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• The demodulation method includes quadrature demodulation, digital subdivision and averaging. • The quadrature demodulation is applied to the coarse signal processing of the displacement, while the digital subdivision is used for the fine signal processing, which significantly increases the resolution ratio of the displacement value. • The averaging employs the equalization for a series of successively original data, dramatically improving the displacement resolution, as well greatly decreasing the volume of the original calculation data. • The demodulation method has a simple hardware and algorithm, but still has a good performance compared with the previous methods. A demodulation method including quadrature demodulation, digital subdivision and averaging is presented to perform the reconstruction of the vibration displacement waveform in the primary vibration calibration with nanometer accuracy by simple hardware and algorithms. The quadrature demodulation is applied to the coarse signal processing of the displacement, while the digital subdivision is used for the fine signal processing. The averaging employs the equalization for a series of successively original data, dramatically improving the displacement resolution and greatly decreasing the volume of the original calculation data. The principle for the demodulation method is introduced in detail and simulated by software. The reconstruction of the displacement waveform with a high precision and a high resolution was realized and verified in the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Quality disclosure considering food quality deterioration is considered. • Asymmetric information in a food supply chain is investigated. • The interplay between quality disclosure and information sharing is analyzed. The effects of food product quality disclosure on enhancing food quality transparency have drawn wide attention to food supply chain management. However, demand information asymmetry in the vertical direction of food supply chains hinders the supplier's quality disclosure due to the fact that the supplier is uncertain whether the profits brought by quality disclosure can offset the disclosure costs. To overcome this challenge, this paper analyzes the information interaction in food supply chains including one leading supplier who provides consumers food with uncertain quality information and two following retailers who own demand information privately; the supplier provides preservation service for the food to stimulate the demand and makes the quality disclosure decision based on the profit trade-off between disclosure and not disclosure. Our research shows that cost-effective preservation service can stimulate two retailers to share information. To avoid high information leakage, two retailers will face the prisoner's dilemma when they achieve the final equilibrium under certain conditions. If the supplier discloses information about food with high quality, it will deepen the information leakage. Higher preservation service efficiency can avoid the retailers' prisoner's dilemma, whereas information disclosure of high-quality products may make the prisoner's dilemma worse. The numerical example shows that more accurate information signals and more intense competition urge the supplier to disclose quality information. A subsidy mechanism is designed for the supplier to motivate the retailers to provide information, which enables supply chain members to gain more profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Determined by DRX, the Mg-Y-Nd-Zr-Gd alloy does not exhibit the common basal texture at 500 °C, and significant of non-basal dislocations activated during the deformation process. • CDRX caused by the absorption of dislocations at LAGBs. The distribution of LAGBs is influenced by the local strain. • There is a direct correlation between the orientation of dynamically recrystallized grains and the involved slip system. • With the involvement of multiple slip systems, the crystal rotation on both sides of the dynamic recrystallization interface is complex and DRXed grains exhibit a more random orientation. Magnesium (Mg) alloys are known to exhibit strong basal texture following large plastic deformation. However, recent experimental studies have revealed that the Mg-Y-Nd-Zr-Gd series alloy displays a weak texture after undergoing 60% compression at 500 °C. The overall deformation texture is similar to that of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) subsets, and the (0001) pole figure of the deformed grain subsets does not concentrate entirely in the compression direction due to the activation of non-basal slip systems. It should be noted that DRX and non-basal slip systems cannot independently account for the final deformation texture. In this case, continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) occurs, where the segregation of rare earth (RE) elements at grain boundaries (GB) impedes the movement of existing GBs and prevents the occurrence of discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX). Low-angle grain boundaries (LAGB), which are subject to local strain-regulated distribution, continue to absorb dislocations and produce new CDRXed grains. Notably, non-basal slip systems play a role in the generation and subsequent orientation behavior of DRXed grains. As DRX progresses, complex crystal rotations occur on both sides of the newly formed DRX interfaces, causing