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Current challenges in visible and infrared image fusion include color information distortion, texture detail loss, and target edge blur. To address these issues, a fusion algorithm based on double-domain transform filter and nonlinear contrast transform feature extraction (DDCTFuse) is proposed. First, for the problem of incomplete detail extraction that exists in the traditional transform domain image decomposition, an adaptive high-pass filter is proposed to decompose images into high-frequency and low-frequency portions. Second, in order to address the issue of fuzzy fusion target caused by contrast loss during the fusion process, a novel feature extraction algorithm is devised based on a novel nonlinear transform function. Finally, the fusion results are optimized and color-corrected by our proposed spatial-domain logical filter, in order to solve the color loss and edge blur generated in the fusion process. To validate the benefits of the proposed algorithm, nine classical algorithms are compared on the LLVIP, MSRS, INO, and Roadscene datasets. The results of these experiments indicate that the proposed fusion algorithm exhibits distinct targets, provides comprehensive scene information, and offers significant image contrast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the distribution of coniferous forests holds significance for enhancing forestry efficiency and making informed policy decisions. Accurately identifying and mapping coniferous forests can expedite the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15, aimed at managing forests sustainably, combating desertification, halting and reversing land degradation, and halting biodiversity loss. However, traditional methods employed to identify and map coniferous forests are costly and labor-intensive, particularly in dealing with large-scale regions. Consequently, a methodological framework is proposed to identify coniferous forests in northwestern Liaoning, China, in which there are semi-arid and barren environment areas. This framework leverages a multi-classifier fusion algorithm that combines deep learning (U2-Net and Resnet-50) and shallow learning (support vector machines and random forests) methods deployed in the Google Earth Engine. Freely available remote sensing images are integrated from multiple sources, including Gaofen-1 and Sentinel-1, to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the results. The overall accuracy of the coniferous forest identification results reached 97.6%, highlighting the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. Further calculations were conducted to determine the area of coniferous forests in each administrative region of northwestern Liaoning. It was found that the total area of coniferous forests in the study area is about 6013.67 km2, accounting for 9.59% of northwestern Liaoning. The proposed framework has the potential to offer timely and accurate information on coniferous forests and holds promise for informed decision making and the sustainable development of ecological environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mantle metasomatism refers to the interaction between mantle melt, fluid, and mantle rock. It not only affects the physical and chemical properties of the lithospheric mantle but also plays an important role in the process of metal and gem mineralization. In order to explore the nature and evolution of metasomatism in the lithospheric mantle of the Mengyin area in the eastern part of the North China Craton, this paper combines the previous data of garnet inclusions in diamonds and analyzes the major and trace elements of garnet xenocrysts in the Shengli No. 1 kimberlite pipe from the EPMA and LA-ICP-MS experiments. The experiments show that the garnet xenocrysts of the Shengli No. 1 kimberlite pipe are mainly lherzolitic and harzburgitic garnets. The content of Zr and TiO2 in some garnets are low, which are the characteristics of depleted garnets. Conversely, another group of garnets display high Zr and TiO2 contents, indicative of high-temperature melt metasomatism. When comparing the Ti/Eu ratio of the depleted garnets to that of the primary mantle, a significantly lower value is observed. Additionally, the (Sm/Er)N value undergoes minimal changes, while the Zr/Hf value exceeds that of the primary mantle. These characteristics are indicators of carbonatite melt metasomatism. Garnets that are affected by high-temperature melt metasomatism exhibit low (Sm/Er)N content, a significant variation in the Ti/Eu ratio, and a Zr/Hf value greater than that of the primary mantle. These characteristics indicate the influence of kimberlite melt metasomatism. Garnets impacted by carbonatite melt metasomatism display a strong sinusoidal distribution pattern of rare earth elements (REE) and are often found as lherzolitic garnet xenocrysts and garnet inclusions in diamond. On the other hand, garnets influenced by kimberlite melt metasomatism exhibit a slight sinusoidal REE distribution pattern in harzburgitic garnets and a slight sinusoidal REE distribution or a flat pattern from medium rare earth elements (MREEs) to heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) in lherzolitic garnet xenocrysts. Based on these findings, it is evident that there are at least two types of metasomatism occurring in the lithospheric mantle of the Mengyin area in the eastern part of the North China Craton. The first type involves the metasomatism of early carbonatite melt to the mantle peridotite. Garnets formed under this condition exhibit high Sr and LREE contents, as well as low Zr, Hf, Ti, Y, and HREE contents, indicating depletion characteristics. The second type entails the metasomatism of late kimberlite melts affecting the mantle peridotite. Garnets