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Mizoroki-Heck reaction of unstrained aryl ketone with acrylate/styrene is accomplished via palladium-catalyzed ligand-promoted C-C bond cleavage. Various (hetero)aryl ketones are compatible in the reaction, affording the alkene product in good to excellent yields. Further applications in the late-stage olefination of some drugs, natural products, and fragrance-derived aryl ketones demonstrate the synthetic utility of this protocol. By employing ketone as both the directing group and the leaving group, 1,2-bifunctionalization is achieved via sequential ortho-C-H alkylation/ipso-Heck olefination.

Conversion of the numerous aryl ketones into aryl electrophiles via Ar–C(O) cleavage remains a challenging yet highly desirable transformation in Sonogashira-type coupling. Herein, we report a pall...

C3-Arylation of indoles with aryl ketones is accomplished via palladium-catalyzed ligand-promoted Ar-C(O) cleavage and subsequent C-H arylation of indole. Various (hetero)aryl ketones are compatible in this reaction, affording the corresponding 3-arylindoles in moderate to good yields. Further introduction of an indole moiety into the natural products desoxyestrone and evodiamine demonstrate the synthetic utility of this protocol.

In this paper, the flammability limit of the battery thermal runaway vent gas (BVG) is studied numerically by using the CHEMKIN 2.0 code. The research content mainly includes the change of flammability limit with the state of charge, initial temperature, and initial pressure. The chemical reaction kinetics at the flammability limit is also analyzed. The results show that the flammability limit obtained by numerical simulation is in good agreement with that calculated by Le Chatelier's mixing rule. The lean and rich limits increase with the increase of the initial pressure, and the increasing trend gradually slows down. As for the change of initial temperature, higher the temperature is, wider the limits are. In addition, according to the simulation results, the fitting formula of the flammability limit changing with the initial conditions is given. Furthermore, in order to reveal the important elementary reactions controlling the flammability limit, the sensitivity analysis with respect to the flame speed and heat release rate analysis of the elementary reactions are carried out at the flammability limit. Finally, the effect of CO2 and H2 content on the flammability limit of BVG is discussed.

Legionella, a waterborne pathogen, is the main cause of Legionnaires’ disease. Therefore, timely and accurate detection and differentiation of Legionella pneumophila and non-Legionella pneumophila species is crucial. In this study, we develop an easy and rapid recombinase polymerase amplification assay combined with EuNPs-based lateral flow immunochromatography (EuNPs-LFIC-RPA) to specifically distinguish Legionella pneumophila and non-Legionella pneumophila. We designed primers based on the mip gene of Legionella pneumophila and the 5S rRNA gene of non-Legionella pneumophila. The recombinase polymerase amplification reaction could go to completion in 10 min at 37°C, and the amplification products could be detected within 5 min with EuNPs-LFIC strips. Using a florescent test strip reader, the quantitative results were achieved by reading the colored signal intensities on the strips. The sensitivity was 1.6 × 101 CFU/ml, and a linear standard linear curve plotted from the test strip reader had a correlation coefficient for the determination of Legionella pneumophila (R2 = 0.9516). Completed concordance for the presence or absence of Legionella pneumophila by EuNPs-LFIC-RPA and qPCR was 97.32% (κ = 0.79, 95% CI), according to an analysis of practical water samples (n = 112). In short, this work shows the feasibility of EuNPs-LFIC-RPA for efficient and rapid monitoring of Legionella pneumophila and non-Legionella pneumophila in water samples.

In this work, we have first investigated the explosion limit behaviors from hydrogen to propane through numerical simulations and validated with the available experimental data. The shape of the explosion limit curves and the possible turning points (P1–2, T1–2), first to second limit transition, and (P2–3, T2–3), second to third limit transition that bound the second explosion limit as a function of the fuel carbon number, have been examined. Results show that with an increase of methane mole fraction in the hydrogen/methane system, the upper turning point (P1–2, T1–2) remains almost unchanged and the lower transition point (P2–3, T2–3) rotates counterclockwise around (P1–2, T1–2). With a further increase of carbon number, (P1–2, T1–2) moves to the lower-pressure and -temperature region and (P2–3, T2–3) gradually moves to the lower-pressure and higher-temperature region. The slope of the second explosion limit is inversely proportional to the carbon number, kPT = 0.0069 – 0.005/(Xc – 0.7), approximately. Second, a sensitivity analysis has been conducted to study the elementary reaction on the second explosion limits. The results show that the chain branching and termination reactions governing the explosion limit of hydrogen have a little effect on the second explosion limit of methane. The C2H5O2H decomposition to form OH radicals is dominant in controlling the nonmonotonic behavior of the second explosion limit of C2H6. The second explosion limit behavior of propane is governed by three sets of reactions in the low-temperature oxidation process.

In this study, the effects of ozone addition on the cool flame and NTC (negative temperature coefficient) regions of stoichiometric C3H8/O2 mixtures are computationally studied through the explosion limit profiles. The results show that with minute quantities of ozone addition (the mole fraction of ozone is 0.1%), the cool flame area is enlarged to the low-temperature region. Further increases in the mole fraction of ozone gradually weaken the NTC behavior, and a monotonic explosion limit is eventually achieved. The sensitivity analysis of the main reactions involving ozone reveals that the explosion limit is mainly controlled by the ozone unimolecular decomposition reaction O3 (+M) = O2 + O (+M). However, as its reverse reaction is a third-body reaction, this reaction will lose its effect on the explosion limit in the high-pressure region. On the contrary, the reaction O3 + HO2 = OH + O2 + O2 has a significant effect on the explosion limit in the high-pressure and low-temperature region, as the concentration of HO2 increases through the rapid third-body reaction H + O2 + M = HO2 + M.

A novel free-standing electrode consisting of nickel phosphide (Ni2P) nanoparticles on nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped porous carbon (NPC) are synthesized on carbon cloth (CC). Polyaniline (PANI) and nickel (Ni) are sequentially electro-deposited on the surface of CC, which are then transformed into NPC and Ni2P by an in-situ carbonization-phosphorization combined process. The electrode surface is distributed with large amounts of uniform macropores, which could expose more active sites and enhance the interfacial exchange with the electrolyte. The Ni2P@NPC@CC electrode delivers early overpotentials of 92 and 280 mV vs. Reversible Hydrogen Electrode (RHE) at 10 mA cm−2 for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline condition, respectively. The electrolytic cell with Ni2P@NPC@CC electrode both as anode and cathode can achieve 10 mA cm−2 at a small bias of 1.54 V for the overall water splitting. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation indicates that combination with Ni2P and NPC can decrease Gibbs free energy for H* adsorption (ΔGH*) and increase charge density on the interface, thus could lead to the enhanced activity for water splitting. The free-standing and noble-metal free Ni2P@NPC@CC electrode is stable, highly active and cost effective, thus have great potential for the hydrogen production.

