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Pincer complexes are widely used in organometallic and coordination chemistry. The role of antimony as a central donor atom in pincer ligands has been extensively explored in recent years. Although phenylenediamine derived PXP (X = B, Al, C, Si, Ge, Sn, N) type ligands exhibit diverse reactivity, analogues species based on antimony have been reported less frequently. Herein, we report a new PSbP complex and evaluate its reactivity. These species will broaden the family of phenylenediamine derived pincer complexes.

Proximity ligation assay (PLA) is a vigorously developed homogeneous immunoassay assisted by DNA combining dual recognition of target protein by pairs of proximity probes, in which the detection of protein is tactfully converted to the detection of DNA. The booming developments in PLA have enabled a variety of ultrasensitive assays for the detection of protein and this concept of PLA is also extended to the detection of nucleic acids and some small molecule. The association between PLA and electrochemical method, defined as electrochemical proximity ligation assay (ECPLA), has gained much interests in disease diagnosis, food safety and environmental assays with the advantages, such as broad range of targets, simplicity, low cost and rapid response. In this review, we took a different perspective to present the history of PLA, the classical ECPLA biosensing methodology as well as the developments of ECPLA based on several key parameters, such as sensitivity, selectivity, reusability and generalization. In addition, the developments of PLA with electrochemiluminescence as readout are also presented. Finally, perspective and some unresolved challenges in ECPLA that can potentially be addressed have also been discussed.

Generally, the hydrodynamics of a fish cage are investigated using numerical simulation, physical model experiments, and field measurements. However, these traditional research methods are time consuming and low in efficiency. In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) model is built such that the hydrodynamic characteristics of a fish cage in waves can be predicted rapidly. The training data of the ANN model are generated by a well-developed numerical model from our previous studies. The parameters in the hidden layer of the ANN model are determined considering the prediction accuracy of the hydrodynamic results of the fish cage. The ANN model is validated against a well-developed numerical model with satisfactory accuracy. Using the proposed ANN model, the hydrodynamic results of the fish cage including the maximum tension in mooring lines, minimum effective-volume ratio, and maximum stress of the floating collar are predicted for various waves. Overall, the predicted results indicate a trend consistent with that of the previous studies. The present model can potentially forecast disasters for an oncoming typhoon, which is important for the hazard prevention of a fish farm.

BACKGROUND Acute liver injury (ALI) caused by sepsis is a fearful disease with high mortality and poor prognosis. This study aimed to explore the roles and mechanism of MaR1 in lipopolysaccharide/d-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN)-induced ALI. METHODS We established an ALI mouse model induced by LPS/D-GalN. Each group was treated with or without LPS/D-GalN or MaR1. For the vitro experiments, RAW264.7, NCTC1469 cells, and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were stimulated with LPS. The effects of MaR1 on the reactive oxygen species (ROS), pyroptosis and inflammatory response in macrophages were investigated. RESULTS MaR1 significantly inhibited an excessive inflammatory response and proinflammatory markers during LPS/D-GalN-induced ALI. MaR1 markedly decreased the levels of ROS, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in macrophages, and limited hepatocyte apoptosis in vitro. Upon exploring the mechanisms underlying the protective role of MaR1, we found MaR1 markedly upregulated the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and considerably reduced the phosphorylation of p38, ERK, and nuclear factor-kappa B-p65. Knocking down Nrf2 decreased the effect of MaR1. Furthermore, we observed that MaR1 reduced inflammatory injury by inhibiting M1 macrophages and promoting M2 macrophage polarization. Finally, we observed that MaR1 could inhibit the production of gasdermin D N-terminus (GSDMD-N) in vivo. In vitro, MaR1 could significantly suppressed the expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, GSDMD-N, and IL-1β caused by LPS and nigericin stimulation in BMDMs. CONCLUSION MaR1 could ameliorate inflammation during LPS/D-GalN induced ALI by suppressing mitogen-activated protein kinase /NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome-induced pyroptosis, activating macrophage M1/M2 polarization and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. This provides new evidence for the potential of developing MaR1 for ALI treatment.

