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Herein, the intrinsic nanomechanical transition of calcium-(alumino)silicate-hydrate (C-(A)-S-H) upon ultra-low temperature attack and the potential role of aluminum incorporation as a bottom-up enhancement strategy are investigated. C-(A)-S-H is experimentally synthesized using an efficient hydrothermal reaction, and statistical AFM-based indentation, nitrogen sorption, SEM, and AFM observations are carried out. Note that the C-A-S-H is clarified in more ordered topographic features than Al-free C-S-H. The nanomechanical measurements reveal that the ultra-low temperature attack provoked the nano-brittleness of C-(A)-S-H. Nevertheless, the nanomechanical degradation is seen for Al-free C-S-H only. This brittle transition is attributed to the rise of the high-density phase fraction, though the elastic moduli of its decomposed phases decrease. In comparison, the brittle transition of C-A-S-H is ascribed to the increasing elastic moduli of its decomposed phases. It is further proved that such transitions are irrelevant to the packing nature of gel grains but involved with the variation of their intrinsic nanomechanical natures since the gel pore systems remain stable under the ultra-low temperature attack. These results advance fundamental knowledge toward developing cryogenic stable cement-based materials from a bottom-up insight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low-carbon calcium (alumino)silicate hydrate (C-(A)-S-H) based composites (e.g., blended cement-based materials and alkali-activated materials) have broad application potential in ultra-low-temperature engineering areas. This study devotes to reveal the structural stability of C-(A)-S-H under ultra-low temperature attack (−170 °C) and evaluating the role of aluminum as a bottom-up enhancement strategy for C–S–H. The atomic structure, interlayer structure, internal basic building block structure, pore network, and micro-morphology were experimentally studied using 29Si MAS NMR, XRD, helium pycnometry, nitrogen adsorption, and SEM. These results indicate that an ultra-low temperature attack can deteriorate C-(A)-S-H structure, even though without the presence of bulk water, whereas the incorporation of aluminum positively stabilizes C-(A)-S-H structure. The silicate chains of Al-free C–S–H are ruptured with more defective vacant sites, which consequently initiates a decline in its d 002 interlayer space and the volume collapse of basic building blocks, further resulting in the formation of microcracks. In contrast, aluminosilicate chains of C-A-S-H are more stable and even polymerized with longer chain length, stabilizing the micro/mesostructure. An upscaling degradation route from the atomic scale to mesoscale was proposed, providing a multiscale view to understand the degradation of concrete composites upon ultra-low temperature attack. We also confirm that incorporating aluminum in the silicate chains is an effective bottom-up strategy to enhance the cryogenic stability of C-(A)-S-H. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many evidences show the inverse correlation between helminth infection and allergic or autoimmune diseases. Identification and characterization of the active helminth-derived products responsible for the beneficial effects on allergic or inflammatory diseases will provide another feasible approach to treat these diseases. Methods and Findings: Colitis was induced in C57BL/6 mice by giving 3% DSS orally for 7 days. During this period, the mice were treated daily with the excretory/secretory products from T. spiralis adult worms (AES) intraperitoneally. The severity of colitis was monitored by measuring body weight, stool consistency or bleeding, colon length and inflammation. To determine the T. spiralis AES product-induced immunological response, Th1, Th2, Th17 and regulatory cytokine profiles were measured in lymphocytes isolated from colon, mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN), and the spleen of treated mice. The CD4+ CD25+ FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were also measured in the spleens and MLN of treated mice. Mice treated with AES significantly ameliorated the severity of the DSS-induced colitis indicated by the reduced disease manifestations, improved macroscopic and microscopic inflammation correlated with the up-regulation of Treg response (increased regulatory cytokines IL-10, TGF-beta and regulatory T cells) and down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IFN-gamma, IL-6 and IL-17) in the spleens, MLN and colon of treated mice. Conclusions: Our results provide direct evidences that T. spiralis AES have a therapeutic potential for alleviating inflammatory colitis in mice. This effect is possibly mediated by the immunomodulation of regulatory T cells to produce regulatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most vertebrates exhibit sexual dimorphisms in size, colour, behaviour, physiology and many others. The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) male individuals reach a larger size than females which produce significant economic implications in aquaculture. However, the mechanisms of sex determination and plastic patterns of sex differentiation in P. sinensis remain unclear. Here, comparative transcriptome analysis on male and female embryonic gonads prior to gonad formation and stages mediated gonadal differentiation of P. sinensis were performed to characterize the potential sex-related genes and their molecular pathways in P. sinensis. A total of 6369 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from day 9 and day 16 and assigned to 626 GO pathways and 161 KEGG signalling pathways, including ovarian steroidogenesis pathway, steroid hormone biosynthesis pathways, and the GnRH signalling pathway (P < 0.05). Moreover, protein interaction network analyses revealed that Akr1c3 , Sult2b1 , Sts , Cyp3a , Cyp1b1 , Sox30 and Lhx9 might be key candidate genes for sex differentiation in P. sinensis. These data provide a genomic rationale for the sex differentiation of P. sinensis and enrich the candidate gene pool for sex differentiation. [Display omitted] • A large number of DEGs were identified in the gonad of male and female P. sinensis embryos. • RNA-seq analysis showed that some enriched pathways were involved in the process of sex differentiation in