formed under this process display high Zr, Hf, Ti, Y, and HREE contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional deep-learning-based fusion algorithms usually take the original image as input to extract features, which easily leads to a lack of rich details and background information in the fusion results. To address this issue, we propose a fusion algorithm, based on mutually guided image filtering and cross-transmission, termed MGFCTFuse. First, an image decomposition method based on mutually guided image filtering is designed, one which decomposes the original image into a base layer and a detail layer. Second, in order to preserve as much background and detail as possible during feature extraction, the base layer is concatenated with the corresponding original image to extract deeper features. Moreover, in order to enhance the texture details in the fusion results, the information in the visible and infrared detail layers is fused, and an enhancement module is constructed to enhance the texture detail contrast. Finally, in order to enhance the communication between different features, a decoding network based on cross-transmission is designed within feature reconstruction, which further improves the quality of image fusion. In order to verify the advantages of the proposed algorithm, experiments are conducted on the TNO, MSRS, and RoadScene image fusion datasets, and the results demonstrate that the algorithm outperforms nine comparative algorithms in both subjective and objective aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the influence of SiC on the composition and structure of mixed slag (blast-furnace slag: steel slag = 1:9), the chemical composition, equilibrium-phase composition, and microscopic morphological characteristics and elemental distribution in the microscopic region of the SiC-reagent-tempered slag samples were analyzed by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), FactSage7.1 thermodynamic analysis software, scanning electron microscope, and energy spectrum analyzer. It was found that the main physical phases of the tempered slag samples were magnesia–silica–calcite (Ca3Mg(SiO4)2, C3MS2), calcium–aluminum yellow feldspar (Ca2Al2SiO7, C2AS), C2S, and iron alloy. Theoretical calculations suggest that the experimental temperature should be higher than 1500 °C to facilitate the combination of P5+ with Fe and Mn in the liquid phase to form an alloy, reduce the P5+ content in the tempered slag, and create conditions for the self-powdering of the conditioned slag. The doping of the SiC reagent can increase the liquid phase line temperature and reduce the binary basicity in the liquid phase; the liquid phase line temperatures were 1150 °C, 1200 °C, and 1300 °C and the basicities in the liquid phase were 4.68, 4.13, and 3.10 for the doping amounts of 3%, 4%, and 5% of the SiC reagent, respectively. The mixed slag doped with 4% SiC reagent achieves self-powdering and reduction of ferroalloys during the air-cooling and cooling processes, realizing the purpose of "resource utilization" of blast-furnace slag and steel slag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SensorCraft is an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) system that integrates unmanned flight platforms and airborne antenna arrays. Under gust loads, the high–aspect–ratio, light–wing structure of SensorCraft has considerable bending and torsion deformation, affecting the flight performance of unmanned flight platforms and leading to the loss of antenna arrays' electromagnetic performance. Taking SensorCraft as the background, a wing conformal antenna array was designed, an aircraft model with a passive wingtip device was established, a control law was developed by the LQG/LTR method, and a gust alleviation active–passive combined control method of a "LQG/LTR active controller + passive wingtip device" was proposed. By constructing an unsteady aerodynamic reduced–order model (ROM) based on the Volterra series and a conformal array pattern fast method based on the modal form, the effectiveness of the gust alleviation active–passive combined control method on the aircraft platform and antenna array was analyzed. The results show that structural deformation of the wing conformal antenna leads to changes in the main lobe gain, beam direction, and sidelobe level. The active–passive gust alleviation method has obvious advantages. Compared with the LQG/LTR active gust alleviation method, the peak value of wingtip displacement is reduced by 15.6%, and the peak value of the gain loss is reduced by 0.72 dB, which is conducive to better performance of the airborne conformal antenna array. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to transform the crystalline form of Ca2SiO4 (C2S) in phosphorus-containing slag from monoclinic β-polycrystalline to square γ-polycrystalline, a volume expansion of about 11% was generated, which caused the phosphorus-containing slag to undergo self-powdering. The CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-MgO-MnO-P2O5-FeO slag system was analyzed using FactSage7.1 thermodynamic software, and the effects of different P2O5, FeO and basicity on the mineral phase composition of slag system were analyzed in the range of 1300~1700 °C. It was shown that P2O5, FeO and basicity all have an effect on the composition of the mineral phases. When the mass fraction of P2O5 in the slag was lower than 0.25%, it had less effect on the transformation of C2S crystalline structure. When the P2O5 content was higher than 0.25%, it was favorable to the generation of low-melting-point substances, but the P2O5 in the slag reacted with C2S in the silicate phase, making P5+ solidly soluble in C2S, inhibiting the transformation of β-C2S to γ-C2S and hindering the self-powdering of the slag. The FeO