Ethylene plays important roles in plant growth and development, but the regulation of ethylene signaling is largely unclear, especially in crops such as rice (Oryza sativa). Here, by analysis of the ethylene-insensitive mutant mao huzi 11 (mhz11), we identified the GDSL lipase MHZ11, which modulates ethylene signaling in rice roots. MHZ11 localized to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and has acyl-hydrolyzing activity. This activity affects the homeostasis of sterols in rice roots and is required for root ethylene response. MHZ11 overexpression caused constitutive ethylene response in roots. Genetically, MHZ11 acts with the ethylene receptor ETHYLENE RESPONSE SENSOR2 (OsERS2) upstream of CONSTITUTIVE TRIPLE RESPONSE2 (OsCTR2) and ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE2 (OsEIN2). The mhz11 mutant maintains more OsCTR2 in the phosphorylated form whereas MHZ11 overexpression promotes ethylene-mediated inhibition of OsCTR2 phosphorylation. MHZ11 colocalized with the ethylene receptor OsERS2, and its effect on OsCTR2 phosphorylation requires ethylene perception and initiation of ethylene signaling. The mhz11 mutant overaccumulated sterols and blocking sterol biosynthesis partially rescued the mhz11 ethylene response, likely by reducing receptor-OsCTR2 interaction and OsCTR2 phosphorylation. We propose that MHZ11 reduces sterol levels to impair receptor-OsCTR2 interactions and OsCTR2 phosphorylation for triggering ethylene signaling. Our study reveals a mechanism by which MHZ11 participates in ethylene signaling for regulation of root growth in rice.

The calcium-activated chloride channel, also known as TMEM16A, shows both calcium and membrane potential dependent activation. The channel is expressed broadly and contributes to a variety of physiological processes, and it is expected to be a target for the treatment of diseases such as hypertension, pain, cystic fibrosis and lung cancer. A thorough understanding of the structural characteristics of TMEM16A is important to reveal its physiological and pathological roles. Recent studies have released several Cryo-EM structures of the channel, revealed the structural basis and mechanism of the gating of the channel. This review focused on the understandings of the structural basis and molecular mechanism of the gating and permeation of TMEM16A channel, which will provide important basis for the development of drugs targeting TMEM16A.

Polyurethane solid–solid phase change material (PCM) with low phase change temperature is synthesized via prepolymer method. The synthetic polyurethane solid–solid PCM had lower crystallinity than PTMEG2000. The polyurethane solid–solid PCM was still in solid state during the heating process, and no liquid leakage was observed. After many phase change cycles, the polyurethane solid–solid PCM exhibited good stability of phase change cycles. Hence, the asphalt modified by polyurethane solid–solid PCM was prepared by high-speed shearing method. With increasing polyurethane solid–solid PCM proportion, the high temperature deformation resistance of modified asphalt gradually increased. At low temperature ( 3 wt%, the specific heat capacity of the modified asphalt had an evident peak ranging from 13 °C to 25 °C. In the range of the proportion, the coefficient of the heat conductivity of the modified asphalt gradually increased with increasing PCM content. During the cooling process, the modified asphalt cooled relatively slow before the phase transition of the polyurethane solid–solid PCM. With continued decrease in the temperature, the phase transition of the polyurethane solid–solid PCM occurred, and the cooling rate of the modified asphalt further decreased. With increasing polyurethane solid–solid PCM content, the temperature control ability of modified asphalt and the efficiency of temperature control gradually increased.

A fluorescent immunoassay based on europium nanoparticles (EuNPs-FIA) was developed for the simultaneous detection of antibiotic residues, solving the problems of single target detection and low sensitivity of traditional immunoassay methods. In the EuNPs-FIA, EuNPs were used as indictive probes by binding to anti-tetracyclines monoclonal antibodies (anti-TCs mAb), anti-sulphonamides monoclonal antibodies (anti-SAs mAb) and anti-fluoroquinolones monoclonal antibodies (anti-FQs mAb), respectively. Different artificial antigens were assigned to different regions of the nitrocellulose membrane as capture reagents. The EuNPs-FIA allowed for the simultaneous detection of three classes of antibiotics (tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones and sulphonamides) within 15 min. It enabled both the qualitative determination with the naked eye under UV light and the quantitative detection of target antibiotics by scanning the fluorescence intensity of the detection probes on the corresponding detection lines. For qualitative analysis, the cut-off values for tetracyclines (TCs), fluoroquinolones (FQs) and sulphonamides (SAs) were 3.2 ng/ml, 2.4 ng/ml and 4.0 ng/ml, respectively, which were much lower than the maximum residue limit in food. For quantitative analysis, these ranged from 0.06 to 6.85 ng/ml for TCs, 0.03–5.14 ng/ml for FQs, and 0.04–4.40 ng/ml for SAs. The linear correlation coefficients were higher than 0.97. The mean spiked recoveries ranged from 92.1 to 106.2% with relative standard deviations less than 8.75%. Among them, the three monoclonal antibodies could recognize four types of TCs, seven types of FQs and 13 types of SAs, respectively, and the detection range could cover 24 antibiotic residues with different structural formulations. The results of the detection of antibiotic residues in real samples using this method were highly correlated with those of high performance liquid chromatography (R2 > 0.98). The accuracy and precision of the EuNPs-FIA also met the requirements for quantitative analysis. These results suggested that this multiplex immunoassay method was a promising method for rapid screening of three families of antibiotic residues.

Herein, we report the arylation, alkylation, and alkenylation of aryl ketones via a palladium-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. The use of the pyridine-oxazoline ligand is the key to the cleavage of the unstrained C-C bond. The late-stage arylation of aryl ketones derived from drugs and natural products demonstrated the synthetic utility of this protocol.

There is increasing appreciation for the roles of the gut-liver axis in liver and gall diseases. Specific gut microbes are associated with susceptibility to gallstone diseases, while the relationship between intestinal flora and liver metabolism in the formation of gallstones remains unclear. In this study, an experimental group of model mice was given a lithogenic diet, and a control group was given a normal diet. Both groups were fed for 8 weeks. Integrating 16S rRNA gene sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics to explore the impact of the lithogenic diet on intestinal flora and liver metabolism, Spearman correlation analysis reveals the network of relationships between the intestine and liver. Our findings showed that the gut microbiome and liver metabolome compositions of the test group were significantly changed compared with those of the normal group. Through our research, biomarkers of gallstones were identified at the phylum (5), class (5), order (5), family (7), and genus levels. We predicted the function of the differential flora. We analyzed the liver metabolism of mice with gallstones paired with their flora, and the results showed that there were 138 different metabolites between the two groups. The metabolic pathways enriched by these differential metabolites are highly consistent with the functions of the disordered flora. We focused on an analysis of the relationship between deoxycholic acid, asymmetric dimethylarginine, glucosamine, tauroursodeoxycholic acid, and the disordered flora. This provides a basis for the establishment of the intestine-liver axis in gallstone disease. This research provides a theoretical basis for the research and development of probiotics and prebiotics.