P. sinensis. • We have identified some new candidate genes that are closely related to sex differentiation in P. sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica) displays temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), in which incubation temperature during embryonic development determines the sexual fate of the individual. However, the mechanism of the sex determination/differentiation of Mauremys mutica remains a mystery. Here, we first analyzed the temperature-specific gonadal transcriptomes of Mauremys mutica prior to gonad formation and gonads during the thermosensitive period. We uncovered a list of candidates that respond to temperature stimuli enriched in several categories, such as heat shock protein family members dnajb6a , dnaja4 , hspa8 and hsp90aa1 , temperature sensor genes mmp17 and mmp28 , and putative novel temperature-responsive genes tmco6 , gria3 and eif3f. Notably, striking differences were identified in the expression profiles of genes underlying sexual development, such as tex15 , insr , igf1r , cirbp , esr1 , dmrt2 and Serpinh1. Moreover, we analyzed the similarity and divergence of the timecourse of gene expression among Mauremys mutica and two other reported TSD turtles (Trachemys scripta and Chrysemys picta). The shared genes revealed the common gonad-specific regulatory mechanisms existing in these three TSD turtles that initiate their sexual development. Therefore, our findings could provide basic data to elucidate the mechanisms of sex determination/differentiation of M. mutica , even contributing to further understanding of these mechanisms in other TSD turtles. [Display omitted] • A list of candidates genes that respond to temperature stimuli were identified in Mauremys mutica. • Striking differences were identified in the expression profiles of genes underlying sexual development of Mauremys mutica. • Eight shared genes associate with common gonad-specific regulatory mechanisms were identified in the three TSD turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crucial roles of miRNAs in regulating animal growth, development, and disease resistance have been extensively reported, but their roles in relation to the reproductive capacity of aquatic animals (numbers of eggs laid and hatchlings), especially reptiles, remain unclear. In this study, high-throughput sequencing technology was used to screen miRNAs related to reproductive capacity based on the construction of a cDNA library of ovaries from higher-fecundity (HF) and lower-fecundity (LF) M. mutica. The results showed that 15,767,494 (93.98%) and 14,137,621 (94.17%) high-quality reads were obtained from the HF and LF groups, respectively. We screened 131 miRNAs that were differentially expressed between the HF and LF groups, of which 78 were upregulated and 53 were downregulated compared with the M. mutica reference genome. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of the target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs revealed significant differences in the enrichment frequencies of genes associated with ATP binding and proteolysis between the HF and LF groups, while the tricarboxylic acid cycle, glucagon signaling pathway and vitamin B6 metabolic pathway were shown to potentially help determine reproductive capacity. Ten miRNAs were verified by qRT-PCR to confirm the reliability and accuracy of the sequencing results, and a miRNA-mRNA target gene interaction network was constructed. These results will further our understanding of the regulatory mechanism of miRNAs in regards to turtle reproductive capacity. [Display omitted] • 131 differentially expressed miRNAs were detected between higher fecundity group and lower fecundity group. • There were 10 differentially expressed miRNAs validated by using qRT-PCR. • A miRNA-mRNA target gene interaction network was constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The cryogenic attacks led to an increase in the adsorption energy of the first adsorbed layer on C-S-H. • The mesopore structure C-S-H with a higher Ca/Si ratio is better preserved under the impacts of the harshly cryogenic attack. • The ultramicropores and small supermicropores are more sensitive to the cryogenic attack than other larger micropores. • The harshly cryogenic attack has resulted in higher complexity and irregularity of mesopores and macropores of C-S-H. This study carried out a comprehensive nitrogen adsorption evaluation on the cryogenic attack impacts on the micropores and mesopores of calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H). Pore volume and pore size distribution were analyzed by using Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH), non-local density function theory (NLDFT), Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR), and Horvath-Kawazoe (H-K) methods. Surface fractal dimensions were analyzed by Frenkel-Halsey-Hill (FHH) model. The tortuosity factors were estimated using the corrugated pore structure model (CPSM) simulation. Results show that the cryogenic attack may chemically transform C-S-H surface, leading to a higher attraction to the adsorbates. The mesopores of C-S-H with a high Ca/Si ratio were better preserved. Furthermore, the ultramicropores and small supermicropores are more sensitive to the cryogenic attack than those larger micropores. In addition, it is found that the cryogenic attack has a significant influence in increasing the complexity and irregularity of the C-S-H mesopore structure. The CPSM simulation results provide additional evidence for the microcrack formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The growth pattern of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is remarkably sexually dimorphic. However, the molecular mechanism of this phenomenon has been studied mainly in the gonadal tissues of P. sinensis, and no article has been published on the study of sex differentiation in the brain of P. sinensis. Here, we performed a whole transcriptome analysis of the brains of adult female and male P. sinensis. We obtained a set of differentially expressed genes and transcription factors, which we annotated with GO and KEGG, and screened some genes and pathways related to growth. In addition, through GESA analysis, we screened out two genes, LHX1 and FGF7, which are related to both growth and sex differentiation, and through protein interaction analysis of these genes, we screened out eight genes and verified the expression levels of these eight genes in the brain of P. sinensis by qRT-PCR, which supported the reliability and accuracy of our transcriptome analysis. This study provides a solid foundation for analyzing the growth mechanism of sexual dimorphism in P. sinensis and even other turtles. The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is an economically important species in aquaculture, and its growth pattern is characterized by significant sexual dimorphism. