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In order to address the issues of significant input variations and complex disturbances in speed control of permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM), a Modified Active Disturbance Rejection Controller (ADRC) based on an improved Modified Extended State Observer (ESO) is proposed in this paper. In this new method, a nonlinear cascaded structure of observers is adopted. By utilizing the TD filter, high‐frequency noise can be attenuated while preserving the dynamic characteristics of the signal. Moreover, system oscillations caused by minor errors are effectively suppressed. The introduction of propeller and wave models enhances the realism of simulated marine environmental disturbances. Research results indicate that, compared to a single Extended State Observer, the cascaded MESO exhibits better disturbance rejection and noise resistance in complex marine environments, and the proposed MADRC outperforms both PI controllers and ADRC in dealing with marine environmental disturbances. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID‐19 has been a global concern for 3 years, however, consecutive plasma protein changes in the disease course are currently unclear. Setting the mortality within 28 days of admission as the main clinical outcome, plasma samples were collected from patients in discovery and independent validation groups at different time points during the disease course. The whole patients were divided into death and survival groups according to their clinical outcomes. Proteomics and pathway/network analyses were used to find the differentially expressed proteins and pathways. Then, we used machine learning to develop a protein classifier which can predict the clinical outcomes of the patients with COVID‐19 and help identify the high‐risk patients. Finally, a classifier including C‐reactive protein, extracellular matrix protein 1, insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein complex acid labile subunit, E3 ubiquitin‐protein ligase HECW1 and phosphatidylcholine‐sterol acyltransferase was determined. The prediction value of the model was verified with an independent patient cohort. This novel model can realize early prediction of 28‐day mortality of patients with COVID‐19, with the area under curve 0.88 in discovery group and 0.80 in validation group, superior to 4C mortality and E‐CURB65 scores. In total, this work revealed a potential protein classifier which can assist in predicting the outcomes of COVID‐19 patients and providing new diagnostic directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non‐antibiotic strategies are desperately needed to treat post‐traumatic osteomyelitis (PTO) due to the emergence of superbugs, complex inflammatory microenvironments, and greatly enriched biofilms. Previously, growing evidence indicated that quorum sensing (QS), a chemical communication signal among bacterial cells, can accelerate resistance under evolutionary pressure. This study aims to develop a medical dressing to treat PTO by inhibiting QS and regulating the inflammatory microenvironment, which includes severe oxidative stress and acid abscesses, through a reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐responsive bond between N1‐ (4‐borobenzoyl)‐N3‐(4‐borobenzoyl)‐the N1, the N1, N3, N3‐tetramethylpropane‐1,3‐diamine (TSPBA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and the amino side chain of hyperbranched polylysine (HBPL). Physically enclosed QS inhibitors subsequently exerted the antibacterial effects. This hydrogel can scavenge hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion free radical (·O2−), hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and 2,2‐di(4‐tert‐octylphenyl)‐1‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) to reduce oxidative stress and inhibit "bacteria‐to‐bacteria communication", thus clearing planktonic bacteria and biofilms, accelerating bacterial plasmolysis, reducing bacterial virulence and interfering with membrane transport. After in vivo treatment with hydrogel, nearly all bacteria are eliminated, inflammation is effectively inhibited, and osteogenesis and bone repair are promoted to facilitate recovery from PTO. The work demonstrates the clinical translational potential of the hydrogel in the treatment of drug‐resistant bacteria induced PTO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hollow Fe3O4 nanospheres (h‐Fe3O4) with tunable sizes were synthesized and proposed as fillers to prepare microwave absorbing geopolymer (GP) composites. We studied the effect of different sizes of h‐Fe3O4 on microwave absorption (MA). The MA performance was enhanced as the size of h‐Fe3O4 in GP decreased. Furthermore, the GP composites containing h‐Fe3O4 achieved better MA capability than their counterparts containing solid Fe3O4 nanospheres (s‐Fe3O4) of the same size. The GP composites with a small size of h‐Fe3O4 exhibited the best minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of −39.3 dB at 14.0 GHz and an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 4.8 GHz at 2.2 mm. The outstanding MA capability, possibly as a result of improved dielectric loss and magnetic loss together with well‐matched impedance, demonstrated that GP composites are competitive construction materials when MA is critical. The radar cross section (RCS) simulation was conducted to assess the MA performance of composite materials in practical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the continuous increase in CO2 emissions, primarily from the combustion of coal and oil, the ecosystem faces a significant threat. Therefore, as an effective method to minimize the issue, the Reverse Water Gas Shift (RWGS) reaction which converts CO2 towards CO attracts much attention, is an environmentally‐friendly method to mitigate climate change and lessen dependence on fossil fuels. Nevertheless, the inherent thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness of CO2 is a big challenge under mild conditions. In addition, it remains another fundamental challenge in RWGS reaction owing to CO selectivity issue caused by CO2 further hydrogenation towards CH4. Up till now, a series of catalysis systems have been developed for CO2 reduction reaction to produce CO. Herein, the research progress of the well‐performed heterogeneous