Herein, we have developed a strategy of sequential C-H activations of indole to construct novel 2-alkynyl aza-spiro[4,5]indole scaffolds, which incorporated both alkyne and spiro-units into indole. Gram-scale synthesis and a one-pot, three-step synthesis demonstrated the utility of this protocol. Hybrid conjugates with an oseltamivir derivative further offered a powerful tool for the construction of a versatile spiroindole-containing library via click chemistry.

TMEM16A, the calcium-activated chloride channel, is broadly expressed and plays pivotal roles in diverse physiological processes. To understand the structural and functional relationships of TMEM16A, it is necessary to fully clarify the structural basis of the gating of the TMEM16A channel. Herein, we performed the protein electrostatic analysis and molecular dynamics simulation on the TMEM16A in the presence and absence of Ca2+. Data showed that the separation of TM4 and TM6 causes pore expansion, and Q646 may be a key residue for the formation of π-helix in the middle segment of TM6. Moreover, E705 was found to form a group of H-bond interactions with D554/K588/K645 below the hydrophobic gate to stabilize the closed conformation of the pore in the Ca2+-free state. Interestingly, in the Ca2+ bound state, the E705 side chain swings 100o to serve as Ca2+-binding coordination and released K645. K645 is closer to the hydrophobic gate in the calcium-bound state, which facilitates the provision of electrostatic forces for chloride ions as the ions pass through the hydrophobic gate. Our findings provide the structural-based insights to understanding the mechanisms of gating of TMEM16A.

A “one stop” thermal stabilizer, zinc arginine complex (Zn(Arg) 2 ), with excellent excellent initial whiteness, whiteness retention and long-term thermal stability time for PVC, was conveniently synthesized in water solution. The successful synthesis of Zn(Arg) 2 was confirmed by FTIR, TGA and element analysis. Besides the longer Congo red and static thermal stability time than nitrogen-containing thermal stabilizer reported, Zn(Arg) 2 also had better initial whiteness, whiteness retention and dynamic thermal stability time showed by Congo red test, discoloration test and torque rheology test. Especially, the static thermal stability time was more than 150 min, and the dynamic thermal stability time reached 78 min. The excellent thermal stability effect of Zn(Arg) 2 on PVC was ascribed to the simultaneous possession of three mechanisms: absorbing HCl, replacing labile chlorine atoms and complexing ZnCl 2 . Moreover, PVC with Zn(Arg) 2 also showed excellent transmittance tested by vis-uv-near infrared spectrophotometer. Therefore, Zn(Arg) 2 is a “one stop” thermal stabilizer with good application prospects in transparent PVC.

A totally new theory of “two-step stabilization mechanism” for triazole-based zinc-containing complex (abbreviated as [Zn(ttr)(OAc)]) was proposed through several designed experiments. [Zn(ttr)(OAc)] strongly absorbed HCl at the beginning, and then broke down into 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole which could further stabilized PVC. The structure of [Zn(ttr)(OAc)] was characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and SEM. Then, Congo red tests and discoloration tests verified [Zn(ttr)(OAc)] could absorb HCl effectively, but PVC showed poor initial whiteness, which further proved above-mentioned stabilization mechanism. Moreover, [Zn(ttr)(OAc)] combined with ZnSt2 and dibenzoyl methane (DBM) effectively improved the initial color of PVC samples and provided PVC with shorter plasticizing time and longer dynamic thermal stability time than commercial stabilizer 1086F, confirmed by discoloration tests and dynamic thermal stability analysis. We believe [Zn(ttr)(OAc)]/ZnSt2/DBM stabilizer system can be used as a commercial stabilizer and the stabilization mechanism of [Zn(ttr)(OAc)] may provide a new way to stabilize PVC.

A rhodium(III)-catalyzed domino annulation of simple olefins with diazo oxindoles to give spirooxindole pyrrolone products is described. This reaction can be formally viewed as the result of an anomalous tandem C-H activation, carbene insertion, Lossen rearrangement, and a nucleophilic addition process. The potential utility of this reaction was further demonstrated by the late-stage diversification of drug molecules.

WRKY transcription factors play important roles in response to various abiotic stresses. Previous study have proved that soybean GmWRKY54 can improve stress tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis. Here, we generated soybean transgenic plants and further investigated roles and biological mechanisms of GmWRKY54 in response to drought stress. We demonstrated that expression of GmWRKY54, driven by either a constitutive promoter (pCm) or a drought-induced promoter (RD29a), confers drought tolerance. GmWRKY54 is a transcriptional activator and affects a large number of stress-related genes as revealed by RNA sequencing. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment and co-expression network analysis, together with measurement of physiological parameters, supported the idea that GmWRKY54 enhances stomatal closure to reduce water loss, and therefore confers drought tolerance in soybean. GmWRKY54 directly binds to the promoter regions of genes including PYL8, SRK2A, CIPK11 and CPK3 and activates them. Therefore GmWRKY54 achieves its function through abscisic acid (ABA) and Ca2+ signaling pathways. It is valuable that GmWRKY54 activates an ABA receptor and an SnRK2 kinase in the upstream position, unlike other WRKY proteins that regulate downstream genes in the ABA pathway. Our study revealed the role of GmWRKY54 in drought tolerance and further manipulation of this gene should improve growth and production in soybean and other legumes/crops under unfavorable conditions.

Early Triassic marine ecosystems experienced multiple environmental perturbations and a delayed biotic recovery following the end-Permian mass extinction. The Smithian–Spathian boundary (SSB), in the late Early Triassic, marks a major shift toward a less intensely warm climate, ameliorated marine environmental conditions, and the onset of a more sustained recovery of marine faunas. Accumulating geochemical evidence indicates that these developments were accompanied by large changes in global-ocean circulation during the Smithian–Spathian (S–S) transition. In the present study, tandem carbon and sulfur isotopic records were used to investigate changes in the marine carbon and sulfur cycles across the SSB and their potential relationship to global-ocean circulation changes. First, we conducted a carbon‑sulfur isotope study at two deepwater SSB sections (West Pingdingshan and Jiarong) in South China. High-resolution δ13Ccarb-δ34SCAS profiles show large positive excursions and strong correlations through the S–S transition, suggesting control by co-burial of organic matter and pyrite. Second, we reviewed global carbon‑sulfur isotope studies through the Smithian and Spathian substages. Similar to carbonate carbon isotopes, sulfate sulfur isotopes also show vertical gradient changes during the S–S transition. We link these changes to an expansion of oceanic oxygen-minimum zones (OMZs) in response to a cooling-driven re-invigoration of global-ocean circulation that triggered enhanced productivity on platform margins. OMZ expansion may have contributed to a second-order extinction among conodonts and ammonoids at the SSB, but the long-term shift toward more vigorous ocean circulation and better-ventilated watermasses is likely to have facilitated the overall recovery of marine biotas during the Spathian Substage of the late Early Triassic.