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon have mostly been investigated in the gonadal tissues of P. sinensis, and there are no articles on sex differentiation from the brain of P. sinensis. Here, we analyzed transcriptomes of the brains of adult male and female P. sinensis using high-throughput Illumina sequencing technology, establishing a set of differential genes and differential transcription factors. The data showed that there were 908 genes with significant differences in expression, of which 357 genes were up-regulated and 551 genes were down-regulated. We annotated using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and screened some genes and pathways related to growth. There were 282 growth-related differential genes and 181 sex-related differential genes. We screened the genes' growth hormone receptor (GHR) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), which may be related to the growth of P. sinensis. The pathways related to the growth and development of P. sinensis are the growth hormone synthesis, secretion, and action pathway; the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway; and the calcium signaling pathway. In addition, through gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), we screened out two genes, LIM homeobox protein 1 (LHX1) and fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), which are related to both growth and sex differentiation, and through protein interaction analysis of these genes, we screened out eight genes, including LHX1, FGF7, GHR, fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4), EGFR, BMP3, GLI family zinc finger 2 (GLI2), and neuronal differentiation 1 (NEUROD1), and verified the expression levels of these eight genes in the brain of the P. sinensis by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), which supported the reliability and accuracy of our transcriptome analysis. Our study provides a solid foundation for analyzing the mechanisms of sexual-dimorphic growth of P. sinensis and even other turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Northern snakehead (Channa argus) is a significant economic aquaculture species in China. Exhibiting sexual dimorphism in the growth rate between females and males, mono-sex breeding holds substantial value for aquaculture. This study employed GWAS and transcriptome analysis were applied to identify sex determination genomic regions and develop sex-specific markers. A total of 270 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 31 insertion-deletions (InDels) were identified as being sexually dimorphic through GWAS and fixation index (Fst) scanning. Based on GWAS results, two sex-specific InDel markers were developed, effectively distinguishing genetic sex for XX females, XY males, and YY super-males via (polymerase chain reaction) PCR amplification. A major genomic segment of approximately 115 kb on chromosome 3 (Chr 03) was identified as the sex-determination region. A comparative transcriptome analysis of gonads for three sexes identified 158 overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Additionally, three sex-related candidate genes were identified near the sex determination region, including id2, sox11, and rnf144a. Further studies are required to elucidate the functions of these genes. Overall, two sex-specific InDel markers support a male heterogametic XX/XY sex-determination system in Northern snakeheads and three candidate genes offer new insights into sex determination and the evolution of sex chromosomes in teleost fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Analysis the parameters adjustment range of the traditional method. • A dual parameters method was proposed to expand the range. • The best parameters selection is obtained by particle swarm optimization. • Our method has better balance between accuracy and diversity. With the unprecedented development in the internet technology, the information overload issues have become more and more complex, resulting in users being unable to obtain the target information accurately and effectively in selecting the required information from a large pool of surfed data. In view of this a recommendation system can be used to predict the user's selection probability for different potential objects as an important tool, which can help to solve the information overload issues. So far, many personalized recommendation algorithms based on bipartite graphS have been proposed, most of which are based on the similarity degree among users or items, such as collaborative filtering (CF), mass diffusion (MD) and heat conduction (HC). Among many recommendation algorithms, the performances of algorithms are varied. MD algorithm has high recommendation accuracy but poor diversity, while HC algorithm has good diversity but low accuracy. In order to solve the dilemma in accuracy and diversity, some hybrid recommendation algorithm have been proposed. This paper has mainly focused on the hybrid recommendation algorithm HHM, and pointed out its shortcomings. Based on the reconsideration of the effect of item popularity in the recommendation process, an improved hybrid recommendation algorithm using dual parameter called IHM was proposed. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was applied to the parameter optimal of the hybrid recommendation algorithm to obtain the parameters of the algorithm. Experiments on 3 real datasets indicated that the IHM algorithm is better than HHM algorithms in terms of the recommendation accuracy, diversity and novelty. Meanwhile, the IHM algorithm can also improve the recommendation for items with lower popularity and solve the cold start problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The phyllosphere microflora community changed rapidly during freeze–thaw period. • The bacterial communities mainly responded to changes of environmental factors, whereas the fungal communities were affected by both environmental factors and litter quality factors. • The bacterial communities were similar between woody litter and herbaceous litter, whereas the fungal communities differed obviously. Litter decomposition plays an important role in the nutrient cycle of terrestrial ecosystems. The alpine wetland has a high litter accumulation rate and a slow degradation rate, which is extremely sensitive to changeable freeze–thaw patterns against the background of global climate change. Freeze-thaw process is a common natural phenomenon in middle-high latitudes and high altitudes. Hydrothermal changes caused by freezing and thawing process affect the survival and physiological characteristics of microorganisms, and then affect the decomposition process of litters. The alpine wetland could be an ideal example for wetland in high altitude to study the mechanism of microbial community structure and function during litter composition during freeze–thaw process. Moreover, seldom has research in the whole process in the fields. The bacterial and fungal communities were analyzed in three different Carex litter decomposition stages—fresh, four-, and six-month—during the freeze–thaw period using 16/18S rDNA pyrosequencing. Phyllosphere microflora had identified rapid changes in the structure and function. Bacteria were mainly influenced by environmental factors (air temperature, soil moisture), and were significantly related to the degradation of litter lignin and the change of C/N ratio. Fungi were affected by both litter quality and environmental factors, and were significantly related to the degradation of cellulose and the change of C/N ratio. Moreover, phyllosphere organisms, including bacteria (Cryobacterium and Paracoccus members) and fungi (Mrakia , Mrakiella , and Naganishia), were replaced by communities with specific metabolic capabilities to adapt to each particular decomposition stage. Ilumatobacter and the fungal genera, Mycosphaerella and Athelia were characteristic of four-month-old litter samples, whereas Brevundimonas , Paracoccus and Nigrospora were characteristic of six-month-old litter samples. Our results suggest that the bacterial community structures of Carex and forest litter during initial decomposition stages may be similar but that their fungal community structures may differ substantially. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Flexural strength and compressive strength of UHPC before and after cryogenic attack were studied. • Cryogenic damage variable of UHPC were investigated. • Fracture characteristics and micromorphology of UHPC were analyzed. As one of the most common extreme environments, cryogenic temperature will directly threaten the structural safety of normal service concrete, and engender the premature deterioration of the structure performance. In this paper, steel fiber, polypropylene fiber, and polyvinyl alcohol fiber were selected to prepared ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), and the effects of different fibers on flexural strength and compressive strength of UHPC subjected to cryogenic attack were investigated. The results indicated that the addition of steel fiber and PVA fiber improved the flexural strength and compressive strength of UHPC. After the cryogenic attack, the flexural strength of UHPC increased by 70.06% with the increase of length-to-diameter ratio of steel fiber, and the peak deflection increased from 0.501 mm ~ 0.919 mm to 0.609 mm ~ 1.302 mm. Conversely, the flexural strength of UHPC with PVA fiber and PP fiber decreased by 33.76% and 33.18%, respectively. The peak deflection of UHPC with PVA fiber decreased from 0.106 mm to 0.064 mm. When the length-to-diameter ratio of steel fiber was 65, UHPC reached the highest compressive strength of 173.06 MPa. The compressive strength of UHPC decreased after the cryogenic attack. PVA fiber and PP fiber absorbed a lot of water, which affected the cement hydration in UHPC, thus reducing the strength of UHPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of C-S-H nanostructures with varying bulk CaO/SiO 2 (C/S) ratios under cryogenic attack (−170 °C) was experimentally studied by means of XRD, TG, SEM-EDS, 29Si MAS NMR, and FTIR. An efficient hydrothermal method was adopted to synthesize C-S-H by accelerating the thermodynamic equilibrium. The results show that the C-S-H atomic structure with a lower bulk C/S ratio is more stable under cryogenic attack. Ca2+ is more likely to leach out from C-S-H with a high C/S ratio. An increase in the bound water fraction was also observed in C/S1.5. At the atomic level, the number of interlayer Ca2+ per tetrahedral site in C/S1.5 significantly decreased from 0.201 to 0.083. The number of vacant bridging sites in C/S2.0 declined from 0.208 to 0.178, probably indicating a slight polymerization. Based on the deconvolution results of 29Si MAS NMR spectra, three reaction equations were proposed to characterize these observed variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The elastic modulus of C-S-H decreased after cryogenic attack. • The volumetric stability of C-S-H grains under cryogenic attack was highly related to C/S ratio. • The cryogenic attack resulted in the collapse of the intraglobular pores of C-S-H basic building blocks. The cryogenic attack (−170 °C) degradation mechanisms to cement-based materials have not reached an overwhelming consensus. This work aimed to reveal the degradation role of cryogenic attack to the physical properties of calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) with varying CaO/SiO 2 (C/S) ratios. The topographic features, nanomechanical property, and volumetric stability of C-S-H grains and the basic building blocks were progressively investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), AFM-based indentation, nitrogen adsorption, and short-term helium inflow. The results revealed that the cryogenic attack could lead to degradation to C-S-H itself even without the presence of water. Firstly, the elastic moduli of individual C-S-H phases such as Low-Density (LD) C-S-H and High-Density C-S-H decreased, this nanoscale mechanical degradation was consistent with the macroscopic mechanical degradation of cement-based materials. Secondly, microcracks formed in C-S-H phases under the cryogenic attack. These destructive microcracks were likely to form inside or between C-S-H grains, which was dependent on C/S ratios. Thirdly, the cryogenic attack resulted in collapse of the intraglobular pores, leading to volume shrinkage of C-S-H basic building blocks, which initiates the formation of local defects and microcracks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, with high incidence and low survival rates. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors play an important role in the progression of LUAD. In this study, a screening of 17 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor allosteric agents revealed that spinosad effectively suppressed the proliferation of LUAD cells. The experiments demonstrated that spinosad induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and stimulated apoptosis, thereby impeding the growth of LUAD and enhancing the responsiveness to gefitinib in vitro and vivo. Mechanistic insights obtained through transcriptome sequencing, Co-IP, and protein immunoblots indicated that spinosad disrupted the interaction between CHRNA5 and EGFR, thereby inhibiting the formation of downstream complexes and activation of the EGFR signaling pathway. The supplementation of exogenous acetylcholine showed to mitigate the inhibition of LUAD cell proliferation induced by spinosad. This study elucidates the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of spinosad in LUAD, and offers a theoretical and experimental foundation for novel LUAD treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichinella spiralis maintains chronic infections within its host, involving a variety of immunomodulatory properties, the mechanisms of which have not been completely elucidated. In this study, we found that T. spiralis infection induced strong regulatory T cell responses through parasite excretory–secretory (ES) products, characterized by increase of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ and CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ Treg cells accompanied by high levels of IL-10 and TGF-β. T. spiralis adult worm excretory–secretory products (AES) and muscle larvae excretory–secretory products (MES) were both able to activate BMDCs in vitro to facilitate their maturation and to create regulatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β. The T. spiralis AES- and MES-pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) possessed abilities not only to present antigens to sensitized CD4+ T cell to stimulate their proliferation but also to induce naive CD4+ T cells to differentiate to Treg cells secreting IL-10 and TGF-β. The passive transfer of T. spiralis AES- and MES-pulsed bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) conferred the naive mice to acquire the differentiation of Treg cells. T. spiralis AES possesses a better ability to induce Treg cells than did MES, although the latter has the ability to induce CD4+CD25−Foxp3+ Treg cells. The results obtained in this study suggested that T. spiralis ES products stimulate the differentiation of host Treg cells possibly through activating dendritic cells to create a regulatory environment that benefits the survival of the parasite in the host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, metallic powder coatings (MPC) were investigated as base powder coatings incorporating metallic flakes, providing finishes with a sparkly metallic effect. While MPC offers environmental advantages over liquid coatings by eliminating the usage of solvents, it presents challenges in achieving an intensified and stable metallic effect required by high-end products. This is primarily due to the limitations of the friction-based bonding technique, such as non-selective heating, employed in the current commercial production of MPC. To address this challenge, a microwave-based bonding method was developed that utilizes microwave energy as the heating source instead of stirring friction. This innovative approach leverages the selective heating properties of microwaves to produce qualified MPCs suitable for high-end products. Compared to the current friction-based method with a heating rate of approximately 4 ∘ C/min, microwave heating achieved a significantly faster heating rate of approximately 16 ∘ C/min, owing to the interface polarization effect. The microwave heating engendered a heightened efficacy in forging bonds between coating particles and Al flakes. As a consequence, in scenarios where equal weight percent of Al flakes was introduced, the microwave-treated specimens evinced a stronger metallic effect and enhanced stability compared to friction-heated ones. Furthermore, three-dimensional images of the Al flakes in the coating confirmed that microwave-heated films manifested an elevated flip-flop effect. Tribocorrosion test outcomes underscored that microwave-heated films exhibited higher open circuit potentials (OCP), indicating superior corrosion resistance, alongside better wear resistance compared to friction-heated ones. The microwave-based method obtained stronger and more stable MPCs with better corrosion and wear resistance, showing the promising potential for the expansion of MPC applications into the domain of high-end commodities. [Display omitted] • Innovatively using 2.45 GHz microwaves for heating/bonding metallic powder coatings. • Interface polarization of microwaves greatly improved bonding efficiency. • Microwave heating enhanced film stability and intensity significantly. • Microwave heating improved film wear/corrosion resistance vs. friction heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Asian yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica) is an important commercial freshwater aquaculture species in China. This species is a highly sexually dimorphic species, with males growing at a faster rate than females and exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD), in which the incubation temperature during embryonic development determines the sexual fate. However, the mechanisms of the sex determination or sex differentiation in the Asian yellow pond turtle are remain a mystery. Results: Temperature-specific gonadal transcriptomics of the Asian yellow pond turtle were performed during the thermosensitive period (stage 15) using RNA-seq technology to identify candidate genes that initiate gonadal differentiation. We uncovered candidates that were the first to respond to temperature. These candidates were