the orientation of the DRXed grains to gradually deviate from that of the deformed parent grains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among various technologies that go beyond lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal batteries (LMBs) have been intensively studied as the next generation of high-energy battery technology. However, achieving scalable production of dendrite-free lithium metal anodes (LMAs) for practical application is still a formidable challenge. Herein, we propose a simple and feasible method to modify lithium foil with graphene coatings, which is expected to be used in practical applications on a large scale. Graphene has a high specific surface area and excellent electrical conductivity, which can disperse current density, induce uniform Li deposition, and reduce the generation of dendrites and dead lithium. Meanwhile, the porous graphene coating layer is beneficial to the continuous compensation of irreversible active Li loss by the Li foil underneath the graphene coating. As a result, pouch cells using graphene coated Li anode display superior cyclic stability comparing to the cell with bare Li anode. The cell with a high areal capacity of 4 mAh cm−2 reaches a high capacity retention of 76% after 470 charge/discharge cycles at a current density of 0.1C. Modifying lithium foil with graphene coatings by a simple and feasible method enables long cycle life (470 cycles with 76% capacity retention) of Li metal pouch cells. [Display omitted] • A simple and feasible method to modify lithium foil with graphene coatings. • Graphene coating guides reversible Li plating/stripping. • The loose stacking of graphene sheets facilitates migration of Li+. • A long life of 470 cycles is achieved in a pouch cell using graphene coated Li. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strong metal-support interaction has been explored as an efficient way in heterogeneous catalysis to modulate the electronic structure of active metal for enhanced catalytic activity. Herein we report ultrasmall iridium nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped graphene sheets (Ir@N-G-750) with boosted electrocatalytic activity and durability toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) for highly efficient water electrolysis. As-reported Ir@N-G-750 demonstrates excellent HER and OER activity superior to benchmarking Pt/C and RuO 2 /IrO 2 catalysts, respectively in both acidic and alkaline media; as a bifunctional electrocatalyst, it enables long-term 1.6 V-overall water splitting at 20 mA cm−2 current density when loaded on planar glassy carbon electrode at a total Ir loading of 23 μg cm−2. Detailed investigation unveils abundant Ir–N coordination in Ir@N-G-750, which enhances the electron density and modifies electronic structure of Ir nanoparticles to facilitate the electrochemical reactions. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation indicates that N dopants can stabilize the supported Ir clusters and improve their electrocatalytic activities. Ir@N-G-750 demonstrates superb HER and OER activity and durability, outperforming Pt/C and IrO2 catalysts, respectively either in acid or in alkaline. Image 1 • Ir@N-G-750 exhibits HER/OER activity superior to Pt/C and RuO 2 /IrO 2 in acidic and alkaline media. • Ir@N-G-750 enables stable water electrolysis at 20 mA cm−1 at 1.6 V at low loading. • There are abundant Ir–N coordination and enhanced electron density on Ir metal. • DFT calculation rationalizes the improved electrocatalytic activity and durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metals have attracted particular research interest for sustainable ORR electrocatalysis but zero-valent ones have been often ignored. In this work metallic cobalt nanoparticle decorated graphene aerogel (CoNPs/rGO aerogel) was synthesized via a facile hydrothermal reaction, followed by thermal annealing in reducing H 2 atmosphere. As-prepared CoNPs/rGO aerogel demonstrates commercial Pt/C-comparable ORR activity through a predominant four-electron pathway, as well as excellent durability and methanol tolerance superior to Pt/C in alkaline medium. This work suggests that metallic cobalt nanoparticle is highly efficient to boost the ORR activity of neighboring carbon besides various cobalt compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimately coupled photocatalysis and biodegradation (ICPB) is a promising technology to remove refractory contaminants from water. The key to successful ICPB is a carrier capable of accumulating biofilm and adhering photocatalyst firmly. Herein, BC/g-C 3 N 4 was prepared into a three dimensional porous hydrogel and used as a carrier in ICPB system for the first time. Degradation experiments revealed that the removal rate of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) in water by the ICPB system was 96.0% after 10 h, which was significantly higher than that by the photocatalysis (PC, 76.3%), biodegradation (B, 32.5%), adsorption (AD, 17.2%), and photolysis (P, 5.0%) systems. Photo-electrochemical tests confirmed that ICPB system had superior electron transfer ability between photocatalysts and microorganisms. The removal efficiency of COD proved that microorganisms played an important role in the mineralization process of TCH by the ICPB system. After the ICPB degradation experiment, microorganisms maintained high activity and Pseudomonas , Burkholderiaceae and Flavobacterium which had TCH degradation or electron transport ability, were