Amphiphilic functionalized montmorillonite (MMT) has been employed in hydrophobic compounds delivery systems. In the present study, MMT intercalated by 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APS) was employed for the delivery of the model compounds of resveratrol (RSV). The structure and surface morphology of APS-MMT were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and contact angle analysis. The loading and release efficiencies of RSV were also investigated. Our study showed that the aminosilane-modified MMT is promising for use in poorly water-soluble compounds carrier systems owing to their natural and excellent performance.

Bronze is one of copper alloy materials that have been widely used not only in the Bronze Age, but also nowadays because they are hard, easy to cast and resistant against corrosion. For bronze, tin is commonly used as the major non-copper ingredient of bronze because of many highly desirable characteristics including the fact that metallic tin is not toxic. We find that the tin bronze is a suitable electrode material for non-enzymatic electrochemical glucose sensing in saliva. For electrocatalytic oxidation of glucose on the bronze electrode, a negative potential is applied for proton reduction which creates a temporary alkaline condition. The sensor has a linear range from 0 to 320 μM with the regression equation: i = 11 + 0.015 C (i is the current in μA and C is the concentration in μM) with a correlation coefficient of 0.994. The sensitivity is found to be 480 μA mM−1 cm-2, and the detection limit is 6.6 μM with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. The electrode is found to be highly selective towards glucose oxidation in the presence of interfering species such as ascorbic acid and uric acid. The electrochemical senor is integrated into a smart toothbrush for monitoring of saliva glucose, which is potentially useful for non-invasive screening of diabetes. Compared with other electrochemical glucose sensors, a naked bronze electrode is used as the working electrode to ensure the robustness of the sensor. No additional reagent is involved for the electrochemical determination of saliva glucose and the electrode can be regenerated simply by mechanically polishing for long-term uses.

The interactions between tumor cells with their microenvironments, including hypoxia, acidosis and immune cells, lead to the tumor heterogeneity which promotes tumor progression. Here, we show that SIAH2-NRF1 axis remodels tumor microenvironment through regulating tumor mitochondrial function, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) polarization and cell death for tumor maintenance and progression. Mechanistically, low mitochondrial gene expression in breast cancers is associated with a poor clinical outcome. The hypoxia-activated E3 ligase SIAH2 spatially downregulates nuclear-encoded mitochondrial gene expression including pyruvate dehydrogenase beta via degrading NRF1 (Nuclear Respiratory Factor 1) through ubiquitination on lysine 230, resulting in enhanced Warburg effect, metabolic reprogramming and pro-tumor immune response. Dampening NRF1 degradation under hypoxia not only impairs the polarization of TAMs, but also promotes tumor cells to become more susceptible to apoptosis in a FADD-dependent fashion, resulting in secondary necrosis due to the impairment of efferocytosis. These data represent that inhibition of NRF1 degradation is a potential therapeutic strategy against cancer., Tumor cell-microenvironment interactions generate heterogeneity and promote progression. Here, Ma et al. show that the E3 ligase SIAH2 degrades NRF1 in response to hypoxia to enhance pro-tumor metabolic and environmental effects, whereas NRF1 stabilization sensitizes tumor cells to apoptosis.

Herein, a chip imitating the desert beetle shell was presented for naked eye nucleic acid quantification. The hydrophobic photonic crystal substrate treated by ultraviolet local irradiation could effectively disperse the sample into hundreds of droplets for digital loop-mediated isothermal amplification (dLAMP). Pyrophosphate (PPI), a by-product of the LAMP reaction, combined with magnesium ions to form a poorly soluble precipitate. It could be fixed on a silica substrate due to complexation, resulting in the disappearance of the structural color of the photonic crystals. The number of points without structural color contains the information of the copy number of nucleic acids in the sample. This chip could achieve the naked eye quantitative detection of Salmonella DNA without fluorescence or other chromogenic reagents. Thus, the chip designed in this study can help the development of digital nucleic acid detection under limited resource settings (LRS) and can be suitable for POCT (point of care test) standards.

Herein, ultra-small molybdenum carbide nanodots encapsulated in nitrogen-doped porous carbon (Mo2C/N-PC) were synthesized by a facile one-pot method. Ammonium molybdate and low-cost starch were used as precursors of Mo2C and C. Ammonium nitrate was selected as a nitrogen dopant, which played multiple roles in the reduction of MoC to Mo2C, nitrogen doping of carbon, and formation of a porous structure with abundant structural defects, thus avoiding the high-temperature reduction by H2/Ar. The optimized Mo2C/N-PC hybrid has a remarkable catalytic activity towards the HER over a wide pH range (0–14). Especially, under alkaline conditions, an overpotential as small as −100 mV vs. RHE could be achieved at 10 mA cm−2, comparable to that of the best Mo2C-based materials. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that a decreased Gibbs free energy for H* adsorption (ΔGH*) could be obtained by combining Mo2C with N-PC, proving the synergistic enhancement mechanism of nitrogen doping and structural defects. This material contains no noble metals and can be easily synthesized on a large scale; thus, it should have significant potential in hydrogen production.

Protein-drug binding mode prediction from the apo-protein structure is challenging because drug binding often induces significant protein conformational changes. Here, the authors report a computational workflow that incorporates a novel pocket generation method. First, the closed protein pocket is expanded by repeatedly filling virtual atoms during molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Second, after ligand docking toward the prepared pocket structures, binding mode candidates are ranked by MD/Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area. The authors validated our workflow using CDK2 kinase, which has an especially-closed ATP-binding pocket in the apo-form, and several inhibitors. The crystallographic pose coincided with the top-ranked docking pose for 59% (34/58) of the compounds and was within the top five-ranked ones for 88% (51/58), while those estimated by a conventional prediction protocol were 9% (5/58) and 50% (29/58), respectively. Our study demonstrates that the prediction accuracy is significantly improved by preceding pocket expansion, leading to generation of conformationally-diverse binding mode candidates. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Background Annexin A2 (ANXA2) plays a crucial role in acute pancreatitis (AP). However, its potential mechanism remains unclear. Methods In the present study, we used caerulein-treated AR42J rat pancreatic acinar cells as cell model of AP to investigate the potential functions of ANXA2 and its predicted long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) FOXF1 adjacent noncoding developmental regulatory RNA (lncRNA Fendrr). Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry using annexinV-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining. The expressions of ANAX2 and lncRNA Fendrr were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Furthermore, Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein levels of ANXA2, Bcl-2, and Bax. The association between lncRNA Fendrr and ANXA2 was disclosed by RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Results ANXA2 was elevated in caerulein-induced AP model and promoted apoptosis of AR42J cells. LncRNA Fendrr was also upregulated in AP cell model and directly bound ANXA2 protein. Further studies indicated that the interaction between ANXA2 and lncRNA Fendrr contributed to the apoptosis of AR42J cells in AP cell model. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that ANXA2 promoted AP progression via interacting with lncRNA Fendrr in vitro, which will provide a novel insight into the therapeutic target for AP.