sexually dimorphic in expression, reflecting differences in gonadal (Cirbp, Runx1) and germline differentiation (Vasa, Nanos1, Piwil2), gametogenesis (Hmgb3, Zar1, Ovoinhibitor-like, Kif4), steroid hormone biosynthesis (Hsd17b5, Hsd17b6), heat shock (Dnajb6, Hsp90b1, Hsp90aa1) and transient receptor potential channel genes (Trpm1, Trpm4, Trpm6, Trpv1). Conclusions: Our work will provide important genetic information to elucidate the mechanisms of sex control in the Asian yellow pond turtles, and will contribute important genetic resources for further studies of temperature-dependent sex determination in turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectrum is a key environmental factor, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can influence the growth and development of crustaceans by altering the composition of the spectrum. This study conducted a 30-day experiment to investigate the effects of five LED spectra (red, yellow, blue, green, and white light) on the growth, antioxidant and immune enzyme activities, stress hormone levels, and the expression of α-amylase (α-AMY), ecdysone receptor (EcR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) genes in juvenile redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus). The results show that the survival rate of juveniles is markedly higher in the yellow and red-light groups than in the other three groups (P < 0.05). The green light group exhibits the lowest survival rate, yet it demonstrates the highest weight gain rate and specific growth rate. Regarding enzyme activity and hormone levels, the yellow light group shows the lowest malondialdehyde content, with higher superoxide dismutase and acid phosphatase activity than the other groups; no significant differences are observed in lysozyme activity among the groups (P > 0.05). The melatonin content in the green and blue light groups is significantly higher than that in the other three groups (P < 0.01). In terms of growth gene expression, the expression of α-AMY, EcR, and RXR in juvenile C. quadricarinatus is regulated by the spectrum. In conclusion, when raised under the yellow light spectrum, juvenile C. quadricarinatus displays elevated survival rates, rapid growth, and robust antioxidant and immune defenses. This study provides important technical parameters for optimizing and enhancing the industrial cultivation of juvenile C. quadricarinatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Soil organic carbon (SOC) stability greatly affects soil carbon sequestration capacity and carbon emissions, is related to soil bacterial communities, but it remains unclear whether such relationships exist in alpine wetland biogeomorphic succession. Methods: Here, we used a space-for-time approach across hydrological gradients, and alpine wetland succession can be divided into three types: "Swamp" (S), "Swamp Meadow" (SM), and "Meadow" (M) to examine the dynamics change of SOC fractions and bacterial communities. Results: The succession from S-SM-M resulted in decreased SOC stability (SM and M decreased by 18.65% and 31.88% compared to S). Furthermore, the decrease in SOC stability was primarily due to the decrease in soil moisture during succession and moisture-induced changes in bacterial community structure. e.g., the relative abundance of Proteobacteria decreased significantly by 40.99% and 52.87% in SM and M, while the relative abundance of Acidobacteria increased by 43.49% and 185.04% in SM and M compared to S. Co-occurrence network and random forest analyses further identified that changes in keystone taxa of bacteria, including Deltaproteobacteria, Acidimicrobiia, Bacteroidia and Gammaproteobacteria, were associated with SOC stability. Conclusions: In conclusion, bacteria shifted their community composition to reduce SOC stability in response to soil moisture variations during succession, and underscores the importance of identifying keystone taxa that are crucial for maintaining SOC stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome of the sleepy cod (Oxyeleotris lineolatus) is determined for the first time in this study. It is a circular molecule of 16,519 bp in length, consisting 37 genes, typically found in other vertebrates. The AT content of the overall base composition of the whole mitogenome was 53.90%, while the control region was 62.59%. The protein-coding genes and 6 CSBs were identified. The sequence information could play an important role in the study of phylogenetic relationships between the sleepy cod and its related species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genomes of three lineages (N, TW and S) ofMauremys muticaare determined in this study. The total lengths of the mitogenomes were 16,758 bp for N, 16 500bp for TW, and 16 494bp for S. The nucleotide composition was 26.3–27% for T, 26.2–26.8% for C, and 33.8–33.9% for A. The genomes encoded 37 genes typically found in other vertebrates. Three CSBs were identified, and the CSB1 were variable. A long tandem repeats of (TTATTATA) 30 were found in the control region of N mitogenome, but none in TW and S lineage. These sequences would be useful for the phylogenetic and conservation studies of Asian endangered turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The DKK gene family plays an important role in immune mechanisms and embryonic development, but studies on Pelodiscus sinensis have not been reported. In this study, for the first time in the context of P. sinensis, we analyzed the relevant features of the DKK gene family using bioinformatics methods and constructed transcriptional profiles and tissue expression profiles. The DKK1 and DKK3 genes were found to be highly expressed in the ovaries, while DKKL1 and DKK4 were significantly differentiated in the testes. In this study, we preliminarily investigated the function of the DKK gene family in the context of P. sinensis, and this study lays the foundation for further systematic research on the molecular mechanism of sex differentiation in P. sinensis. The DKK family is a canonical small family of WNT antagonists. Though recent studies have suggested that the DKK gene family may be involved in sex differentiation in Pelodiscus sinensis, there are still a lot of things about the DKK gene family that we do not know. In this study, we used bioinformatics methods to identify members of the DKK gene family in P. sinensis and analyzed their