enriched. In conclusion, the novel ICPB carrier overcame shortcomings of the traditional ICPB carrier and the novel ICPB system had superior degradation performance for TCH. This study provided a possible method to promote the practical application of ICPB technology. [Display omitted] • A novel BC/g-C 3 N 4 porous hydrogel carrier used in ICPB system was developed. • Photocatalyst and biofilm could be adhered to the novel carrier firmly. • Efficient and stable removal of TCH by the novel ICPB system was achieved. • The novel ICPB system had excellent electron transfer ability. • Microorganisms maintained high activity and succeeded in a direction conducive to degrading TCH in ICPB system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A modified resonance condition for the stepped resonators. • Numerical calculation of sound field in the stepped resonators. • Distribution of pressure amplitude along the axis of the stepped resonators. Investigation of finite amplitude standing waves generated by boundary driving in the stepped acoustic resonator has been carried out both theoretically and experimentally to derive an appropriate tool to design resonators that have characteristics suitable for specific applications such as a microphone calibration system with a higher-pressure level. Initially, a modified resonance condition is proposed, which is deduced from the transfer matrix method and the characteristics of the standing wave resonator. The predictions of the resonance frequencies in a cylindrical resonator are in excellent agreement with those obtained by analytic formula in previous studies. Then, the modified resonance condition is applied to calculate the resonance frequencies of a stepped resonator. The boundary driving is provided by a piston at the open end. The resonant response in the cylindrical and stepped resonator, including the pressure amplitudes, the pressure waveform and the distribution of pressure amplitude along the axis, is calculated numerically by the finite volume method, which is a preliminary prediction of finite amplitude standing waves in the resonators. The calculated results of the stepped resonator are verified in the experiment, in which a stepped acoustic resonator is connected to a loudspeaker functioning as the piston. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary For adaptation to complex cellular functions, dynamic cytoskeletal networks are required. There are two major components of the cytoskeleton, microtubules and actin filaments, which form an intricate network maintaining an exquisite cooperation to build the physical basis for their cellular function. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism underlying their synergism. Here, we show that in Caco2 epithelial cells, noncentrosomal microtubules crosstalk with F-actin through their minus ends and contribute to the regulation of focal adhesion size and cell migration. We demonstrate that ACF7, a member of the spectraplakin family of cytoskeletal crosslinking proteins, interacts with Nezha (also called CAMSAP3) at the minus ends of noncentrosomal microtubules and anchors them to actin filaments. Those noncentrosomal microtubules cooperate with actin filaments through retrograde flow to keep their length and orientation perpendicular to the cell edge as well as regulate focal adhesion size and cell migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ultra-sensitive electrochemical sensor for the detection of insulin was fabricated, using low-cost and environmentally friendly nickel nanoparticles (NiNPs) by ion implantation. The morphology and structure of the NiNPs are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing diameters ranging from 4 to 8 nm. The insulin assay performances were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and chronoamperometry (I–t). The NiNPs-modified indium tin oxide electrode (NiNPs/ITO) showed excellent analytical features, including ultra-high sensitivity (2140 μA μM −1 ) for detecting low concentrations of insulin, an incredibly low detection limit (10 pM) and a wide dynamic range (100 pM to 2400 pM and 1 nM to 125 nM). In addition, the NiNPs/ITO electrode was also used to analyze the insulin concentration in bovine insulin injections. The NiNPs/ITO electrode is expected to be used as a potential biosensor for insulin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal exfoliation is a popular approach to prepare thin-layered graphene in large scale. Generally believed that the microstructure and surface chemistry of the products could tailored by the variation of ambient gas pressure, temperature, acid and organic substances during thermal exfoliation of graphite oxide (GO). In this work, we investigated the effect of physical pre-treatment process and acid assisting on the texture, surface state and electrochemical performance of the resulting thermal exfoliated graphene, and found that the different physical pre-treatment process had great influence on the microstructure and specific surface area of graphene. Especially the graphene formed by sonication treatment consisted by thin layers with lots of wrinkles delivered the highest specific surface area of 678 m 2 /g. Adding volatile acid in the process of pre-treatment could decrease their specific surface area. But the graphene obtained with acid assisting was possessed of larger pore volume and improved conductivity which promoted their electrochemical performance effectively. The important role of physical