliability of the methodologies developed in this paper. The statistical results of the hydrodynamic responses among 3 adjacent MOB modules under the same sea state are also compared. Finally, this paper discusses the response spectra associated with the time-domain results of MOB module. This study provides significant support for the evaluation of the hydrodynamic performances of very large modular semi-submersible structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BCL2-like 10 (BCL2L10) is abundantly expressed in mammalian oocytes and plays a crucial role in the completion of oocyte meiosis. However, the expression patterns of BCL2L10 and its biological functions during preimplantation development have not been well characterized. Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal expressions of Bcl2l10 during mouse preimplantation development using RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence and its biological function using siRNA and morpholino injection into pronuclear embryos. Results from RT-qPCR showed that Bcl2l10 was highly expressed in the metaphase Ⅱ-stage oocytes and pronuclear-stage embryos, but expression markedly decreased from the two-cell stage onwards and was no longer detected at the four-cell stage and beyond. Immunofluorescence staining showed that BCL2L10 was detectable throughout preimplantation development and localized in the cytoplasm and nuclei. Knocking down Bcl2l10 resulted in a reduced blastocyst formation rate (P < 0.01) and decreased expression of OCT4, NANOG, and SOX17 (P < 0.05). We concluded that the role of BCL2L10 is strongly associated with developmental competence of preimplantation mouse embryos. • Expression patterns of Bcl2l10 in mouse preimplantation embryos are characterized. • Bcl2l10 knockdown reduces early mouse embryo developmental competence. • Bcl2l10 knockdown downregulates the expression of OCT4, NANOG, and SOX17. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With impending demand for sustainable development, construction wastes as recycled aggregate (RA) to produce recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) is inevitable. However, RA makes adverse effect on performance of RAC. To enhance its performance, the supplementary cementitious materials (SCM), including ground granulated blast furnace slag, red mud, and glass powder, were used to partially substitute cement. In this investigation, the plain cement concrete and mineral-admixture concrete with four replacement ratios of RA were poured. For each mixture, the compressive strength, dynamic elastic modulus, and resistivity were determined; Besides, chloride penetration test was conducted in a tidal cycling simulation device, in which specimens with dimension of 100 × 100 × 400 mm3 were used to explore the effect of drying-wetting time ratios R D/W on chloride diffusion. It was found concrete with 50% RA exhibits improved compressive strength and equivalent chloride resistance through 25% SCM addition. Concrete containing 100% RA achieves equivalent or even superior chloride resistance to control group as SCM added by 45%. With the increase of R D/W , the diffusion of chloride is more serious. Considering the inhomogeneity of concrete pores, a double-porosity transport model solution was derived based on Fick's second law. Combined with test results, a time-dependent model was then established to predict chloride concentration in concrete containing RA and SCM. Furthermore, an analytical solution of cumulative chloride content diffused into concrete was derived to quantify chloride permeability. Subsequently, a linear correlation between chloride permeability and resistivity is confirmed. This investigation will encourage the use of RA in marine engineering, thereby leading to a more sustainable and cleaner production. [Display omitted] • Properties of concrete with recycled aggregate and mineral admixture were studied. • Effect of elevation in tidal zone on chloride diffusion was explored experimentally. • A double-porosity transport model solution was derived based on Fick's second law. • An analytical solution of cumulative content of chloride was derived and applied. • A linear correlation between chloride permeability and resistivity was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Two HMGB2 co-ortholog genes were identified and characterized from grass carp. [•] CiHMGB2a/2b widely express in different tissues. [•] CiHMGB2a/2b involve in immune responses to dsRNA virus and viral/bacterial PAMPs. [•] CiHMGB2a/2b participate in the classical antiviral immune pathways. [•] CiHMGB2a/2b facilitate each other and exhibit strong antiviral activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The start codon followed closely by the single intron in CiTLR8. [•] Obtained the mRNA expression profiles of CiTLR8 post GCRV infection. [•] The strong resistance to GCRV treatment after CiTLR8 inhibition. [•] The negative role of CiTLR8 engaged in the antiviral innate immune defense in CIK cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aims: The present study investigated alteration of abdominal visceral fat mass (VFM) and its relationship to adipokines and insulin resistance (IR) in obese and non-obese type 2 diabetes and normoglycemic subjects. Methods: Twenty-two diabetic patients and 37 normoglycemic controls were subgrouped into obese and non-obese according to their BMI. VFM was quantified by computed tomography. Plasma adiponectin and resistin, two adipokines exert contrary effects on insulin sensitivity were measured. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated by an established HOMA model. Results: Obese subjects showed remarkably expanded VFM, while non-obese diabetes obtained more abundant VFM than non-obese controls (104±50cm2 vs. 77±26cm2, P <0.05). Plasma adiponectin was only significantly decreased in obese diabetes. Plasma resistin was increased in diabetes, but compared between obese and non-obese subjects. Diabetic patients and obese controls were significantly insulin resistant. HOMA-IR index positively correlated to VFM in both groups (r =0.563, P =0.011 for diabetes and r =0.671, P =0.000 for controls). In diabetes but not controls, plasma adiponectin negatively related to VFM (r =−0.687, P =0.000) and HOMA-IR index (r =−0.659, P =0.002), while resistin had no relation to IR and VFM in both groups. Conclusions: Increased VFM may lead to IR by mechanisms beyond adipokines in Chinese type 2 diabetic and normoglycemic subjects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: To synthesise and characterize the polyoxometalate Cs2K4Na[SiW9Nb3O40]·H2O 1 for its anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) properties by using the HepG2.2.15 cell. The methylthiazol tetrazolium assay was used to evaluate the growth inhibitory effect of Compound 1 on HepG2.2.15 cell. By using ELISA and real-time PCR, respectively, the presence of extracellular hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), e antigen (HBeAg), and HBV DNA were measured. The levels of intracellular HBV DNA and mRNA were determined by using Southern blot or reverse-transcription-PCR, respectively. Intracellular distribution of antigen were measured by Western blot. A 1995μmol/L concentration of the commercially-available hepatitis B drug, adefovir dipivoxil (ADV), was required to achieve 50% cytotoxicity against cultured cells (CC50) by day nine; in contrast, only 1747μmol/L of Compound 1 was required for the same result. Treatment of HepG2.2.15 cells with Compound 1 effectively suppress the secretion of HBV antigens and HBV DNA in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. IC50 values were determined to be 80μmol/L for HBsAg, 75μmol/L for HBeAg and 3.72μmol/L for supernatant HBV DNA at day nine post-exposure, as opposed to 266, 296, 30.09μmol/L, respectively, for ADV. Intracellular HBV DNA, mRNA and antigen were also found to be decreased by Compound 1. The same dose of ADV yielded a significantly less robust inhibitory effect. Compound 1 can clear HBV from hepatic cells and may represent a therapeutic agent to treat HBV infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Toll-like receptor 22 (TLR22) plays a crucial role in response to virus infection by recognizing double stranded RNA (dsRNA) in aquatic animals. In the present study, a TLR22 homologue gene was identified and characterized from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) (CiTLR22). CiTLR22 genomic sequence comprises 4754 base pairs (bp), containing one intron. The cDNA sequence consists of 3831bp, encoding a protein of 954 amino acid residues. CiTLR22 was constitutively expressed in all 15 investigated tissues, highly in gill and lowly in liver and spleen. The expression profile of CiTLR22 in spleen was rapidly and significantly up-regulated at 6h (456.13-fold, P <0.05), then rapidly recovered to normal level at 12h (P >0.05) post-injection of grass carp reovirus (GCRV). The expression levels of CiTLR22 were rapidly elevated post-poly(I:C) stimulation in dose- and time-dependent manners in CIK (C. idella kidney) cell line. After GCRV infection, CiTLR22 transcripts were inhibited at the early stage, then were up-regulated and reached a peak at 24h post-infection, latterly down-regulated in CIK cell culture. In the whole genomic sequence, six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected. Five of them were sited in the coding region and all synonymous, and another located in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR). The following SNP analysis revealed that 2406 C/T was just a mutation. Only 417 G/T was significantly associated with the resistance of grass carp to GCRV both in genotype (P =0.013) and allele (P =0.015). −8 A/T and 2574 C/T, 863 C/T and 1923 G/T, 863 C/T and 2574 C/T were pairwise linkage disequilibrium. None of the haplotype was associated with the resistance of grass carp to GCRV. The results indicate that CiTLR22 plays an important role in the responses to dsRNA and GCRV, and is partially inhibited by GCRV in vitro. The potential molecular marker lays foundation for the selective breeding of the GCRV-resistant grass carp. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Several studies found that adiponectin, an adipokine withstands atherosclerosis in vivo, is significantly increased in subjects with diabetic nephropathy (DN), but its clinical meaning remains unclear. For its structural similarity to complement C1q and collagen, we performed this study to explore the relationship between adiponectin and the vascular endothelial function alterations in DN patients. 