phylogeny, covariance, gene structure, structural domains, promoter conserved sites, signal peptides, gonadal transcription factors, transcriptional profiles, and tissue expression profiles. Additionally, qRT-PCR results were utilized for the validation and preliminary investigation of the function of the DKK gene family in P. sinensis. The results showed that the DKK gene family is divided into six subfamilies, distributed on six different chromosomal scaffolds containing different gene structures and conserved motifs with the same structural domains, and all of the members were secreted proteins. Our transcriptional profiling and embryonic expression analysis showed that DKKL1 and DKK4 were significantly expressed in the testes, whereas DKK1 and DKK3 were significantly upregulated in the ovaries. This suggests a potential function in sex differentiation in P. sinensis. Our results may provide a basic theoretical basis for the sex differentiation process in P. sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Asian yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica) is widely traded in China, and its artificial breeding has now become a major industry. However, the insufficient offspring supply and reproductive decline of farmed turtles make wild turtles more vulnerable. The present study was mainly designed to quantify the fecundity of M. mutica and attempt to screen for good reproductive performance in females. The parent–offspring relationships of all offspring in four consecutive years were confirmed using sixteen microsatellite loci. We also summarised the reproductive results of all females and counted the annual number of offspring and the variation in the number of offspring. The females were then divided into three types (stable, undulating and levelling off) according to the continuity. This study can provide the basis and materials for the creation of a good reproductive group and the study of the reproductive biology of turtles in M. mutica aquaculture. The Asian yellow pond turtle (Mauremys mutica) is widely traded in China, and its artificial breeding has now become a major industry. However, the insufficient offspring supply and reproductive decline of farmed turtles make the wild turtles more vulnerable. The present study was mainly designed to quantify the fecundity of M. mutica and attempt to screen for good reproductive performance in females. The genetic variability of the population and its genetic structure were also analysed. The parent–offspring relationships of all offspring in four consecutive years were confirmed using sixteen microsatellite loci. The genetic variability between the parents and offspring was low, and offspring of different years also showed little variability. We summarised the reproductive results of all females and counted the annual number of offspring and the variation in the number of offspring. The females were then divided into three types (stable, undulating and levelling off) according to the continuity. We selected seven females with good reproductive ability, which provided 16.94% of the annual contributions, while there were two females that had no offspring in four years. We also analysed the possible reasons for this difference and the importance of carrying out a family survey. This research can provide the basis and materials for the creation of a good reproductive group and the study of the reproductive biology of turtles in M. mutica aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In aquaculture, the survival and health of aquatic organisms are influenced greatly by external environmental factors. Photoperiod is one of the key environmental factors that affect the early growth, survival, metabolism, and immune system of crustaceans significantly. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of photoperiod on the growth, survival, enzyme activity, body color, and expression of growth-related genes in juvenile redclaw crayfish. Five photoperiod experimental groups were established (0L:24D, 6L:18D, 12L:12D, 18L:6D, and 24L:0D), each with three replicates, and reared for 30 days. The group with an 18L:6D photoperiod had higher juvenile crayfish survival rates, better growth performance, stronger antioxidant stress response, and immune defense capabilities. Additionally, artificial photoperiods altered the body color of the redclaw crayfish. The results of the present study lay a foundation for the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying photoperiod regulation of the physiological and biochemical responses of juvenile redclaw crayfish. Through a 30-day experiment, this study investigated the effects of five photoperiods (0L:24D, 6L:18D, 12L:12D, 18L:6D, and 24L:0D) on the survival, enzyme activity, body color, and growth-related gene expression of redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) juveniles. The results showed that C. quadricarinatus juveniles under 18L:6D and 24L:0D photoperiods exhibited the highest survival rate, which was significantly higher than the survival rates of juveniles under the other three photoperiods (p < 0.05). However, the 0L:24D group had the highest final body weight and weight gain rate, significantly surpassing those of the 12L:12D, 18L:6D, and 24L:0D groups (p < 0.05). Regarding enzyme activity and hormone levels, juveniles under the 18L:6D photoperiod exhibited relatively higher activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), acid phosphatase (ACP), and lysozyme (LZM) enzymes than those under other photoperiods, but their levels of melatonin and cortisol were relatively low. In addition, the 24L:0D group showed the highest malondialdehyde (MDA) content. Analysis of gene expression levels revealed that retinoid X receptor (RXR) and α-amylase (α-AMY) genes in C. quadricarinatus juveniles exhibited significantly higher expression levels under the 18L:6D photoperiod than those under the other four photoperiods (p < 0.05). With increasing daylight exposure, the body color of C. quadricarinatus changed from pale blue to yellow–brown. In summary, C. quadricarinatus juveniles achieved high survival rates, good growth performance, strong antioxidant stress response, and immune defense capabilities under an 18 h photoperiod. Therefore, in the industrial seedling cultivation of redclaw crayfish, it is recommended to provide 18 h of daily light. Further, the study