content in the slag system ranged from 20% to 28%, and as the FeO content increased, the C2S content in the silicate phase decreased from 33.3% to 25.9%, while the temperature at which the silicate was completely dissolved into the liquid phase decreased from 1600 °C to 1500 °C and the complete melting temperature of the slag decreased. The low FeO content facilitates the self-powdering of slag. In the high-phosphorus slag, at temperatures below 1450 °C, with the increase of basicity, the proportion of C2S in the silicate phase first increased and then decreased. With basicity at 1.8; the highest content of silicate phase, accounting for 33.7%; and the temperature exceeding 1450 °C, the silicate phase dissolved into the liquid phase, which is conducive to the removal of phosphorus from the slag, achieving the self-powdering of high-phosphorus slag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the pattern of influence of blast furnace slag tempering on the composition and structure of steel slag. The chemical composition, equilibrium phase composition, microscopic morphological characteristics and elemental composition of microscopic regions of steel slag and blast furnace slag modified by high temperature reconstruction were analyzed using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), FactSage7.1 thermodynamic analysis software, mineral phase microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The results show that blast furnace slag blending can promote the generation of a low melting point phase in the slag, as well as reducing its melting temperature and improving its high temperature kinetic conditions. On the one hand, the incorporation of blast furnace slag was found to promote the generation of C2S in the steel slag and improve its gelling activity. Notably, at 1400 °C, the C2S content (mass fraction) of steel slag modified with 15% high temperature reconstruction reached 39.04%, while that of unmodified steel slag at this temperature was only 16.92%, i.e., only 1/4 of the C2S content in the modified slag. On the other hand, the incorporation of blast furnace slag inhibited the generation of a-C2S-C3P and calcium ferrate minerals, refined the grains of calcium–aluminum yellow feldspar, reduced the alkalinity and promoted the generation of silicate phases with high hydration activity in steel slag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to reduce the sintering allocation scheme and lower the cost of allocation, two semi-lignite ores with similar properties and large price differences were selected for blending to achieve the purpose of complementary advantages. The sintered ore specimens were studied by using FactSage7.1, an infrared sintering furnace, and regression analysis. The results show that OA and OB iron ore powders and their mixed iron ore powders have a good linear fitting effect with an inverse relationship between bond phase strength and SiO2 content; the bond phase strength has a positive relationship with liquid phase fluidity index; when mixing OA and OB iron ore powders in the ratio of 4:6, they have better sintering base characteristics and can be used as a new iron ore powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical or short take-off and landing (V/STOL) aircraft generally have three flight modes, namely, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), conversion, and cruise, according to the variable angle of propulsion direction to the fuselage axis. However, the traditional flight envelope or conversion corridor lacks the capability to comprehensively present the flight characteristics of these three modes. Pursuant to this, the purpose of this paper was to present a three-dimensional (3D) flight envelope that combines propulsion direction, airspeed, and altitude in one figure. The 3D envelope was constructed subject to the constraints of power rating and equilibrium conditions. To verify its effectiveness, the flight data of XV-15 was used to generate the 3D envelope, following the projection along with the cross-section, which was compared with the traditional flight envelope and conversion corridor, respectively. The maximum specific excess power (SEP) of each flight state was also promptly obtained. In the case study, the flight performance of a rotor-wing aircraft was comprehensively analyzed using the generated 3D envelope. The proposed method in this study exhibited its versatility and capability to demonstrate the performance in all flight modes intuitively, which promoted the efficiency of V/STOL aircraft flight performance analysis as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of increasing consumption of herbivorous livestock products, competition between humans and animals for food, and increasing environmental constraints, it is necessary to solve the problem of sustainable development of China's livestock industry and increase the protection and development of the grassland livestock industry while making good use of production resources in agricultural areas in order to explore the development potential of the herbivorous livestock industry in agricultural areas. The Converting Food Crops to Forage Crops Policy (CFFP), as an important measure of agricultural supply-side structural reform, aims to develop a high-quality forage industry and a high-quality herbivorous livestock industry. However, over the years of policy implementation, few studies have examined the impact effects of the policy on the development of the regional herbivorous livestock industry. To fill this research gap and provide theoretical support for subsequent policy implementation, the study used the synthetic control method to examine the impact of policy implementation on the development of herbivorous livestock production in the pilot counties in Hebei Province from 