50 type 2 diabetic patients without clinical cardiovascular complications were assigned to control group, microalbuminuria group (Micro-MA), and macroalbuminuria group (Macro-MA) according to the Mogensen''s criteria. Plasma adiponectin and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were detected. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), nitroglycerin-induced dilatation (NID) and cardiologic parameters were measured by ultrasound cardiogram. Plasma adiponectin level was significantly and gradually increased in agreement with the amount of urine albumin excretion. sVCAM-1 was higher in Micro-MA and Macro-MA patients than in the controls, but it was comparable between the former 2 groups. FMD and NID were both remarkably decreased in Macro-MA group compared with Micro-MA and control group. For the whole subjects, plasma adiponectin was negatively related to FMD (r =−0.397, P <0.01) and NID (r =−0.413, P <0.01). These results suggest that increased plasma adiponectin may predict co-existing vascular endothelial dysfunction in DN patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Post-migration infection and domestic transmission of HIV-1 between immigrants and local population are critical for the HIV epidemic, but have not been addressed thus far in China. Transmission clusters were analyzed with two cluster reconstruction methods, HIV-TRACE and Cluster Picker, using 1695 HIV-1 pol sequences obtained from 139 HIV-infected foreigners and 1556 Chinese natives in Guangzhou, China from 2008 to 2012. The geographic origin of the HIV-1 sequences was further determined by PastML while the factors associated with recent HIV-1 transmission were documented by logistic regression analysis. HIV-1 genotypes that are prevalent in African and East Asian countries were identified in HIV-infected Chinese subjects and vice versa. In addition, more NRTI drug resistance mutations were found in HIV-infected foreigners than in native Chinese (p < 0.001). HIV-1 transmission between HIV-infected foreigners and native Chinese individuals was documented in 12.95% (18/139) of the HIV-infected foreigners. Furthermore, Asian (odds ratio [OR] = 3.45), male (OR = 16.88) and those with known HIV-1 infection routes (OR = 3.23) were more likely associated with recent HIV-1 transmission in China. The Chinese natives linked to recent HIV-1 transmission were more likely to be infected through men who have sex with men (OR = 3.05) or people who inject drugs (OR = 3.05), rather than by heterosexual transmission. Our study demonstrates the impact of recent HIV-1 transmission between HIV-infected foreigners and Chinese natives on the HIV-1 epidemic in Guangzhou, China. Moreover, the results highlight the importance of phylogenetic analysis of HIV-1 surveillance data and the need for specific prevention strategies that target the immigrant population. • The introduction of HIV-1 clades from foreign immigrants increased genetic diversity of HIV-1 in China. • 12.95% of HIV-infected foreigners involved in the recent HIV-1 transmission with local Chinese natives. • Phylogenetic analysis and transmission network construction of HIV-1 surveillance data are important for precise prevention of HIV-1 epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies on zooplankton resting eggs have focused on subtidal seafloors, but ignored intertidal zones. The hypothesis that intertidal zones have comparable community of resting eggs as subtidal seafloors was tested by investigating the mudflats and creeks of the Yangtze River Estuary with the reference of nearby subtidal sediments. A total of 25 species of resting eggs were identified using DNA barcoding of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase subunit I. Rotifers and copepods occupied 32% and 24% of taxa, respectively. The remaining species included cladocerans, insects, arachnids, sponges and bryozoans. Both the abundance and species richness of resting eggs did not differ significantly between the intertidal and subtidal zones. Similarly, the intertidal zones had the comparable community structure as the subtidal seafloors. The intertidal mudflats and creeks, however, differed significantly in the abundance, species richness, and community structure of resting eggs. The distance to the low-tide mark, clay content, and chlorophyll a explained the main variations of egg communities. Most abundance and species richness of resting eggs occurred within the upper 15 cm sediments and greatly declined with increasing depth. Zooplankton communities were reconstructed by combining the sedimentation rate and the vertical distribution of resting eggs. Freshwater cladocerans and rotifers declined with an increase of estuarine and coastal copepods over past ten years. These results demonstrate that resting eggs in intertidal mudflats and creeks were comparable to these in subtidal zones, and were natural archives for zooplankton responses to estuarine environments. They may serve as a new link between intertidal zones and open waters, facilitate zooplankton dispersal by waterbirds, and recover