demonstrated the ability to manipulate the body color of C. quadricarinatus through controlled artificial photoperiods. These findings provide essential technical parameters needed for the industrial cultivation of C. quadricarinatus juveniles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Male and female Chinese soft-shelled turtles (Pelodiscus sinensis) have sex-dimorphic growth patterns, and males have higher commercial value because of their larger size and thicker calipash. Thus, developing sex-specific markers is beneficial to studies on all-male breeding in P. sinensis. Here, we developed an accurate and efficient workflow for the screening of sex-specific sequences with ZW or XY sex determination systems. Based on this workflow, female and male P. sinensis reference genomes of 2.23 Gb and 2.26 Gb were obtained using de novo assembly. After aligning and filtering, 4.01 Mb female-specific sequences were finally identified. Subsequently, the seven developed sex-specific primer pairs were 100% accurate in preliminary, population, and embryonic validation. The presence and absence of bands for the primers of P44, P45, P66, P67, P68, and P69, as well as two and one bands for the PB1 primer, indicate that the embryos are genetically female and male, respectively. NR and functional annotations identified several sex-determining candidate genes and related pathways, including Ran, Eif4et, and Crkl genes, and the insulin signaling pathway and the cAMP signaling pathway, respectively. Collectively, our results reveal that a ZW-type sex-determination system is present in P. sinensis and provide novel insights for the screening of sex-specific markers, sex-control breeding, and the studies of the sex determination mechanism of P. sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional thermoset powder coatings typically require curing at a high temperature of 190 °C for a minimum duration of 15 min, which poses challenges when applying them to heat-sensitive substrates and results in elevated energy costs. A solution known as low-temperature-curing powder coating (LCPC) has been developed to address this issue. By normally incorporating the curing catalyst into the coating system via hot extrusion, LCPC can achieve either a reduced curing temperature or a shortened curing period. However, the current extrusion method used for catalyst incorporation leads to undesirable side effects, such as compromised surface quality, shorter shelf-life and a narrower operational window for the hot-extrusion process involved in producing powder coatings. To overcome these challenges, a new strategy is proposed in this study, in which the tailor-made nano-catalyst is post-dry-blended into the powder coating instead of subjecting it to hot treatment with coating ingredients. This dry-blending catalyst (DBC), encapsulating nanosized fumed silica with catalysts by impregnation method, is introduced to the powder coating system before spraying, eliminating the need for hot-kneading into the powder coating system at the beginning. The DBC is attached to the surface of the particle realizing the interparticle contact mode and latening the catalysis. The dry-blended low-temperature-curing powder coating (DB-LCPC), containing a 0.03 % dosage of onium salt and 0.035 % of 2-methylimidazole, is identified as the optimum formulation due to its excellent surface quality, prominent chemical and mechanical characteristics. The sample successfully achieved low-temperature curing or a shortened curing time while maintaining excellent mechanical properties and chemical resistance. Furthermore, it exhibited superior coating appearances and a longer shelf-life compared to the hot-extruded sample. This novel DBC method has the potential to greatly enhance the adoption of low-temperature-curing powder coatings. • A novel post-blending strategy is proposed to prepare low-cure powder coatings. • Interparticle contact mode of catalyst and coating particles are realized. • The diffusion between DBC and molten resin physically latened the catalytic curing. • DBC low-cure coatings show excellent mechanical property and chemical resistance. • DBC low-cure coatings exhibit superior coating appearances and a longer shelf-life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) exhibits a higher fatality rate among all cancer types worldwide, yet the precise mechanisms underlying its initiation and progression remain unknown. Mounting evidence suggests that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert significant regulatory roles in cancer development and progression. Nevertheless, the precise involvement of lncRNA CYP4A22-AS1 in LUAD remains incompletely comprehended. Methods: Bioinformatics analyses evaluated the expression level of CYP4A22-AS1 in lung adenocarcinoma and paracancer. The LUAD cell line with a high expression of CYP4A22-AS1 was constructed to evaluate the role of CYP4A22-AS1 in the proliferation and metastasis of LUAD by CCK8, scratch healing, transwell assays, and animal experiments. We applied transcriptome and microRNA sequencing to examine the mechanism of CYP4A22-AS1 enhancing the proliferation and metastasis of LUAD. Luciferase reporter gene analyses, west-blotting, and qRT-PCR were carried out to reveal the interaction between CYP4A22-AS1, miR-205-5p/EREG, and miR-34c-5p/BCL-2 axes. Results: CYP4A22-AS1 expression was significantly higher in LUAD tissues than in the adjacent tissues. Furthermore, we constructed a LUAD cell line with a high expression of CYP4A22-AS1 and noted that the high expression of CYP4A22-AS1 significantly enhanced the proliferation and metastasis of LUAD. We applied transcriptome and microRNA sequencing to examine the mechanism of CYP4A22-AS1 enhancing the proliferation and metastasis of LUAD. CYP4A22-AS1 increased the expression of EREG and BCL-2 by reducing the expression of miR-205-5p and miR-34-5p and activating the downstream signaling pathway of EGFR and the anti-apoptotic signaling pathway of BCL-2, thereby triggering the proliferation and metastasis of LUAD. The transfection of miR-205-5p and miR-34-5p mimics inhibited the role of CYP4A22-AS1 in enhancing tumor progression. Conclusion: This study elucidates the molecular mechanism whereby CYP4A22-AS1 overexpression promotes LUAD progression through the miR-205-5p/EREG and miR-34c-5p/BCL-2 axes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]