2010 to 2020. The study discovered that the policy's implementation encouraged the expansion of herbivorous livestock production in the pilot counties, but the policy's effects on various regions and livestock species varied due to the influence of local production bases and resource endowments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phycocyanin is a type of marine natural product and functional food additive. Studies have demonstrated that phycocyanin has potential regulatory effects on glycometabolism, while its function and mechanism, especially in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic roles and underlying mechanism of phycocyanin in a high glucose high fat diet induced model of T2MD in C57BL/6N mice and a high-insulin-induced insulin-resistant model of SMMC-7721 cells. The results indicated that phycocyanin reduced high glucose high fat diet induced hyperglycemia as well as ameliorated glucose tolerance and histological changes in the liver and pancreas. Meanwhile, phycocyanin also significantly decreased the diabetes-induced abnormal serum biomarker variations, including triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), aspartate transaminase (AST), and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT), and increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) content. Furthermore, the antidiabetic function of phycocyanin was exerted through activating the AKT and AMPK signaling pathway in the mouse liver, which was also verified in the insulin-resistant SMMC-7721 cells due to increased glucose uptake and activated AKT and AMPKα expression. Thus, the present study is the first to indicate that phycocyanin mediates antidiabetic function via activating the AKT and AMPK pathway in high glucose high fat diet induced T2DM mice and insulin-resistant SMMC-7721 cells, which lays a scientific theoretical basis for the potential treatment of diabetes and the utilization of marine natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media fake news has become a pervasive and problematic issue today with the development of the internet. Recent studies have utilized different artificial intelligence technologies to verify the truth of the news and provide explanations for the results, which have shown remarkable success in interpretable fake news detection. However, individuals' judgments of news are usually hierarchical, prioritizing valuable words above essential sentences, which is neglected by existing fake news detection models. In this paper, we propose an interpretable novel neural network-based model, the hierarchical co-attention selection network (HCSN), to predict whether the source post is fake, as well as an explanation that emphasizes important comments and particular words. The key insight of the HCSN model is to incorporate the Gumbel–Max trick in the hierarchical co-attention selection mechanism that captures sentence-level and word-level information from the source post and comments following the sequence of words–sentences–words–event. In addition, HCSN enjoys the additional benefit of interpretability—it provides a conscious explanation of how it reaches certain results by selecting comments and highlighting words. According to the experiments conducted on real-world datasets, our model outperformed state-of-the-art methods and generated reasonable explanations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a prediction model for high-power electromagnetic pulse (HPEMP) effects on aboveground vehicles based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Since a vehicle is often located aboveground and is close to the air-ground–half-space interface, the electromagnetic energy coupled into the vehicle by the ground reflected waves cannot be ignored. Consequently, the analysis of the vehicle's HPEMP effect is a composite electromagnetic scattering problem of the half-space and the vehicles above it, which is often analyzed using different half-space numerical methods. However, traditional numerical methods are often limited by the complexity of the actual half-space models and the high computational demands of complex targets. In this study, a prediction method is proposed based on a CNN, which can analyze the electric field and energy density under different incident conditions and half-space environments. Compared with the half-space finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method, the accuracy of the prediction results was above 98% after completing the training of the CNN network, which proves the correctness and effectiveness of the method. In summary, the CNN prediction model in this study can provide a reference for evaluating the HPEMP effect on the target over a complex half-space medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, optical fiber interferometers have been extensively studied and applied for their inherent advantages. With the rapid development of science and technology, fiber sensors with higher detection sensitivity are needed on many occasions. As an effective way to improve measurement sensitivity, Vernier effect fiber sensors have drawn great attention during the last decade. Similar to the Vernier caliper, the optical Vernier effect uses one interferometer as a fixed part of the Vernier scale and the other as a sliding part of the Vernier scale. This paper first illustrates the principle of the optical Vernier effect, then different configurations used to produce the Vernier effect are classified and discussed. Finally, the outlook for Vernier effect fiber sensors is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A suitable ice slurry fluid with a suitable ice concentration ratio can save operational costs. The design of the optimal ice slurry concentration focuses on finding an evolution strategy, which can further