past communities. • Zooplankton resting eggs occurred in intertidal mudflats and creeks. • DNA barcoding identified 25 species of resting eggs. • Intertidal zones and subtidal seafloors had comparable community compositions. • Resting eggs in sediment cores can recover past zooplankton communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This assay can determine zeranol and its five family analogues in milk. • The cutoff values for zeranol and its analogues were all 10 ng/mL coincidentally. • The lower detection limits for zeranol and its analogues were all below 0.3 ng/mL. • The detection time of this assay is less than 15 min. Based on colloidal gold and broad-spectrum monoclonal antibody that binds to zeranol and its five analogues with high sensitivity, a lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) in a competitive format was developed to specifically determine residues of zeranol, an illegal growth promoter in livestock. In this study, the assay had high sensitivity and was broad-spectrum only for zeranol and its five analogues, and the results were obtained within 10 min without needing sophisticated procedures. The cutoff values for zeranol and its five analogues were 10 ng/mL, and the IC 50 values for zeranol, β-zearalanol, zearalanone, α-zearalenol, β-zearalenol and zearalenone were 1.250, 1.800, 1.775, 1.225, 1.709 and 1.319 ng/mL, respectively. The recovery rates were ranged from 85.6 to 93.9%, with the coefficient of variations less than 12.4%. The results demonstrated that the LFIA could be used for rapid, simultaneous, semi-quantitative and quantitative detection of residues of zeranol and its five analogous in milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An indoor test for 2D chloride diffusion under real-time tidal cycle is studied. • Quantified index of the heterogeneity of concrete materials (HCMs) is provided. • Effect of heterogeneity of concrete materials on 2D chloride diffusion is explored. • Time & HCMs-dependent 2D chloride diffusion coefficient model is established. • Model of 2D chloride diffusion concentration considering the HCMs is proposed. Chloride ingression into reinforced concrete (RC) is currently considered an important reason behind the deterioration of RC structures exposed to aggressive environments. Previous studies have been mostly devoted to investigations on the one-dimensional transport characteristics of chloride in concrete; however, for the RC structures exposed to marine environment, the corners and edges of various components are often subjected to two-dimensional chloride penetration. Moreover, concrete is generally considered a typical heterogeneous material because of its coarse aggregate being randomly distributed in a cement paste. Both the two-dimensional chloride diffusion behaviour and the heterogeneity of concrete materials have large influences on the chloride concentration distribution in concrete. For the investigations in this paper, using the coarse aggregate volume fraction (CAVF) to quantify the heterogeneity of concrete materials, an indoor experiment for exploring the two-dimensional chloride diffusion behavior of concrete under real-time tidal cycles in a marine environment was carried out. The two-dimensional chloride diffusion concentrations within concrete specimens cast using different CAVFs of V ca = 0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 were tested at various exposure periods of t = 30, 70, 100, 140, and 180 days. The decreased percentages for the tested two-dimensional chloride diffusion concentrations increased with increasing CAVF, and the percentage values decreased from −4.95%, −5.22%, −6.29%, and −7.46% to −65.52%, −73.68%, −91.56%, and −97.22% for V ca = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 in relation to V ca = 0 in the diagonal sample holes of the concrete specimens, respectively. The quantitative influence of V ca = 0.5 on the two-dimensional chloride diffusivity showed an average reduction of approximately 50.79% for each exposure period in relation to the specimen values for V ca = 0. On the basis of the two impact factors related to the exposure period (I f (t)) and the CAVF (I f (V ca)), a time-dependent model for predicting the two-dimensional chloride diffusion concentration in concrete by accounting for the heterogeneity of concrete materials was developed and compared with those determined by the meso-scopic numerical simulation method and physical experiment. The comparisons exhibited that the two-dimensional chloride concentrations assessed by the model and numerical simulation were almost within a ±20% error margin, validating the accuracy, correctness and reasonability of the prediction model developed in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Both FA and CG can improve the chloride binding capability of concrete. • The optimal content of FA and CG are both in a range from 20% to 30%. • The binding capability of OPC and FA can be simplified by a power function of time. • A semi-empirical model is proposed to describe chloride binding capacity. • The effects of environment and w/c on chloride binding capability are studied. Wide application of green concrete mixed with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) can