pre-treatment process and acid assisting process in expansion-exfoliation of GO was discussed in detail in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new pH fluorescent probe Nap-MOR was synthesized; • Nap-MOR was used for evaluating the freshness of chicken breast meat; • The detection range of Nap-MOR covers normal fresh, defective and spoiled meat. A fluorescent probe, Nap-MOR, based on the naphthalimide fluorophore, was designed and developed for pH measurement in aqueous solutions. Nap-MOR had a close linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and pH, in the range 4.5–8, which covers the full range of pH found in normal fresh, defective and spoiled meat. pH measurement with Nap-MOR was free from interference by a wide range of ions and biochemicals found in meat and the results were not significantly different in comparison with a pH meter. Therefore, Nap-MOR is a robust and convenient way to evaluate the freshness of chicken breast meat by measuring its pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine biofouling is a serious environmental problem worldwide. As an effort to find environmental friendly antifoulants, indole derivatives were determined for their activities to inhibit the growth of bacteria and diatom. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of indole derivatives against bacteria were very low, especially for 6-chloroindole. It was proved that 6-chloroindole obviously inhibited the growth of bacteria, interfered with the formation of bacterial biofilm, destroyed bacterial cell morphology and also inhibited the growth of diatom Cylindrotheca sp. as well. By using noninvasive micro-test technique (NMT), 6-chloroindole triggered algal cellular Ca 2+ efflux. The highest value was 72.03 pmol cm −2 s −1 , 10.6 times of the control group. The present studies indicated that indole derivatives might have the potential to be new antifouling agents because of their excellent antibacterial and anti-algal activities. At the same time, Ca 2+ efflux might be one of the mechanisms that indole derivatives inhibited the growth of diatom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile and low-cost method is developed to ion implant platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) onto indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode. This modified electrode is eco-friendly without the use of any linking chemicals. The PtNPs formed on the electrode are in the zero-valent metallic state with a size distribution in the range of 5–12 nm. The modified electrode surface becomes smoother after platinum ion implantation and the PtNPs formed on the electrode. Electrochemical performances are measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometric. The PtNPs/ITO electrode shows prominent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of formaldehyde with long-term stability, which could be useful in fuel cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical park is regarded as a major contributor of VOCs emissions in China. Currently, a green and safe technology, microbial fuel cells (MFCs), is being developed for the VOCs abatement. Noting that effective electron transfer is critical to the MFC performance. In this work, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) was dosed as an electron shuttle to improve the removal of the typical toxic VOCs, toluene. The experimental results revealed that the performance of toluene removal and power generation were accelerated with the dosage of 0.2–2 μM FMN. With the addition of 1 μM FMN, the removal efficiency, the maximum output voltage and the coulombic efficiency of MFC were increased by 18.4%, 64.4% and 56.3%, respectively. However, a further increase in FMN concentration to 2 μM caused a reduction in the removal efficiency and coulombic efficiency. The images of scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that the presence of FMN greatly promoted the microbial growth and its activity. Furthermore, microbial community analysis also implied that the moderate dosage of FMN (0.2–1 μM) was beneficial for the growth of the typical exoelectrogens, Geobacter sp., and thus the coulombic efficiency was increased. In addition, an electron transfer pathway involving in cytochrome b , OMCs, cytochrome c , and MtrA was proposed based on the cyclic voltammetry analysis. This work will provide a fundamental theoretical support for its application of toxic VOCs abatement from the chemical park. [Display omitted] • Gaseous toluene abatement was enhanced by FMN-stimulated MFC. • Output voltage was increased by 64.4% with 1 μmol/L FMN. • High power output was attributed to the growth of Geobacter sp. • An electron transport pathway in the FMN-stimulated MFC was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its woven structure, rich inner voids and high electrical conductivity, carbon fiber cloth (CFC) is considered as a promising three-dimensional (3D) current collector for lithium metal anode. However, it is usually inevitable that metallic Li plates on top of CFC as Li ions are instantaneously reduced when they reach the upper surface of CFC, which impedes the utilization of the inner space of CFC for accommodating Li deposition and causes poor cyclic stability of Li anode. In this study, by decorating a thin layer of graphene oxide (GO) on the surface of CFC using an electrophoresis method, an all-carbon 3D current collector with electrical conductivity differences in the vertical direction is