minimize the power consumption of the pump. A theoretical model was established to simulate the effect of different ice concentrations and flow rates on the performance of the pump. The data obtained were fitted by curve-fitting function. The process was modeled in the MATLAB evolutionary strategy algorithm to obtain the configuration scheme of the ice concentration and flow under different refrigeration capacities. The simulation results showed that when the required cooling capacity was 13.889 kWh, ice concentration was set to 19.68%, and flow rate was set to 2.1075 × 10−4 m3/s, the power consumption could be reduced by 23%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phycocyanin, derived from marine algae, is known to have noteworthy antineoplastic properties. However, the underlying mechanism involved in phycocyanin-mediated anti-growth function on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells is still ambiguous. Here, we investigated the mechanism of action of phycocyanin on H1299, A549, and LTEP-a2 cells. According to the results obtained, insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) expression was reduced by phycocyanin. Cell phenotype tests showed that siRNA knockdown of IRS-1 expression significantly inhibited the growth, migration, colony formation, but promoted the apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Meanwhile, phycocyanin and IRS-1 siRNA treatment both reduced the PI3K-AKT activities in NSCLC cells. Moreover, overexpression of IRS-1 accelerated the proliferation, colony formation, and migration rate of H1299, A549, and LTEP-a2 cells, which was contradicting to the knockdown results. Overall, this study uncovered a regulatory mechanism by which phycocyanin inhibited the growth of NSCLC cells via IRS-1/AKT pathway, laying the foundation for the potential target treatment of NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a new multi-use offshore tension leg platform (TLP) was designed for wave energy production through an embedded wave energy converter (EWEC) system. The proposed EWEC system consists of four built-in tuned liquid column dampers for absorbing the hull motion energy and eight Wells turbines as the power take-off devices. A multifold nonlinear analytical model of this multibody system was developed considering the hydrodynamics of the TLP-EWEC system during large motions and the aerohydrodynamics of the chamber-turbine groups. A comprehensive assessment, including an evaluation of motion responses and preliminary generating capacity, was performed for different wave-load directions using the numerical time integration method. The results indicated that the multi-use platform can generate a considerable amount of turbine power for the offshore platform energy mix as well as serve for offshore oil and gas production in the target oil fields. Such additional benefits and profitability were proven effective and worthy for further exploration and practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrobacter spp. are opportunistic human pathogens which can cause nosocomial infections, sporadic infections and outbreaks. In order to determine the genetic diversity, in vitro virulence properties and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Citrobacter spp., 128 Citrobacter isolates obtained from human diarrheal patients, foods and environment were assessed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST), antimicrobial susceptibility testing and adhesion and cytotoxicity testing to HEp-2 cells. The 128 Citrobacter isolates were typed into 123 sequence types (STs) of which 101 were novel STs, and these STs were divided into five lineages. Lineages I and II contained C. freundii isolates; Lineage III contained all C. braakii isolates, while Lineage IV and V contained C. youngae isolates. Lineages II and V contained more adhesive and cytotoxic isolates than Lineages I, III, and IV. Fifty-one of the 128 isolates were found to be multidrug-resistant (MDR, ≥3) and mainly distributed in Lineages I, II, and III. The prevalence of quinolone resistance varied with Lineage III (C. braakii) having the highest proportion of resistant isolates (52.6%), followed by Lineage I (C. freundii) with 23.7%. Seven qnrB variants, including two new alleles (qnrB93 and qnrB94) were found with Lineage I being the main reservoir. In summary, highly cytotoxic MDR isolates from diarrheal patients may increase the risk of severe disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phycocyanin is a type of marine functional food additive, exerting a health care efficacy with no side effects. It has been shown that phycocyanin possesses anticancer function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, but the underlying regulatory mechanism still remains unclear. Further investigation on the antineoplastic mechanism of phycocyanin would provide useful information on NSCLC treatment. In this study, we explored the in vitro function and mechanism of phycocyanin in three typical NSCLC cell lines, H1975, H1650, and LTEP-a2, for the first time. Phenotypic experiments showed that phycocyanin significantly induced the apoptosis as well as suppressed the growth of NSCLC cells. Transcriptome analysis suggested that toll/interleukin 1 receptor domain-containing adaptor protein (TIRAP) was significantly down-regulated by phycocyanin. Strikingly, similar to phycocyanin-treated assays, siRNA knockdown of TIRAP expression also resulted in the anti-proliferative phenomenon in NSCLC cells. In addition, the activity of NF-κB signaling was also suppressed after silencing TIRAP expression, revealing that phycocyanin exerted anti-proliferative function through down-regulating TIRAP/NF-κB activity in NSCLC cells. Collectively, this study has laid a theoretical basis on the treatment of NSCLC