Minimizing potential environmental risks of toxic metals is a prerequisite for recycling crop straw from contaminated farmlands. In this study, feedstocks of wheat straw were collected from paddy fields with low and high level of metal contamination and pyrolysed at temperature of 350 °C and of 550 °C, respectively. The produced biochars were subsequently extracted with hot water and potassium hydroxide solution. Contents of potentially toxic metals (PTEs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and mineral nutrients were analyzed both of the biochars and their extracts. To test the effect of the biochar extracts on plant growth and quality, a pot experiment was carried out with foliar amendment to Chinese cabbage. The results showed that contents of nutrients, PTEs and PAHs of both the biochars and their extracts differed significantly both between feedstocks and between pyrolysis temperatures. Total concentrations of PTEs and PAHs of the biochars were well under the recommended quality limits with their negligible presence in the biochar extracts. The pot experiment revealed a very significant promotion for cabbage yield and quality by the extracts of biochar pyrolysed at 350 °C, regardless of the feedstock. Thus, pyrolysing crop straw from metal contaminated fields at 350 °C could be an option to stabilize toxic metals in biochar as soil amendment but to recycle the biochar extract as foliar fertilizer to off-site crop production. Therefore, a viable mechanism is urged to develop in China where direct crop residue return has been state-funded under a policy of strict ban of straw burning.

Approximately 15–30% of patients with lung cancer harbor mutations in the EGFR gene. Major EGFR mutations (>90% of EGFR-mutated lung cancer) are highly sensitive to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Many uncommon EGFR mutations have been identified, but little is known regarding their characteristics, activation, and sensitivity to various EGFR-TKIs, including allosteric inhibitors. We encountered a case harboring an EGFR-L747P mutation, originally misdiagnosed with EGFR-del19 mutation using a routine diagnostic EGFR mutation test, which was resistant to EGFR-TKI gefitinib. Using this minor mutation and common EGFR-activating mutations, we performed the binding free energy calculations and microsecond-timescale molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, revealing that the L747P mutation considerably stabilizes the active conformation through a salt-bridge formation between K745 and E762. We further revealed why several EGFR inhibitors, including the allosteric inhibitor, were ineffective. Our computational structural analysis strategy would be beneficial for future drug development targeting the EGFR minor mutations.

Ethylene is a gaseous hormone which plays important roles in both plant growth and development and stress responses. Based on studies in the dicot model plant species Arabidopsis, a linear ethylene signaling pathway has been established, according to which ethylene is perceived by ethylene receptors and transduced through CONSTITUTIVE TRIPLE RESPONSE 1 (CTR1) and ETHYLENE-INSENSITIVE 2 (EIN2) to activate transcriptional reprogramming. In addition to this canonical signaling pathway, an alternative ethylene receptor-mediated phosphor-relay pathway has also been proposed to participate in ethylene signaling. In contrast to Arabidopsis, rice, a monocot, grows in semiaquatic environments and has a distinct plant structure. Several novel regulators and/or mechanisms of the rice ethylene signaling pathway have recently been identified, indicating that the ethylene signaling pathway in rice has its own unique features. In this review, we summarize the latest progress and compare the conserved and divergent aspects of the ethylene signaling pathway between Arabidopsis and rice. The crosstalk between ethylene and other plant hormones is also reviewed. Finally, we discuss how ethylene regulates plant growth, stress responses and agronomic traits. These analyses should help expand our knowledge of the ethylene signaling mechanism and could further be applied for agricultural purposes.

The coupling of aromatic electrophiles (aryl halides, aryl ethers, aryl acids, aryl nitriles etc.) with nucleophiles is a core methodology for the synthesis of aryl compounds. Transformations of aryl ketones in an analogous manner via carbon-carbon bond activation could greatly expand the toolbox for the synthesis of aryl compounds due to the abundance of aryl ketones. An exploratory study of this approach is typically based on carbon-carbon cleavage triggered by ring-strain release and chelation assistance, and the products are also limited to a specific structural motif. Here we report a ligand-promoted β-carbon elimination strategy to activate the carbon-carbon bonds, which results in a range of transformations of aryl ketones, leading to useful aryl borates, and also to biaryls, aryl nitriles, and aryl alkenes. The use of a pyridine-oxazoline ligand is crucial for this catalytic transformation. A gram-scale borylation reaction of an aryl ketone via a simple one-pot operation is reported. The potential utility of this strategy is also demonstrated by the late-stage diversification of drug molecules probenecid, adapalene, and desoxyestrone, the fragrance tonalid as well as the natural product apocynin.

Recently, we and other groups revealed that aberrant expression of Kv10.1 channel, a voltage-gated potassium ion channel, contributes to a variety of tumorigenesis process. Potent and selective inhibitor of Kv10.1 is urgently needed, both as pharmacological tools for studying the physiological functions of this enigmatic channel and as potential leads for development of anti-tumor drugs. In this study, Procyanidin B1, a natural compound extracted from the grape seed, was identified as a potent, specific inhibitor, which can inhibit the Kv10.1 channel in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 10.38 ± 0.87 μM), but has negligible effects on other potassium channels, including Kir2.1, HERG or KCNQ1. It was demonstrated that Procyanidin B1 directly binds to Kv10.1 channel and inhibits its currents, without increasing intracellular Ca2+. Further, three amino acids, I550, T552, and Q557 in the C-linker domain of Kv10.1 were found critical for forming the binding pocket of Procyanidin B1 with Kv10.1 channel. In addition, Procyanidin B1 inhibits migration and proliferation of liver cancer cells (HuH-7 cells, HepG2 cells) through inhibiting Kv10.1, but not in Kv10.1 negatively expressed cell lines. Next, we assayed the tumor suppressing effect of Procyanidin B1 on cell line-derived xenograft mouse model. Our data showed that 15 mg/kg Procyanidin B1 can significantly suppress the growth of the tumor (HepG2) with an inhibition rate of about 60.25%. Compared with cisplatin, Procyanidin B1 has no side effect on the normal metabolism of the mice. The present work indicated that Procyanidin B1 is a proming liver cancer anti-tumor drug, and also confirmed that Kv10.1 can serve as a potential, tumor-specific drug target.