fabricated. The graphene oxide layer with poor electrical conductivity induces downward electroplating of metallic Li into the inner voids of CFC, which fully exploits the effect of CFC as a 3D current collector in governing the plating/stripping behaviors of Li. As a result, the full cell using the GO modified CFC as the negative electrode and NCM811 positive electrodes can maintain 80% of its initial capacity after 460 cycles at a high current of 0.5C charge and 1C discharge. An all-carbon 3D current collector with vertical electro-conductivity differences is prepared by coating a thin graphene oxide layer on the surface of carbon fiber cloth to avoid the "top-growth" phenomenon of Li metal. [Display omitted] • A layer of graphene oxide is assembled on carbon fiber cloths by electrophoresis. • The 3D current collector inhibits "top-growth" phenomenon of lithium metal. • A long lifespan of 460 cycles is achieved in a full cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective electron transfer (ET) between microorganisms and electrodes is essential for the toluene degradation and power generation in a microbial fuel cell (MFC). In this work, the neutral red, with excellent electrochemical reversibility and compatible redox potential as NADH/NAD+, was selected as electron mediator to boost the performance of the MFC. Experimental results revealed that, with the 0.5 μM neutral red, the removal efficiency and coulombic efficiency of the gaseous toluene powered MFC was increased by ~19% and ~400%, respectively. However, further increase in neutral red concentration resulted in a decreased in removal efficiency and coulombic efficiency, which was attributed by the toxicity of neutral red to the microbes. The microbial community analysis indicated that, with the dosage of the neutral red, the dominated bacteria shifted from Geobacter to Ignavibacteriales , resulting in a high coulombic efficiency. With the further increase in the neutral red, the amount of Ignavibacteriales gradually decreased and thus the coulombic efficiency declined at a high neutral red concentration. Based on the cyclic voltammetry analysis, an electron transport pathway involving neutral red, cytochromes, and OMCs in neutral red mediated MFC was proposed. Overall, the dosage of neutral not only enhanced the electron transfer but also induced the growth of the exoelectrogens, and thus significantly improve the MFC performance. [Display omitted] • Gaseous toluene biodegradation by neutral red mediated MFC was enhanced. • Coulombic efficiency was increased by ~400% with neutral red. • High coulombic efficiency was attributed to microbial community variation. • An electron transport pathway in the neutral red mediated MFC was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Long-term effect of information sharing on organic farming adoption. • Study sustainable agriculture by employing evolutionary game theory. • Steady strategies after the evolution in agri-food systems. • Supply chain coordination for sustainable development in agri-food systems. Consumer demand information on healthy food can be readily collected and shared through big data technologies. However, the impact of demand information sharing on the evolution of organic farming is still less understood. Consequently, we use the evolutionary game approach to study the long-term effect of information sharing on the producers' organic farming adoption based on the profit matrix. Considering that the retailer has some private demand information, the basic models as Stackelberg games in normal forms consisting of one retailer and one producer under information symmetry and information asymmetry are established to form the profit matrix. We also employ the method of cooperation on the forecast to realize information sharing and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of information sharing. Then, we analyze the evolutionarily stable strategy of several producers and retailers playing as a two-player game. The results indicate that (Conversion, Sharing) equilibrium can be easier to achieve with higher customers' green preference and lower effort cost, whereas (Conversion, Nonsharing) equilibrium can be easier to achieve with more accurate forecast information. More importantly, a higher initial conversion state prompts the retailers to evolve to sharing more quickly and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Au nanoparticles exhibit good electrochemical performance containing carbon nanoparticles. • The AuNFs-CNPs/CP sensor detected 5-mTHF concentrations in the ranges from 1–5 mg L−1 and 1–20 μg L−1, and the limit of detection of 1 μg L−1. • The AuNFs-CNPs/CP sensor found that the 5-mTHF in folate-rich eggs produced was twice than that of ordinary eggs. An electrochemical deposition method was used to fabricate a gold nanoflower (AuNF) and carbon nanoparticle (CNP) modified carbon paper (CP) sensor (AuNFs-CNPs/CP) for the low-cost detection of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-mTHF) in egg yolk. AuNF morphology and structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), revealing nanoflower sizes in the 50 to 200 nm range. AuNFs formed on the sensor were in the Au0. We evaluated 5-mTHF assay performance using cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The AuNFs-CNPs/CP sensor detected 5-mTHF concentrations in the ranges from 1 to 5 mg L−1 and 1–20 μg L−1, with an excellent limit of detection of 1 μg L−1 and good selectivity toward 5-mTHF, when compared