Offshore net cages are aquaculture facilities that can provide satisfactory volumes of stocked fish. The safety of these structures is of great importance to aquaculture companies. Typhoons are considered to be the main cause of damage to offshore net cages. In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed to predict the structural failure of high-density polyethylene offshore net cages in typhoon waves. A case study was conducted where the ANN model was used to predict the structural failure of the offshore net cages around Nanji Island, Wenzhou, China, during Typhoon Maria. Field survey was performed to study the hydrodynamics of the offshore net cages in different wave conditions and the results were used as the training data for the ANN model. By classifying the structural failure, the damage levels of offshore net cages can be predicted and used with wave forecasting before typhoon landing. Field survey was carried out immediately after the typhoon. The prediction and field survey results showed that the proposed ANN model can accurately predict the damage levels of offshore net cages under the influence of typhoon waves.

A new application of metal organic framework (MOF) as a pseudo-capacitive material for supercapacitors is investigated. To this end, a simple nickel-based MOF, formulated Ni3(btc)2·12H2O, is synthesized via a hydrothermal reaction. As an electro-active material, such nickel-based MOF exhibits superior pseudo-capacitive behavior in KOH aqueous electrolyte with a high specific capacitance of 726 F g−1. Also, it displays good electrochemical stability with 94.6% of the initial capacitance over consecutive 1000 cycles. In addition, a simple asymmetric supercapacitor with a high energy density of 16.5 Wh kg−1 is successfully built using the nickel-based MOF as positive electrode and commercial activated carbon as negative electrode in KOH electrolyte.

The nucleation and growth of eutectic cell in hypoeutectic Al-Si alloy was investigated using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy equipped with electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD). By revealing the eutectic cells and analyzing the crystallographic orientation, it was found that both the eutectic Si and Al phases in an eutectic cell were not single crystal, representing an eutectic cell consisting of small ‘grains’. It is also suggested that the eutectic nucleation mode can not be determined based on the crystallographic orientation between eutectic Al phases and the neighboring primary dendrite Al phases. However, the evolution of primary dendrite Al phases affects remarkably the following nucleation and growth of eutectic cell. The coarse flake-fine fibrous transition of eutectic Si morphology involved in impurity elements modification may be independent of eutectic nucleation.

In-situ Al 3 Zr and Al 2 O 3 particulates reinforced aluminum matrix composites were fabricated by the direct melt reaction (DMR) technique in the system Al–Zr–O. Microstructures of the composites and crystal morphology of in-situ formed Al 3 Zr and Al 2 O 3 particulates were analyzed by scanning-electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Results indicated that in-situ formed Al 3 Zr and Al 2 O 3 particles were finer and well distributed in aluminum matrix. Al 3 Zr particulates with a tetragonal structure are mainly in the shape of polyhedron. A few of them are rectangular. The length/width ratio of the rectangular Al 3 Zr is less than 2.0 and the maximum size is 4 μm. In addition, submicro Al 2 O 3 particles with a hexagonal structure were also found in this system. Furthermore, it is found that twin may appear in the Al 3 Zr crystal. The twin plane is (1 14 ). The twinning direction is [221].

The amount of dendritic α-Al phase with varying Sr content in near-eutectic Al–11.6% Si alloy was measured by quantitative metallography analysis software and the correlation of mechanical properties of fully modified alloy with the amount of dendritic α-Al is discussed. Addition of Sr in Al–Si alloys results in a considerable increase of the amount of α-Al. Mechanical properties of the fully modified alloy are linearly related to the volume fraction of dendritic α-Al, which plays a key role in improving the mechanical properties of near-eutectic Al–Si alloys.

Reaction-processed Al-Cu/α-Al2O3 (p) composites, in which α-Al2O3 particles are distributed homogeneously, were fabricated via the chemical reactions between copper oxide (CuO) and aluminium. From the examination of the wear properties of the composites, it is proposed that the wear resistance of the composites is better than that of the corresponding matrix alloy, since α-Al2O3 particles play the main role in taking the external load and there is good interfacial cohesion between α-Al2O3 particles and the alloy matrix.

The chemical reactions in the CuO/Al system were studied via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometry. It is proposed that there are two main chemical reactions in the CuO/Al system, i.e. 6CuO+2Al=3Cu2O+Al2O3 and 3Cu2O+2Al=Al2O3+6Cu. The produced particles are 0.5–2.0 μm in size, which are believed suitable to be the reinforcement particles in aluminum (alloy) matrix composites.

Zinc oxide and aluminum powders were employed to produce α -Al 2 O 3 particle reinforced Al–Zn alloy matrix composites. The specimens, reaction-processed at different temperatures, were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometry. It is shown that a chemical reaction in ZnO/Al system is possible and that composites can be obtained by maintaining the compacts at 1243 K for 60 min. The thermodynamics and kinetics of the reaction in the ZnO/Al system are also discussed.