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Ethylene plays essential roles during adaptive responses to water-saturating environments in rice, but knowledge of its signaling mechanism remains limited. Here, through an analysis of a rice ethylene-response mutant mhz1, we show that MHZ1 positively modulates root ethylene responses. MHZ1 encodes the rice histidine kinase OsHK1. MHZ1/OsHK1 is autophosphorylated at a conserved histidine residue and can transfer the phosphoryl signal to the response regulator OsRR21 via the phosphotransfer proteins OsAHP1/2. This phosphorelay pathway is required for root ethylene responses. Ethylene receptor OsERS2, via its GAF domain, physically interacts with MHZ1/OsHK1 and inhibits its kinase activity. Genetic analyses suggest that MHZ1/OsHK1 acts at the level of ethylene perception and works together with the OsEIN2-mediated pathway to regulate root growth. Our results suggest that MHZ1/OsHK1 mediates the ethylene response partially independently of OsEIN2, and is directly inhibited by ethylene receptors, thus revealing mechanistic details of ethylene signaling for root growth regulation., Ethylene regulates adaptive root growth during waterlogging in rice. Here, the authors identify MHZ1 (aka OsHK1), a histidine kinase that positively regulates the root ethylene response by interacting with the ethylene receptor ERS2 and promoting phosphorylation of the response regulator, OsRR21.

Perspiration contains valuable information indicating physiological health. For most wearable perspiration sensors, the sensing element contacts with skin directly. Yet lack of precise fluidic manipulation unit limits accurate and continuous analysis considering perspiration aggregation, evaporation loss and electrolyte reabsorption by sweat glands. The potential skin irritation caused by the chemicals in the sensor is also a safety concern. In this work, we report a wearable microfluidic device with fluidic manipulation unit based on capillary force to address these issues. Inspired by wicking materials for wiping perspiration in our daily life, herein, we use biocompatible threads to collect perspiration by capillary absorption. Then the collected perspiration was spontaneously delivered to a hydrophilic microfluidic channel, forming a continuous flow. Electrodes were embedded in the microfluidic channel for continuous electrochemical analysis and to avoid the direct skin contact. On-body tests demonstrated that continuous perspiration collection, transportation and analysis of Na+ as a proof-of-concept analyte can be achieved using the pump-free epidermal microfluidic device.

Significance Auxin signaling components participate in ethylene-mediated inhibition of root elongation. However, the interplay between TIR1/AFB2-auxin-Aux/indole acetic acid (IAA) signaling and ethylene response remains to be elucidated in detail. In this study, we report an E3 ubiquitin ligase soil-surface rooting 1 (SOR1), which targets a noncanonical Aux/IAA protein OsIAA26 for 26S proteasome-mediated degradation. The E3 ligase activity of SOR1 can be repressed by the canonical Aux/IAA protein OsIAA9, which is the target of OsTIR1/AFB2. Our study identifies a potential regulator that modulates auxin-mediated ethylene response at the auxin signaling level., Plant hormones ethylene and auxin synergistically regulate plant root growth and development. Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis of Aux/IAA transcriptional repressors by the E3 ubiquitin ligase SCFTIR1/AFB triggers a transcription-based auxin signaling. Here we show that rice (Oryza sativa L.) soil-surface rooting 1 (SOR1), which is a RING finger E3 ubiquitin ligase identified from analysis of a rice ethylene-insensitive mutant mhz2/sor1-2, controls root-specific ethylene responses by modulating Aux/IAA protein stability. SOR1 physically interacts with OsIAA26 and OsIAA9, which are atypical and canonical Aux/IAA proteins, respectively. SOR1 targets OsIAA26 for ubiquitin/26S proteasome-mediated degradation, whereas OsIAA9 protects the OsIAA26 protein from degradation by inhibiting the E3 activity of SOR1. Auxin promotes SOR1-dependent degradation of OsIAA26 by facilitating SCFOsTIR1/AFB2-mediated and SOR1-assisted destabilization of OsIAA9 protein. Our study provides a candidate mechanism by which the SOR1-OsIAA26 module acts downstream of the OsTIR1/AFB2-auxin-OsIAA9 signaling to modulate ethylene inhibition of root growth in rice seedlings.

Significance The ethylene signaling pathway has been extensively investigated in Arabidopsis, and EIN2 is the central component. Rice is a monocotyledonous model plant that exhibits different features in many aspects compared with the dicotyledonous Arabidopsis. Thus, rice provides an alternative system for identification of novel components of ethylene signaling. In this study, we identified a stabilizer of OsEIN2 through analysis of the rice ethylene-insensitive mutant mhz3. We found that MHZ3 stabilizes OsEIN2 likely by binding to its Nramp-like transmembrane domain and impeding protein ubiquitination, blocking proteasome-mediated protein degradation. This study reveals that MHZ3 is required for ethylene signaling and identifies how MHZ3 binds to OsEIN2 via the OsEIN2 N-terminal Nramp-like domain., The phytohormone ethylene regulates many aspects of plant growth and development. EIN2 is the central regulator of ethylene signaling, and its turnover is crucial for triggering ethylene responses. Here, we identified a stabilizer of OsEIN2 through analysis of the rice ethylene-response mutant mhz3. Loss-of-function mutations lead to ethylene insensitivity in etiolated rice seedlings. MHZ3 encodes a previously uncharacterized membrane protein localized to the endoplasmic reticulum. Ethylene induces MHZ3 gene and protein expression. Genetically, MHZ3 acts at the OsEIN2 level in the signaling pathway. MHZ3 physically interacts with OsEIN2, and both the N- and C-termini of MHZ3 specifically associate with the OsEIN2 Nramp-like domain. Loss of mhz3 function reduces OsEIN2 abundance and attenuates ethylene-induced OsEIN2 accumulation, whereas MHZ3 overexpression elevates the abundance of both wild-type and mutated OsEIN2 proteins, suggesting that MHZ3 is required for proper accumulation of OsEIN2 protein. The association of MHZ3 with the Nramp-like domain is crucial for OsEIN2 accumulation, demonstrating the significance of the OsEIN2 transmembrane domains in ethylene signaling. Moreover, MHZ3 negatively modulates OsEIN2 ubiquitination, protecting OsEIN2 from proteasome-mediated degradation. Together, these results suggest that ethylene-induced MHZ3 stabilizes OsEIN2 likely by binding to its Nramp-like domain and impeding protein ubiquitination to facilitate ethylene signal transduction. Our findings provide insight into the mechanisms of ethylene signaling.

Here we report an efficient Cu(i)-mediated C–H amination reaction with oximes as amino donors to introduce NH2 groups directly., Here we report an efficient Cu(i)-mediated C–H amination reaction with oximes as amino donors to introduce NH2 groups directly. Various strongly coordinating heterocycles including quinoline, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyrazole and triazole were tolerated well. The potential utility was further demonstrated in a late-stage modification of telmisartan (an antagonist for the angiotensin II receptor).