catalysts for the RWGS reaction were summarized, including the catalyst design, catalytic performance and reaction mechanism. This review will provide insights into efficient utilization of CO2 and promote the development of RWGS reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioorthogonal chemistry is a promising toolbox for dissecting biological processes in the native environment. Recently, bioorthogonal reactions have attracted considerable attention in the medical field for treating diseases, since this approach may lead to improved drug efficacy and reduced side effects via in situ drug synthesis. For precise biomedical applications, it is a prerequisite that the reactions should occur in the right locations and on the appropriate therapeutic targets. In this minireview, we highlight the design and development of targeted bioorthogonal reactions for precise medical treatment. First, we compile recent strategies for achieving target‐specific bioorthogonal reactions. Further, we emphasize their application for the precise treatment of different therapeutic targets. Finally, a perspective is provided on the challenges and future directions of this emerging field for safe, efficient, and translatable disease treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brassica crops include various edible vegetable and plant oil crops, and their production is limited by low temperature beyond their tolerant capability. The key regulators of low‐temperature resistance in Brassica remain largely unexplored. To identify posttranscriptional regulators of plant response to low temperature, we performed small RNA profiling, and found that 16 known miRNAs responded to cold treatment in Brassica rapa. The cold response of seven of those miRNAs were further confirmed by qRT‐PCR and/or northern blot analyses. In parallel, a genome‐wide association study of 220 accessions of Brassica napus identified four candidate MIRNA genes, all of which were cold‐responsive, at the loci associated with low‐temperature resistance. Specifically, these large‐scale data analyses revealed a link between miR1885 and the plant response to low temperature in both B. rapa and B. napus. Using 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends approach, we validated that miR1885 can cleave its putative target gene transcripts, Bn.TIR.A09 and Bn.TNL.A03, in B. napus. Furthermore, overexpression of miR1885 in Semiwinter type B. napus decreased the mRNA abundance of Bn.TIR.A09 and Bn.TNL.A03 and resulted in increased sensitivity to low temperature. Knocking down of miR1885 in Spring type B. napus led to increased mRNA abundance of its targets and improved rapeseed tolerance to low temperature. Together, our results suggested that the loci of miR1885 and its targets could be potential candidates for the molecular breeding of low temperature‐tolerant Spring type Brassica crops. Summary statement: Brassica‐specific MIR1885 is located within the genomic loci associated with cold resistance phenotype in the rapeseed population. Attenuating miR1885 expression enhances rapeseed tolerance to low temperature by increasing the abundance of miR1885‐cleaved mRNA targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Zhu‐Tokita‐Takenouchi‐Kim (ZTTK, OMIM 617140) syndrome is a severe multisystem developmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, developmental delay, cortical malformations, epilepsy, visual problems, musculoskeletal abnormalities, and congenital malformations. ZTTK syndrome is caused by a heterozygous pathogenic variant of the SON gene (NM_138927) at chromosome 21q22.1. The purpose of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of a 6‐month‐old Chinese child who exhibited global developmental delay, muscle weakness, malnutrition, weight loss, and strabismus, brain abnormality, immunological system abnormalities. Methods: The little girl was tested for medical exome sequencing (MES) and mtDNA sequencing in trio. And, the mutation was validated by Sanger sequencing. Results: A novel de novo frameshift variant, c.1845_1870del26 (p.G616Sfs*61), in the SON gene was found in the proband. Conclusion: We described a 6‐month‐old Chinese child with global developmental delay caused by pathogenic de novo mutation c.1845_1870del26 (p.G616Sfs*61) in the SON. Apart from a founder mutation, we reviewed the phenotypic abnormalities and genotypes in 79 individuals. The data showed that global developmental delay is accompanied by other system disorders. Our findings expanded the mutational spectrum of ZTTK syndrome and provide genetic counseling of baby with global developmental delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of WS2/Co9S8 nanoparticles (NPs) supported on N, S co‐doped mesoporous carbons were prepared via the molten salts process. Glucose, WCl6 and CoCl2 were used as carbon, tungsten and cobalt precursors, respectively. Thiourea were utilized as nitrogen and sulfur precursor. The common inorganic salts were the porogens, which can be removed and recycled. The molar ratio of the precursors can affect the porosities of the catalysts, which can further determine the electrocatalytic performance. The sample of G2.5TWCo shows the best HER performance due to the high electrochemically active surface area and low electrochemical impedance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, mainstream research on complex network evolution involves measuring the developing characteristics of network structure at the macro level. Few studies have focused on the internal mechanism of network structure change and the prediction of network structure evolution at the micro‐level. However, for some special complex network time series, the traditional analysis and research methods at the macro level are invalid, and the micro‐level analysis method needs to be adopted. Based on the evolution characteristics of nodes and edges in complex networks, this paper constructs a time series network analysis and prediction algorithm to explore the structural evolution trends of complex network time series and make a prediction. Based on the enterprise supply–demand relationship data, this paper constructs the enterprise supply–demand network time series. Then, we use the method proposed in this paper to analyse and predict the complex network time series and verify the rationality and feasibility