to other potentially interfering molecules in samples. The AuNFs-CNPs/CP sensor was also used to detect 5-mTHF in folate-rich, and was found to be twice than that of ordinary egg yolk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An impedance analyzer for studying the sensitivity of humidity sensors is proposed. • Efficiency is improved by 32-channel measurement technique. • Range and accuracy are improved by automatic switching range and compensation method. The design of a high performance, multi-channel impedance measurement system for humidity sensing characteristics test of polymer humidity sensors is presented. The relay modules with negligible contact resistance are designed to accomplish 32-channel measurement and automatic switching range. The division of the wide impedance range and the selection of the corresponding feedback resistance for automatic switching range are so designed as to satisfy the actual scale range of the ADC module for getting high accuracy measurement. An algorithm of compensation considering the parasitic parameters both in the measurement and feedback circuits is designed to further improve measurement accuracy. The whole measurement is automatically implemented by a field-programmable gate array for signal generation and logic calculation and a digital signal processor for frequency-spectra analysis. The results of the uncertainty analysis and tests revealed that our system was quite adequate to efficient humidity sensing characteristics test as opposed to the existing devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper mainly investigates the information disclosure decisions in an organic food supply chain including one farmers' organization and one small-scale producer (producer 2). We find that when demand competition is fierce, the organization is reluctant to disclose demand information. Producer 2 is willing to disclose product information facing a low portion of revenue sharing and a high safety perception. A "win-win" situation for two producers can occur by means of group certification with a rational portion of revenue sharing. Interestingly, a more transparent market is not necessarily desirable for customers and social welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we evaluated the enrichment efficiency of lutein in eggs and its function in preventing fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in aged laying hens. Five groups of laying hens (65 wk old) were fed basal diets supplemented with 0, 30, 60, 90, or 120 mg/kg of lutein. The supplementation period lasted 12 wk followed by 2 wk of lutein depletion in feed. The results revealed that lutein efficiently enriched the egg yolks and improved their color with a significant increase in relative redness (P < 0.001). Lutein accumulation increased in the egg yolk until day 10, then depletion reached a minimum level after 14 d. Overall, zeaxanthin content in all the groups was similar throughout the experimental period. However, triglycerides and total cholesterol were significantly decreased in the liver (P < 0.05) but not significantly different in the serum (P > 0.05). In the serum, the lipid metabolism enzyme acetyl-CoA synthetase was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), whereas dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 was not significantly different (P > 0.05), and there was no statistical difference of either enzyme in the liver (P > 0.05). Regarding oxidation and inflammation-related indexes, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factors alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1 beta were decreased, whereas superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant capacity increased in the liver (P < 0.001). The function of lutein for the same indexes in serum was limited. It was concluded that lutein efficiently enriched the egg yolk of old laying hens to improve their color and reached the highest level on day 10 without being subject to a significant conversion into zeaxanthin. At the same time, lutein prevented liver steatosis in aged laying hens by exerting strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions, but also through the modulation of lipid metabolism, which may contribute to reducing the incidence of FLHS in poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioselenols are important substances for the maintenance of physiological balance and offer anticancer properties; however, their causal mechanisms and effectiveness have not been assessed. One way to explore their physiological functions is the in vivo detection of bioselenols at the molecular level, and one of the most efficient ways to do so is to use fluorescent probes. Various types of bioselenol-specific fluorescent probes have been synthesized and optimized using chemical simulations and by improving biothiol fluorescent probes. Here, we review recent advances in bioselenol-specific fluorescent probes for selenocysteine (Sec), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), and hydrogen selenide (H 2 Se). In particular, the molecular design principles of different types of bioselenols, their corresponding sensing mechanisms, and imaging applications are summarized. Image 1 • Fluorescent probes for detecting Sec, TrxR, and H 2 Se are summarized. • Comprehensive research on bioselenol-specific fluorescent probes is collated. • Design principles for bioselenol-specific fluorescent probes are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]