Here we report a bio-inspired photonic nitrocellulose array for ultrasensitive nucleic-acid detection. The patterned photonic nitrocellulose array is inspired by the Stenocara beetle living in the desert, which can collect water on its bumpy back surface from early morning fogs so that spontaneous generation of separated reaction droplets for loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based detection is enabled. Owing to the slow-photon effect of the photonic nitrocellulose, the fluorescence signal of calcein produced during the LAMP reaction can be effectively enhanced (up to 32 fold), which results in dramatically improved sensitivity for the detection of single nucleic acids in 40 min. We demonstrate that Staphylococcus aureus (SA) DNA can be quantitatively detected with a limit-of-detection of 0.60 copy per μL. The consumption of reagents and sample is also remarkably reduced owing to the highly decreased dead volume of the nitrocellulose substrate. Therefore, this bio-inspired photonic nitrocellulose array is promising for carrying out inexpensive, ultrasensitive, and high-throughput nucleic-acid detection under resource-limited settings.

In this study, a facile atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is used for the synthesis of nitrogen and sulfur co-doped hollow carbon sphere (NSC). Nano-CaCO3 is used as template for the formation of hollow and highly hierarchical porous carbon structure. The doped percentages of N and S can be easily regulated by changing the ratio of N and S precursors and the deposition temperature. The obtained NSC is highly active for the catalytic oxidation of organic pollutants with peroxymonosulfate (PMS) as oxidant, and the reaction rate constant is 4.5 and 32.7 times faster than the single N or S doped samples, respectively. The PMS activation mechanism is comprehensively investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and radical quenching tests. Superoxide intermediate (O2•−) and singlet oxygen (1O2) play the dominant role for phenol degradation. Moreover, with the introduction of secondary doped S atoms, more O2•− are generated for organics degradation. The excellent catalytic activity of NSC should be resulted from the optimized N and S doping percentages and large specific surface area (SSA). The synthesis strategy in this study provides a facile and low-cost synthetic method for heteroatom doped carbon materials and would expand the application of metal-free materials in the environmental remediation field.

Clutch disengaging dynamic characteristics, including the disengaging duration and the variations of friction pair gaps and friction torque, are crucial to the shifting control of an automatic transmission. In the present paper, the influence of lubrication oil (ATF) temperature on disengaging dynamic characteristics is investigated through a comprehensive numerical model for the clutch disengaging process, which considers the hydrodynamic lubrication, the asperity contact, the heat transfer, the spline resistance, and the impact between the piston and clutch hub. Moreover, the non-uniformity coefficient (NUC) is proposed to characterize the disengaging uniformity of friction pairs. As the ATF temperature increases from 60 °C to 140 °C, the clutch disengaging duration shortens remarkably (shortened by 55.1%); besides, the NUC sees a decreasing trend before a slight increase. When the ATF temperature is 80 °C, the distribution of friction pair gaps is most uniform. During the disengaging process, the increase of ATF temperature not only accelerates the change of the lubrication status between friction pairs but also contributes to the decrease of contact torque and hydrodynamic torque. This research demonstrates for the first time, evidence for clutch disengaging dynamic characteristics with the consideration of ATF temperature.

The constitutive model is the crucial part for the finite element analyses. To study the elasto-plastic properties of unbound granular materials (UGMs) under repeated vehicular loads, an elasto-plastic constitutive model called revised spatially mobilized plane (SMP) was proposed and validated. In this study, the revised SMP model was used for the plastic strain analyses of a typical three-layer pavement structure. To make comparisons, the Mohr-Coulomb and Druck-Prager models were employed for the numerical computation. The results show that plastic tensile and compressive strains in the horizontal and vertical directions appear on the top surface of UGM using the revised SMP model, but no plastic strains are produced by the Mohr-Coulomb and Druck-Prager models. The distribution of plastic strains in the revised SMP model had a good relationship with the actual loading areas under the vehicular loading, which related to the rutting. With the Mohr-Coulomb and Druck-Prage models, a great plastic strain was produced during the first several loading cycles and hardly increased in the following loading cycles, while the plastic strain in the revised SMP model presented an obvious increasing tendency with increased loading cycles. The predicted permanent deformations of the revised SMP, Mohr-Coulomb and Druck-Prage models were 0.557 mm, 0.78 mm and 0.155 mm, respectively. Our work reveals that the Mohr-Coulomb model may over-predict and Druck-Prage model may under-predict the rutting of pavement in early loading stage and the results proved that the revised SMP model had advantages in the description of the plastic strain of UMG under repeated loads.

Summary Non-degradative ubiquitin chains and phosphorylation events govern signaling responses by innate immune receptors. The deubiquitinase CYLD in complex with SPATA2 is recruited to receptor signaling complexes by the ubiquitin ligase LUBAC and regulates Met1- and Lys63-linked polyubiquitin and receptor signaling outcomes. Here, we investigate the molecular determinants of CYLD activity. We reveal that two CAP-Gly domains in CYLD are ubiquitin-binding domains and demonstrate a requirement of CAP-Gly3 for CYLD activity and regulation of immune receptor signaling. Moreover, we identify a phosphorylation switch outside of the catalytic USP domain, which activates CYLD toward Lys63-linked polyubiquitin. The phosphorylated residue Ser568 is a novel tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-regulated phosphorylation site in CYLD and works in concert with Ser418 to enable CYLD-mediated deubiquitination and immune receptor signaling. We propose that phosphorylated CYLD, together with SPATA2 and LUBAC, functions as a ubiquitin-editing complex that balances Lys63- and Met1-linked polyubiquitin at receptor signaling complexes to promote LUBAC signaling., Graphical abstract, Highlights • CAP-Gly domains in CYLD are ubiquitin (Ub)-binding domains • CAP-Gly3 is indispensable for full CYLD catalytic activity • Phosphorylation of Ser568 activates CYLD Lys63-Ub DUB activity • Ub binding and phosphorylation impacts CYLD regulation of receptor signaling, Elliott et al. show that the catalytic activity of CYLD relies on ubiquitin binding via its CAP-Gly3 domain, and they identify a phosphorylation switch that stimulates cleavage of Lys63-Ub. Cellular work provides evidence that phosphorylated CYLD balances Lys63- and Met1-linked polyubiquitin at receptor signaling complexes to promote LUBAC signaling.