of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The September 2022 Ms 6.8 Luding earthquake broke more than 230 years of seismic calm on the Moxi fault, providing a unique opportunity to understand its seismogenic environment, rupture dynamics, and seismic hazard. Using teleseismic body waves, regional strong‐motion observations, GNSS, and InSAR data, we decipher the spatiotemporal rupture evolution of the mainshock. Combining the elastic dislocation model with surface creep, we find that the coseismic slip correlates closely with a locked patch with a loading rate of 9.7 mm/yr, but the creeping rate is insufficient to make up the shallow slip deficit. Notably, the Luding earthquake ruptured only ∼1/4 of the Moxi seismic gap, and it further increased the stress in the unruptured northern part. We thus argue that the Moxi fault has the potential for magnitude 7+ earthquakes in the near future, although geodetic prediction may overestimate the actual seismic moment released by the coseismic rupture. Plain Language Summary: The Xianshuihe fault is an area of intense tectonic activity on the Tibetan Plateau and plays an important role in accommodating the postcollisional convergence of the Eurasian and Indian plates. However, the Moxi fault, at the southeastern end of the Xianshuihe fault, has remained seismically quiescent since the last Ms 7.75 event in 1786. In September 2022, a Ms 6.8 Luding earthquake struck the Moxi seismic gap, resulting in destructive landslide damage, with 93 people dead and 25 missing. Using seismic and geodetic recordings, we recover its space‐time rupture process in detail. Our model reveals an asymmetric bilateral rupture with dominant propagation and maximum slip to the SSE. It is important to note that the 2022 Luding earthquake ruptured only the southern Moxi seismic gap, leaving the northern part unruptured. Based on the departure time of the last major earthquake and the slip rate obtained from the elastic dislocation model, we estimate the unreleased seismic energy of the Moxi fault, indicating that it still has the potential for strong earthquakes. Besides, the Luding earthquake further increased its seismic hazard through stress transfer. Therefore, we should pay great attention to the kinematic state of the Moxi fault at this time. Key Points: The kinematic evolution of the Luding earthquake is revealed by seismic and geodetic observationsThe coseismic slip asperity from 3 to 20 km depth correlates closely with the preseismic surface creep and locked patchThe unruptured Moxi seismic gap still has the potential for magnitude 7+ earthquakes and deserves further attention [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A molten salts strategy was developed to synthesize Co2P nanoparticles (NPs) embedded N, P co‐doped mesoporous carbon. No solvent was introduced in the synthesis process. Moreover, the common inorganic salts were utilized as the templates, which could be removed and recycled by water washing. The characterization results exhibited that the final products consisted of Co2P NPs and carbon. The amounts of the salts determined the porosities of the as‐obtained sample, which further effect the activities for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The optimal sample of GUCo‐0.2NaCl showed the best HER performance among these as‐obtained electrocatalysts, including small Tafel slope and low overpotential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taro, a staple food for residents in Africa and parts of Asia, is an important source of carbohydrate. China has abundant taro resources. Taro contains polysaccharide, vitamins, minerals and other substances. Taro polysaccharides, as a significant active ingredient in taro, are mainly composed of monosaccharide units such as glucose, galactose, arabinose, mannose, and so on. Taro polysaccharides have antioxidant, lipid‐lowering, and immunomodulatory effects. In today's world, people are interested in food containing natural ingredients, which stimulates the potential of taro polysaccharides in the food, pharmaceutical, medical, and other fields. Herein, the extraction and purification, structural characterization, functional activity, and application of taro polysaccharides are reviewed to strengthen the cognition of taro polysaccharides. It provides references for further research and development of taro polysaccharides. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmland mulching can maintain soil nutrients, which plays a positive role in agricultural planting in the arid area. However, the composition of the soil microbial community and the C cycle involved is unclear under farmland mulching. Based on the Changwu Agro‐Ecological Experiment Station, this study set up a long‐term positioning experiment to explore the effect on soil bacterial community structure and C metabolism capacity. In this study, we include five treatments: control uncovered (CK), plastic film mulching (PF), high amount of straw mulching carried out in July, August, and September every year (St90), low amount of straw mulch throughout the growth period (S45), and high amount of straw cover throughout the growth period (S90). We combined Illumina MiSeq sequencing and Biolog‐ECO technology to analyze the functional characterization of soil bacterial community composition in terms of C source metabolism. The results indicated that the soil bacteria showed a high degree of epistatic clustering, and the operational taxonomic unit numbers of soil bacteria decrease as St90, S45, PF, CK, and S90. Redundancy analysis showed that soil available P, NH4+–N, soil moisture content were the main environmental factors affecting bacterial community composition. Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Actinobacteria are the main dominant flora in this area. Soil bacterial C metabolism was highest under PF treatment. Structural equation modeling (SEM) shows that surface cover has direct and indirect effects on bacterial C metabolism capacity and diversity through soil physicochemical properties. Reasonable mulching methods have a positive effect on the sustainable development of agro‐ecosystems in arid areas. Core Ideas: Straw mulching significantly increased soil organic C content.The available phosphorus, NH4+–N, moisture content were the main environmental factors affecting bacterial community.The C source metabolism of bacteria was the strongest under plastic film mulch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional groups in porous carbon generally suffer a severe loss during the high‐temperature carbonization. Instead, the low‐temperature synthesis of carbon featuring porous structures and abundant functional groups is not only a solution that evades the pitfalls of pyrolysis but also is of significance for the development of synthetic methodology. Herein, a liquid metal interfacial engineering strategy is reported for the synthesis of porous carbon using CCl4 as the carbon precursor and sodium‐potassium alloy (NaK) as the reducing agent, which is superior to traditional synthetic methods because it enables the engineering of a highly active liquid metal alloy microemulsion to directly generate porous carbon at ambient temperature. As synthesized porous carbon featured abundant carbon‐chlorine bonds can be tandem‐grafted with imidazole and 1,2‐dibromoethane to achieve a CO2 cycloaddition catalyst, which exhibits excellent catalytic activity, in addition to exceptional stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a molten salts process to prepare Co9S8 nanoparticles (NPs) entrapped, S, N co‐doped carbons. Cobalt chloride was used as the cobalt source. The melamine‐formaldehyde (MF) resin provided the carbon source and nitrogen source, and thiourea provided sulfur source. In addition, common inorganic salts were added as templates to generate pores. The characterization results showed that the prepared materials contained high contents of N, S and Co, and were mesoporous composites. At the same time, the porosity of electrocatalyst depended on the type of salt and the mass ratio of precursor to salt, which further affected the electrocatalytic activity of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The best prepared catalyst showed excellent HER performance. The onset overpotential of the catalyst was low (33 mV) and had a small Tafel slope (61.1 mV dec−1), in addition to good stability in alkaline media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is a microbial process degrading ample methane in anoxic environments, and Ca. Methanoperedens mediated nitrate‐ or metal‐reduction linked AOM is believed important in freshwater systems. This work, via 16S rRNA gene diversity survey and 16S rRNA quantification, found abundant Ca. Methanoperedens along with iron in the cold Zoige wetland at Tibetan Plateau. The wetland soil microcosm performed Fe(III) reduction, rather than nitrate‐ nor sulphate‐reduction, coupled methane oxidation (3.87 μmol d−1) with 32.33 μmol Fe(II) accumulation per day at 18°C, but not at 30°C. A metagenome‐assembled genome (MAG) recovered from the microcosm exhibits ~74% average nucleotide identity with the reported Ca. Methanoperedens spp. that perform Fe(III) reduction linked AOM, thus a novel species Ca. Methanoperedens psychrophilus was proposed. Ca. M. psychrophilus contains the whole suite of CO2 reductive methanogenic genes presumably involving in AOM via a reverse direction, and comparative genome analysis revealed its unique gene categories: the multi‐heme clusters (MHCs) cytochromes, the S‐layer proteins highly homologous to those recovered from lower temperature environments and type IV pili, those could confer Ca. M. psychrophilus of cold adaptability. Therefore, this work reports the first methanotroph implementing AOM in an alpine wetland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Service trade has become an important engine of world economic growth. Using complex network method and temporal exponential random graph models, we constructed the Belt and Road service trade networks (BR‐STNs) and global service trade networks (G‐STNs) in 2010–2017, systematically analysed the features of BR‐STNs compared with G‐STNs, and tested the factors affecting their evolution. We find that (a) the scale of BR‐STNs is small, but potential is huge. The BR‐STNs present the features of small‐world, larger degree disassortativity, lower reciprocity, and smaller heterogeneity than G‐STNs. (b) The BR‐STNs are divided into three communities and their pattern is more stable than G‐STNs. (c) Luxembourg, Italy and Singapore are the core in BR‐STNs, but there is a gap compared with the USA, the UK and Germany. (d) Reciprocity, structural embeddedness, the clustering effect and stability play important roles in the evolution of BR‐STNs and these effects increased after the proposal of the BRI. Economy‐pairs with similar trade openness, urbanization rates and quality of institution, and with different GDP and per capita GDP are more likely to trade. Countries with higher GDP, trade openness or quality of institution are active. Sharing a language, religion, colonial relationship or border, signing regional trade agreements and using a common currency facilitate service trade between countries in BR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Co9S8 nanoparticles (NPs) embedded, N, S co‐doped mesoporous carbons were synthesized by the combination of evaporation induced self‐assembly (EISA) method and simple pyrolysis method. Melamine formaldehyde (MF) resin was used as carbon and nitrogen precursor. CoCl2 and thiourea were utilized as cobalt and sulfur precursors, respectively. The as‐obtained samples possessed mesoporous structure. The optimized sample of MF4.0T6.0 exhibited excellent electrochemical performance towards hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in wide pH range, which achieved a current density of 10 mA cm‐2 at 163 mV (pH 0), 149 mV (pH 14), and 325 mV (pH 7). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroautophagy involves the encapsulation of cellular components within double‐membrane autophagosomes for subsequent degradation in vacuoles or lysosomes. Coat protein complex II (COPII) vesicles serve as a membrane source for autophagosome formation. However, the specific role of SEC24D, an isoform of the COPII coat protein SEC24, in the macroautophagy pathway remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that SEC24D is indispensable for macroautophagy and important for autophagosome closure. Depletion of SEC24D leads to the accumulation of unsealed isolation membranes. Furthermore, under conditions of starvation, SEC24D interacts with casein kinase1 delta (CK1δ), a member of the casein kinase 1 family, and autophagy‐related 9A (ATG9A). Collectively, our findings unveil the indispensable role of SEC24D in starvation‐induced autophagy in mammalian cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A solvent‐free strategy was developed to synthesize MoS2/Mo2C embedded, N, S co‐doped carbon via a green and environmentally friendly process. The precursors were blended and carbonized under the inert atmosphere. Water and other solvents were not involved in the whole synthesis process. According to the characterization results, the as‐received samples consisted of Mo2C, MoS2, and carbon with mesoporous structures. Moreover, the obtained sample possessed a high BET surface area (373.3 m2 g−1), as well as high electrochemical active surface area (145.4 mF cm−2). When utilized as the electrocatalyst towards hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the optimal sample of T2.0G4.0Mo1.0 revealed superior electrochemical activity in alkaline media, which could show a low overpotential and an excellent stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial ischaemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury is a serious illness with high morbidity and mortality. Mounting evidence indicates the utility of sevoflurane (SEV) in the treatment of myocardial I/R injury. This study aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective action of SEV against myocardial I/R injury. A rat model of myocardial I/R injury was established, and I/R rats were treated with different concentrations of SEV. MicroRNA‐203 (miR‐203) and doublecortin (DCX) expression levels were determined using reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Putative target relationship between miR‐203 and DCX was explored using dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA‐binding protein immunoprecipitation assay. Ischaemia‐reperfusion rats were treated with SEV, miR‐203 antagomir or sh‐DCX, followed by determination of oxidative stress‐ and inflammation‐related factor levels using nitrite and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays, and that of apoptosis‐related factors using Western blot analysis. The apoptotic rate of myocardial tissues was determined using TdT‐mediated dUTP‐biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and the infract area was evaluated using triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The results showed miR‐203 was poorly expressed and DCX was highly expressed in myocardial tissues of I/R rats. Sevoflurane was found to elevate miR‐203, and miR‐203, in turn, could target and reduce DCX expression. Sevoflurane, miR‐203 overexpression or DCX silencing resulted in declined oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis and infarct area, ultimately alleviating myocardial I/R injury. Collectively, these findings showed that SEV‐activated miR‐203 exhibited suppressive effects on myocardial I/R injury in rats and highlighted the SEV/miR‐203/DCX axis as a promising therapeutic target for myocardial I/R injury management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Chimonanthus salicifolius, a member of the Calycanthaceae of magnoliids, is one of the most famous medicinal plants in Eastern China. Here, we report a chromosome‐level genome assembly of C. salicifolius, comprising 820.1 Mb of genomic sequence with a contig N50 of 2.3 Mb and containing 36 651 annotated protein‐coding genes. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that magnoliids were sister to the eudicots. Two rounds of ancient whole‐genome duplication were inferred in the C. salicifolious genome. One is shared by Calycanthaceae after its divergence with Lauraceae, and the other is in the ancestry of Magnoliales and Laurales. Notably, long genes with > 20 kb in length were much more prevalent in the magnoliid genomes compared with other angiosperms, which could be caused by the length expansion of introns inserted by transposon elements. Homologous genes within the flavonoid pathway for C. salicifolius were identified, and correlation of the gene expression and the contents of flavonoid metabolites revealed potential critical genes involved in flavonoids biosynthesis. This study not only provides an additional whole‐genome sequence from the magnoliids, but also opens the door to functional genomic research and molecular breeding of C. salicifolius. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catabolic process that delivers cytoplasmic constituents to the lysosome for degradation, known as autophagy, is thought to act as a cytoprotective mechanism in response to stress or as a pathogenic process contributing towards cell death. Animal and human studies have shown that autophagy is substantially dysregulated in renal cells in diabetes, suggesting that activating autophagy could be a therapeutic intervention. However, under prolonged hyperglycaemia with impaired lysosome function, increased autophagy induction that exceeds the degradative capacity in cells could contribute toward autophagic stress or even the stagnation of autophagy, leading to renal cytotoxicity. Since lysosomal function is likely key to linking the dual cytoprotective and cytotoxic actions of autophagy, it is important to develop novel pharmacological agents that improve lysosomal function and restore autophagic flux. In this review, we first provide an overview of the autophagic‐lysosomal pathway, particularly focusing on stages of lysosomal degradation during autophagy. Then, we discuss the role of adaptive autophagy and autophagic stress based on lysosomal function. More importantly, we focus on the role of autophagic stress induced by lysosomal dysfunction according to the pathogenic factors (including high glucose, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), urinary protein, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid overload) in diabetic kidney disease (DKD), respectively. Finally, therapeutic possibilities aimed at lysosomal restoration in DKD are introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fiber architecture of the human uterus can be depicted in vivo using 3T MR-DTI (diffusion tensor imaging).Purpose: To investigate the differences in fibrous structure and DTI-related parameters between nonpregnant and pregnant cases in vivo.Study Type: Prospective case-control study.Subjects: Thirty-one subjects were divided into two groups; 18 nonpregnant volunteers with previous cesarean deliveries (Group 1) and 13 patients in early pregnancy also with previous cesarean section (Group 2).Field Strength/sequence: 3T Ssh-EPI (single-shot echo planar imaging) fast sequence with b values of 0 and 600 s/mm2 along 30 directions.Assessment: Fiber density, fiber length, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, and the fractional anisotropy (FA) value measured in the mid-sagittal plane of the uterus were obtained from the outer myometrium (OM), junctional zone (JZ), and the cesarean section scar (CSS). Fiber architecture in vivo was depicted by 3D diffusion tensor tractography (DTT).Statistical Tests: A t-test of independent sample or Wilcoxon rank sum test were used for comparison.Results: Pregnant scarred-uterus (Group 2) showed a decrease in fiber density, FA value, and an increase in fiber length, ADC value than the nonpregnant scarred-uterus (Group 1) on OM, JZ, and CSS. Among the above parameters between the two groups, for OM, significant differences were found in fiber density (P < 0.001), length (P = 0.0306), and ADC (P = 0.0039). For JZ, significant differences were found in fiber density (P = 0.0093), FA (P = 0.0002), and ADC (P < 0.001). The scar's fiber density (P = 0.0794), length (P = 0.6167), FA (P = 0.6305), and ADC value (P = 0.1865) showed no statistically significant difference during early pregnancy.Data Conclusion: Our results indicate considerable diffusional changes in uterine fiber architecture during pregnancy. The microenvironment of scar tissue appears to change little during early pregnancy.Level Of Evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy Stage: 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:124-130. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Blood‐borne monocytes/macrophages infiltrate the brain in massive numbers after ischemic stroke, but their impact on poststroke brain injury and recovery remains elusive. This study examined the transcriptomic changes in monocytes/macrophages after ischemic stroke and the functional implications of these changes, particularly with regards to the contribution of these cells to the phagocytic clearance of dead/dying cells (efferocytosis) in the poststroke brain. Methods: We performed whole‐genome RNA sequencing on the monocyte/macrophage population sorted from mouse brain and peripheral blood 5 days after permanent focal cerebral ischemia. In addition, the spatial and temporal profiles of macrophage efferocytosis were examined in vivo by immunohistochemistry 3‐7 days after brain ischemia. Results: Robust transcriptomic changes occurred in monocytes/macrophages upon infiltrating the poststroke brain. Functional enrichment analysis revealed a transcriptome of brain macrophages that strongly favored efferocytic activity. A large number of efferocytosis‐related genes were upregulated in brain macrophages, the products of which are essential components involved in various steps of efferocytosis, such as chemotaxis, recognition of dead cells, engulfment, and processing of phagosomes. The efferocytic activity of brain macrophages were verified by immunohistochemistry, wherein Iba1‐labeled microglia/macrophages effectively cleared apoptotic neurons in the infarct during the subacute stage after brain ischemia. We also identified PPARγ and STAT6 as potential upstream regulators that shaped this proefferocytic and inflammation‐resolving transcriptome of macrophages in the poststroke brain. Conclusion: Macrophages play a crucial role in the phagocytic clearance of dead neurons after ischemic stroke and promote the resolution of inflammation in the brain. Molecular therapies that enhance macrophage efferocytic capability may be promising treatments for ischemic stroke by facilitating inflammation resolution, brain repair, and recovery of neurological functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass failure deposits in lacustrine settings are some of the most understudied facies associations in the ancient or modern rock record. We integrated seismic data and well logs to investigate the external morphology, internal architecture and deformation and reservoir distribution of the sublacustrine landslides in the Cretaceous Nengjiang Formation of the Songliao Basin (SLB). A large‐scale sublacustrine landslide, named the Qi‐Jia sublacustrine landslide (QJSL), has been identified in the Nengjiang Formation of the SLB. The QJSL is currently the largest known sublacustrine landslide in the world. This landslide covers an area that exceeds 300 km2, with an estimated volume of 30 km3. Seismic imaging and mapping reveal that the QJSL can be recognized by several distinguishing seismic characteristics: discontinuous and internal chaotic seismic facies, compressional structures in the downslope region, irregular top and basal surfaces and erosional grooves in basal shear surfaces. The QJSL is 20–200 m thick, and is composed of a succession of fine‐grained deposits. Sandy layers are present but sparse and thinner than 16 m, and form reservoirs of the petroleum discoveries in this area. Our analyses show that the mechanism that triggered the collapse of the QJSL is attributed to rapid deposition and deltaic progradation. This study demonstrates that sand‐rich sublacustrine landslides formed at delta front slope can serve as conventional reservoirs in the lake centre, and provide a new target for subaqueous hydrocarbon exploration and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co9S8 embedded, N,S co‐doepd mesoporous carbon materials were synthesized by adopting CoCl2 as the molten salt. In details, CoCl2 and glucose were used as cobalt and carbon precursors, respectively, and thiourea was utilized as sulfur and nitrogen precursors. This synthetic process involved three steps, including hand‐milling, carbonation, and acid leaching. The results of characterization exhibited that the final products had mesoporous structures, which also showed high nitrogen and sulfur contents. Moreover, the Co9S8 nanoparticles dispersed evenly in the carbonaceous matrix. Furthermore, the calcining temperature could affect the porosities of the final products and the contents of the heteroatoms, which could further determine the electrocatalytic activities of these catalysts. When used as the electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction, the optimal catalyst, GTCo900, exhibited superior catalytic activities under acidic condition. The overpotential is 62 mV to afford a current density of 10 mA cm−2. Moreover, it could also reveal excellent stability for 12 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much effort has been applied to the study of land use multi‐objective optimization. However, most of these studies have focused on the final land use scenarios in the projected year, without considering how to reach the final optimized land use scenario. To fill this gap, a spatio‐temporal land use multi‐objective optimization (STLU‐MOO) model is innovatively proposed in this research to determine possible spatial land use solutions over time. The STLU‐MOO is an extension of a genetic land use multi‐objective optimization model (LU‐MOO) in which the LU‐MOO is generally carried out in different years, and the solutions at year T will affect the solutions at year T + 1. We used the Wuhan agglomeration (WHA) as our case study area. The STLU‐MOO model was employed separately for the nine cities in the WHA, and social, economic, and environmental objectives have been considered. The success of the experiments in the case study demonstrated the value and novelty of our proposed STLU‐MOO model. In addition, the results also indicated that the objectives considered in the case study were in conflict. According to the results, the optimal land use plan in 2050 can be traced back to 2040, 2030, and 2020, providing a series of Pareto solutions over the years which can provide spatio‐temporal land use multi‐objective optimization solutions to support the land use planning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe iron‐catalyzed oxidative coupling cyclization of tetrahydrocarbazoles or THβCs or THγCs to form benzofuroindolenines as fused polycyclic indoles. This mild, efficient and simple approach afforded a library of more than 52 complex compounds across a range of substrate classes with good to excellent yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nitrogen‐doped carbon xerogels (NDCX) functionalized with various nitrogen functionalities are synthesized and used as supports for Pd nanoparticles (NPs) for selective hydrogenation reactions. The nitrogen doping not only induces the formation of surface basic sites that can connect with the Pd NPs by donating electrons to the unoccupied d orbital of Pd atoms and improve the Pd dispersion, but it also leads to C–N–C hybrid rings that can interact with substrates containing electron‐rich carbon rings, increasing the reaction activity. So far, the Pd/NDCX shows >95 % 1,5‐cyclooctadiene (COD) conversion and cyclooctene (COE) selectivity within 90 min for selective hydrogenation of COD to COE, and the activity can be recovered after washing the catalyst. Moreover, the catalyst can be applied to various substrates containing C=C and/or −NO2 groups with considerable conversion and selectivity. Experimental results and DFT theoretical calculations suggest that the pyridinic nitrogen plays an important role in the reaction, as it is not only the adsorption site of Pd NPs for H2 activation, but it also serves as the active site for COD activation. On these bases, a mechanism for the reaction is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The development of a highly efficient catalyst possessing both high activity and remarkable stability is a major focus in fuel‐cell applications. Herein, we utilized an arc‐discharge approach with an ultrafast cooling system to synthesize a core@shell structural Au@C nanocomposite comprising 3–5 nm gold clusters confined within highly defective graphitic layers. Such a construction not only improves the conductivity to accelerate the penetration of ions and electrons during the electrocatalytic process of methanol molecules, but it also suppresses chemical/thermal coarsening of the gold clusters. More importantly, the atomic‐scale Au/C interfaces contribute to a synergistic effect and enhance the activity relative to that of other gold‐based catalysts in the electrooxidation of methanol. This work highlights the role of heterogeneous interfaces in the catalytic efficiency of precious‐metal catalysts and rationalizes optimization in catalyst engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The death receptors Fas, p75NTR and DR6 are key components of extrinsically activated apoptosis. Characterization of how they interact with the adaptors is crucial in order to unravel the signalling mechanisms. However, the exact conformation that their intracellular death domain adopts upon binding downstream partners remains unclear. One model suggests that it adopts a typical compact fold, whilst a second model proposed an open conformation. Calmodulin (CaM), a major calcium sensor, has previously been reported to be one of the Fas adaptors that modulate apoptosis. This work reports that CaM also binds directly to the death domains of p75NTR and DR6, indicating that it serves as a common modulator of the death receptors. Two crystal structures of CaM in complexes with the corresponding binding regions of Fas and p75NTR are also reported. Interestingly, the precise CaM-binding sites were mapped to different regions: helix 1 in Fas and helix 5 in p75NTR and DR6. A novel 1-11 motif for CaM binding was observed in p75NTR. Modelling the complexes of CaM with full-length receptors reveals that the opening of the death domains would be essential in order to expose their binding sites for CaM. These results may facilitate understanding of the diverse functional repertoire of death receptors and CaM and provide further insights necessary for the design of potential therapeutic peptide agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple, sensitive and low-cost method using CE coupled with glucose-β-CD interaction assisted ACN stacking technique has been developed for quantification of trace amlodipine in dog plasma. The plasma samples were extracted with methyl tert-butyl ether. The separation was performed at 25°C in a 31.2 cm × 75 μm fused-silica capillary with an applied voltage of 15 kV. The BGE was composed of 6.25 mM borate/25 mM phosphate (pH 2.5) and 5 mg/mL glucose-β-CD. The detection wavelength was 200 nm. Because CD could diminish the interaction between