result in the reduction of energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission from cement production. Adequate aluminum in SCMs can improve the chloride binding capacity of green concrete to decrease the free chloride concentration in pore solution, reduce the corrosion risk and enhance the structural durability. Thus, high-aluminum fly ash (FA) and coal gangue (CG) can be regarded as potential SCMs for reinforced concrete structures exposed to the marine environment. This study investigated the chloride binding capacity of FA and CG concrete in the marine environment and the effects of the environment (salt fog and tidal zone) and water to cement ratio (w/c) on the chloride binding capacity. The replacement ratios of cement by FA or CG were designed to be 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. The results indicated that FA and CG could significantly improve the chloride binding capacity and the optimal contents of both SCMs are in a range from 20% to 30%. The chloride binding capacity is time-dependent and can be described well by linear binding isotherm. Furthermore, the chloride binding capacity in salt fog is lower than that in the tidal zone and the binding capacity increases with an increase of w/c. Finally, a semi-empirical model was proposed to evaluate the chloride diffusion and predict the chloride concentration considering the effect of chloride binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The effect of minimum freezing temperature on chloride diffusion is investigated. • In tidal zone, frost damage significantly affects chloride diffusion in concrete. • A model is proposed to predict the chloride profiles of frost-damaged concrete. A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of freeze–thaw (FT) cycles on mechanical properties and chloride permeability of concrete with the strength class of C30 in this paper. The mechanical property tests were performed on the specimens subjected to 0, 5, 15, 30, 50, 75 and 100 standard FT cycles to determine the compressive strength, normalized dynamic elastic modulus (NDEM) and mass loss. Also, the chloride natural diffusion tests of concrete specimens, after 0, 5, 15, 30 and 50 FT cycles, were conducted in a self-design tidal cycling simulation device to investigate the chloride ingress into concrete in marine environment of tidal zone. Based on the Fick's second law, a time-dependent model was developed to predict the chloride profiles of frost-damaged concrete. Additional FT cycling tests at different minimum temperatures of freezing process (−4 and −11 °C) and the chloride natural diffusion tests were conducted to study the effect of minimum temperature on the chloride diffusion in concrete. The experimental results revealed the significant influence of FT action on the mass loss, compressive strength and NDEM. After 50 FT cycles, the mean of NDEM dropped to 60%, indicating that the specimen was destroyed by FT action. With the decrease of minimum freezing temperature, the loss of NDEM increased apparently, performing a good linear relation. A substantial effect of FT damage on the chloride profiles was observed: compared to the counterparts of the control groups without being exposed to FT attack, chloride concentration was larger for the frost-damaged concrete, and this difference increased with the extension of exposure duration. A linear relation between the apparent chloride diffusion coefficient and the loss of NDEM was also obtained regardless of the exposure time. Moreover, it was found that the proposed model was applicable for the prediction of chloride profiles in concrete subjected to FT cycles at different minimum freezing temperatures. In other words, the proposed model can be used to describe the chloride ingress into frost-damaged concrete, regardless of the cause of the damage (due to the number of FT cycles or the minimum freezing temperature). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcement in uncracked concrete was simulated by a test method combining an artificial-natural diffusion test (ANDT) and an accelerated chloride migration test (ACMT). The electrochemical kinetics of the corrosion process were evaluated by linear polarization resistance (LPR), weak polarization technology (WPT) and Tafel test, which indicates that the corrosion process is mainly under anodic control. Based on the hypothesis of anodic diffusion control, a semi-empirical prediction model for the corrosion rate in reinforced concrete has been proposed. This model reflects the effects of concrete resistivity, chloride content, chloride diffusion coefficient and concrete cover thickness on the corrosion rate. It also provides a non-destructive method to evaluate the corrosion rate of steel bars in uncracked concrete, which makes it convenient and available to the engineering community. • The limiting step of steel bar corrosion in uncracked concrete is investigated. • The corrosion in tidal zone and salt fog appears to be under anodic control. • A test method combining ANDT and ACMT is applied to simulate the corrosion process. • A semi-empirical prediction model of corrosion rate is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]