Regulating the folding state by denaturants is essential for the structure and function of proteins. Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) is usually regarded as a model for protein denaturation. The effects of urea, as a denaturant, on the aggregations of PNIPAM was studied by temperature-dependent near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, and particularly the variation of water structures was analyzed. The NIR spectra of the polymer-urea solutions containing different polymer concentrations were measured at different temperatures. N-way principal component analysis (NPCA) was performed to observe the spectral information. Three principal components (PCs) containing the spectral information of CH groups were obtained, showing three kinds of CH in the system. Obvious dehydration of the three CH groups occurs at 27.5 °C in solution, but the temperature turns to 27 °C for two kinds of the CH and 26.5 °C for the third one, respectively, in the urea-add solution. The effect of urea on the formation of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds that promotes polymer folding is suggested. The spectral information of NH in urea molecule indicates that the direct interaction of urea and polymer facilitates the stability of the polymer globule state. Furthermore, the spectral information of OH shows that the release of the water molecules with three hydrogen bonds (S3), which may connect the NH and CO groups in PNIPAM in solution, leads to the phase transition. When urea is added, urea may reduce the content of the S3 water to facilitate the release, making the phase transition at a low temperature.

A bis-uracil derivative with a long aliphatic chain of 11 carbon atoms, USU-C, was synthesized by an optimized method. The migration rate test indicated that USU-C had better migration resistance compared to OSU. This advantage enabled the PVC samples containing USU-C to maintain good transparency and low haze for a long time. It had also been proven USU-C has better thermal stability and whiteness retention than OSU by the thermal stability tests. Based on summarizing this work and our previous studies, a new design method was proposed to enhance the transparency and thermal stability effect of thermal stabilizers on PVC based on Hansen solubility parameters (HSP) theory. Impressively, the quantitative mathematical function between the HSP and the carbon atom number in the long aliphatic chain of bis-uracil derivatives was also derived, which could be used to guide the structure design of new bis-uracil derivatives with long term migration resistance, preeminent transparency, and high thermal stability for PVC in the follow-up study, even other organic thermal stabilizers.

Deformation and recrystallization microtextures during the asymmetrical hot rolling (ASHR) process were investigated for a high-Mn austenitic steel by means of electron backscattered diffraction. The effects of velocity ratio and rolling reduction on the texture evolution were also analyzed. It was found that with the increase in velocity ratio and rolling reduction, the surface layer of 60% rolled ASHR plate develops a shear texture containing the γ-fiber, rotated cube and rotated copper components, but in the central layer is still a fcc rolling texture with a minor rotation around the transverse direction. The formation of surface shear texture could be understood as a consequence of the increased shear strain level, and it followed some certain crystallographic rotational relationships with the fcc rolling texture components. Additionally, the change of deformation texture under ASHR condition had an influence on the recrystallization texture, in which the proportion of {112} and {113} orientations was slightly improved, due to their rapid growth advantage and the orientation heredity of rotated copper shear texture.

Based on the principle of the interfacial polymerization method and the mechanism of polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether (JH-230), which can be used to adjust the molecular structure of the polymer, four kinds of hydrogenated bisphenol A epoxy resin (AL-3040) particles were prepared by the hydrogenated bisphenol A epoxy resin (AL-3040), polypropylene glycol diglycidyl ether (JH-230), isophorone diamine (IPDA), gum acacia powder and distilled water with different molar ratios between the AL-3040 and the JH-230. The curing process and molecular structures of the AL-3040 particles were measured by the fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), the thermal property and glass-transition temperature (Tg) of the cured AL-3040 particles were studied by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the corresponding particle size distribution and the microscopic structure were observed by the laser particle size analyzer and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The needle penetration, softening point and recovery performance of asphalt with and without the cured AL-3040 particles (Tg = 14.8 °C) were tested by the asphalt penetration test, asphalt softening point test and elasticity recovery test, respectively. Results show that the complete curing time of the AL-3040 particles were extended and the Tg of the cured AL-3040 particles decreased with increased JH-230 content. The AL-3040 particles are smooth regular balls and homogeneous in distribution. It is suggested that the complete curing time and the Tg of cured AL-3040 particles can be controlled by adjusting the JH-230 content. It has proven that the AL-3040 particles are beneficial to improving the recovery performance of the asphalt. The results lead to a solution to the asphalt pavement distress problems caused by the temperature variations.

Cultivated soybeans may lose some useful genetic loci during domestication. Introgression of genes from wild soybeans could broaden the genetic background and improve soybean agronomic traits. In this study, through whole-genome sequencing of a recombinant inbred line population derived from a cross between a wild soybean ZYD7 and a cultivated soybean HN44, and mapping of quantitative trait loci for seed weight, we discovered that a phosphatase 2C-1 (PP2C-1) allele from wild soybean ZYD7 contributes to the increase in seed weight/size. PP2C-1 may achieve this function by enhancing cell size of integument and activating a subset of seed trait-related genes. We found that PP2C-1 is associated with GmBZR1, a soybean ortholog of Arabidopsis BZR1, one of key transcription factors in brassinosteroid (BR) signaling, and facilitate accumulation of dephosphorylated GmBZR1. In contrast, the PP2C-2 allele with variations of a few amino acids at the N-terminus did not exhibit this function. Moreover, we showed that GmBZR1 could promote seed weight/size in transgenic plants. Through analysis of cultivated soybean accessions, we found that 40% of the examined accessions do not have the PP2C-1 allele, suggesting that these accessions can be improved by introduction of this allele. Taken together, our study identifies an elite allele PP2C-1, which can enhance seed weight and/or size in soybean, and pinpoints that manipulation of this allele by molecular-assisted breeding may increase production in soybean and other legumes/crops.

Background Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) have important roles in driving chemoresistance. We previously reported that iASPP is a key EMT inducer and could increase cisplatin resistance in cervical cancer (CC) cells. Herein, we investigate the downstream mechanisms through which iASPP contributes to EMT and cisplatin resistance in CC. Methods By using a lentiviral system, we investigated the effects of iASPP knockdown on CC cell growth and chemosensitivity of CC cells to cisplatin in vivo. We examined if miR-20a, which was up-regulated following iASPP overexpression, would influence metastatic phenotypes and cisplatin resistance in CC cells, and explored the possible molecular mechanisms involved. Results Knockdown of iASPP suppressed CC cell proliferation and sensitized CC cells to cisplatin in vivo. iASPP promotes miR-20a expression in a p53-dependent manner. Upregulation of miR-20a induced EMT and the recovery of CC cell invasion and cisplatin chemoresistance that was repressed by iASPP knockdown. We identified FBXL5 and BTG3 as two direct miR-20a targets. Silencing of FBXL5 and BTG3 restored cell invasion and cisplatin chemoresistance, which was suppressed by iASPP or miR-20a knockdown. Reduced FBXL5 and BTG3 expression was found in CC samples and associated with poor prognosis in CC patients. Conclusions iASPP promotes EMT and confers cisplatin resistance in CC via miR-20a-FBXL5/BTG3 signaling. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13046-017-0520-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.