drugs and matrix, and derivation groups of CD play an important role in separation performance, the effects of β-CD, and its derivatives on the separation were studied at several concentrations (0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 mg/mL). In this study, organic solvent field-amplified sample stacking technique in combination with glucose-β-CD enhanced the sensitivity about 60-70 folds and glucose-β-CD could effectively improve the peak shape. All the validation data, such as accuracy, precision extraction recovery, and stability, were within the required limits. The calibration curve was linear for amlodipine from 1 to 200 ng/mL. The method developed was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic studies of amlodipine besylate in beagle dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carriers of fragile X mental retardation 1 repeat expansions in the premutation range (55-200 CGG repeats), especially males, often develop tremor, ataxia, and parkinsonism. These neurological signs are believed to be a result of elevated levels of expanded CGG-repeat fragile X mental retardation 1 mRNA. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of fragile X mental retardation 1 repeat expansions in a movement disorder population comprising subjects with all types of tremor, ataxia, and parkinsonism. We screened 335 consecutive patients with tremor, ataxia, or parkinsonism and 273 controls confirmed to have no movement disorders. There was no difference in fragile X mental retardation 1 premutation size expansions in the cases compared with controls. Eleven percent of the women with Parkinson's disease had fragile X mental retardation 1 gray-zone expansions compared with 4.4% of female controls (odds ratio of 3.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-8.7). Gray-zone expansions in patients with other phenotypes were not overrepresented in comparison with controls. Fragile X mental retardation 1 premutation range expansions are not more common in a mixed movement disorder population compared with controls. Our results, however, suggest that fragile X mental retardation 1 gray-zone alleles may be associated with Parkinson's disease in women. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic factors are established to contribute to the development of autism. We examined three loci, serotonin transporter ( SLC6A4), dopamine β-hydroxylase ( DBH), and the variable number of tandem repeat promoter of the monoamine oxidase A ( MAOA) for association with autism in participants from the Childhood Autism Risks from Genetics and the Environment (CHARGE ) Study, the first large-scale population-based case-control investigation of both environmental and genetic contributions to autism risk. Among male children enrolled in the CHARGE study we tested associations between each of the three polymorphisms and autism (AU) ( n = 119), or a combined group of autism and other autism spectrum disorders (AU+ASD, which includes an additional n = 53) as compared with typically developing controls (TD, n = 137). The case-control association analysis showed neither SLC6A4 nor DBH to be statistically significantly associated with AU or ASD. However, the male children carrying 4 tandem repeats in the promoter region of the MAOA gene showed a two-fold higher risk of AU (or AU+ASD) than those carrying allele 3, adjusted for confounders (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.12, 3.65, P = 0.02 for AU vs. TD, and OR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.19, 3.53, P = 0.01 for ASD vs. TD). In addition, children of mothers homozygous for the 4 tandem repeat allele showed at least a three-fold higher risk of AU (or AU+ASD) than those with mothers homozygous for allele 3 (OR = 3.07, 95% CI = 1.19, 7.91, P = 0.02 for AU vs. TD, and OR = 3.26, 95% CI = 1.35, 7.89, P = 0.009 for AU+ASD vs. TD). These results suggest a potential role of the functional MAOA promoter alleles in the male child, the mother, or both in ASD. Autism Res 2011,4:250-261. © 2011 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

J. Neurochem. (2010) 112, 1065–1073. Expression of the nuclear orphan receptor gene Nur77 in neuronal cells is induced by activity-dependent increases in intracellular Ca2+ ions. Ca2+ responsiveness of the Nur77 gene has been attributed to two distinct DNA regulatory regions that recruit the transcription factors cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) and myocyte enhancer factor-2 (MEF2). Here we used dominant interfering and constitutively active mutants of CREB and MEF2 proteins to assess their relative contribution to depolarization-induced Nur77 expression in undifferentiated PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons. We show that while CREB is necessary for Ca2+-activated Nur77 expression MEF2 functions to modulate CREB-dependent Nur77 expression by acting as a repressor in quiescent cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil microbial extracellular enzymes play crucial roles in soil carbon and nutrient cycling by catalyzing soil biochemical processes. However, the activity and stoichiometry of enzymes involved in the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycles in the environment with the highest density of wild giant pandas on the southern slopes of the Qinling Mountains is unknown. We have established eight research areas at an elevation of 1090–2621 m. The β‐1,4‐glucosidase (BG), β‐1,4‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), and acid phosphatase (APase) in soil samples were measured. We used redundancy analysis and structural equation model to evaluate the driving factors of metabolic restriction of soil microorganisms along the elevational gradient, and four models were used to cross‐evaluate the nutrient restriction status of soil microorganisms. The results showed that most soil physiochemical properties, soil microbial biomass, and microbial extracellular enzymes exhibited a hump‐shaped trend with increasing elevation. Elevation indirectly affected soil enzyme activity and stoichiometry by C, N, and P status. Microorganisms are limited by C at lower and higher elevations but limited by N at medium elevations. These results could help strengthen the conservation and management of the wild panda's natural habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]