and the potential utilization of marine functional products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phycocyanin, derived from Spirulina platensis, is a type of natural antineoplastic marine protein. It is known that phycocyanin exerts anticancer effects on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, but its underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. Herein, the antitumor function and regulatory mechanism of phycocyanin were investigated in three NSCLC cell lines for the first time: H358, H1650, and LTEP-a2. Cell phenotype experiments suggested that phycocyanin could suppress the survival rate, proliferation, colony formation, and migration abilities, as well as induce apoptosis of NSCLC cells. Subsequently, transcriptome analysis revealed that receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) was significantly down-regulated by phycocyanin in the LTEP-a2 cell, which was further validated by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis in two other cell lines. Interestingly, similar to phycocyanin-treated assays, siRNA knockdown of RIPK1 expression also resulted in growth and migration inhibition of NSCLC cells. Moreover, the activity of NF-κB signaling was also suppressed after silencing RIPK1 expression, indicating that phycocyanin exerted anti-proliferative and anti-migratory function through down-regulating RIPK1/NF-κB activity in NSCLC cells. This study proposes a mechanism of action for phycocyanin involving both NSCLC apoptosis and down regulation of NSCLC genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we first measured the eco-efficiency of 31 provinces in China during 2000–2015 using the SBM (Slack-Based Measure) model, and the spatial character of eco-efficiency was identified based on symmetrical spatial weight matrix. We then proposed a new asymmetrical spatial weight matrix based on the eco-economic transformation index (EETI)-distance reciprocal principle to assess the spatial character of eco-efficiency. Finally, we analyzed the convergence of eco-efficiency's total factor productivity (EETFPs) in mainland China and in three major regions based on the results of EETFP. The study revealed the following findings: (1) There were some limitations to the spatial autocorrelation of eco-efficiency in mainland China by the symmetrical spatial weight methods based on the spatial proximity principle or spatial distance principle. However, the new spatial weight scheme improved the reliability of the accounting results of the spatial autocorrelation. (2) The clustering effect of eco-efficiency exhibited a downward trend in mainland China during the study period; meanwhile, the significant high-high and low-high clustering areas were located in the eastern, the central, and the western regions. (3) The study of convergence showed that there was a club-convergence phenomenon in mainland China, and except for the western region, all the regions expressed conditional convergence. The results provide a significant reference for ecological-economy management and sustainable development in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phycocyanin (PC), derived from cyanobacteria and Spirulina cells, is a type of natural antineoplastic marine protein. It has been reported that phycocyanin exerts an antitumor function in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, but the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated. In this research, a transcriptome study was performed to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of phycocyanin on human NSCLC A549 cells. The survival rate and proliferation ability of A549 cells were markedly reduced by phycocyanin, along with abnormal morphologic changes. The transcriptome analysis showed that 2970 genes were differentially expressed after phycocyanin treatment in A549 cells, including 1431 down-regulated and 1539 up-regulated genes. Gene ontology and KEGG analysis suggested that some classical pathways, such as Wnt, NF-κB, and PI3K-AKT signaling, were significantly enriched. Strikingly, protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis showed that ubiquitin-C (UBC) occupied the highest degree (the highest number of interactions) in differential genes, indicating that it might play a key role in the phycocyanin-mediated regulatory process in A549 cells. Moreover, qRT-PCR results showed consistent expression trends of differential genes with transcriptome analysis. Consequently, this study has provided a theoretical basis for regulation of phycocyanin in A549 cells, which lays a foundation for the treatment of NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phycocyanin, a type of functional food colorant, is shown to have a potent anti-cancer property. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most aggressive form of cancers with few effective therapeutic options. Previous studies have demonstrated that phycocyanin exerts a growth inhibitory effect on NSCLC A549 cells. However, its biological function and underlying regulatory mechanism on other cells still remain unknown. Here, we investigated the in vitro function of phycocyanin on three typical NSCLC cell lines, NCI-H1299, NCI-H460, and LTEP-A2, for the first time. The results showed that phycocyanin could significantly induce apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, as well as suppress cell migration, proliferation, and the colony formation ability of NSCLC cells through regulating multiple key genes. Strikingly, phycocyanin was discovered to affect the cell phenotype through regulating the NF-κB signaling of NSCLC cells. Our findings demonstrated the anti-neoplastic function of phycocyanin and provided valuable information for the regulation of phycocyanin in NSCLC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]