Search

For a ∈ (0 , 1 / 2 ] and r ∈ (0 , 1) , let μ a (r) and m a (r) be the generalized Grötzsch ring function and generalized Hübner function, respectively. In this paper, the authors mainly study the dependence on the parameter a of μ a (r) and m a (r) , and present several properties of μ a (r) and m a (r) , as functions of a ∈ (0 , 1 / 2 ] for arbitrarily given r ∈ (0 , 1) . The obtained results improve and extend some previously well-known results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transportation sector is under increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by decarbonizing its operations. One prominent solution that has emerged is the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). As the electric vehicles market experiences rapid growth, the utilization of lithium-ion batteries (LiB) has become the predominant choice for energy storage. However, it is important to note that lithium-ion battery technology is sensitive to factors, like excessive voltage and temperature. Therefore, the development of an accurate battery model and a reliable state of charge (SOC) estimator is crucial to safeguard against the overcharging and over-discharging of the battery. Numerous studies have been conducted to address lithium-ion battery cell modeling and SOC estimations. These studies have explored variations in the number of RC networks within the model and different estimation methods. However, it is worth mentioning that the capacity of a single lithium-ion battery cell is relatively low and cannot be directly employed in electric vehicles. To meet the total capacity and voltage requirements for electric vehicles, multiple cells are typically connected in series or parallel configurations to form a battery pack. Surprisingly, this aspect has often been overlooked in previous research. To tackle this overlooked challenge, our study introduces a comprehensive battery pack model and an advanced Battery Management System (BMS). We then integrate these components into an electric vehicle model. Subsequently, we simulate the integrated EV-BMS model under the conditions of four different urban driving scenarios to replicate real-world driving conditions. The BMS that we have developed includes an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF)-based SOC estimation system, a mechanism for controlling coolant flow, and a passive cell-balancing algorithm. These components work together to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the battery pack within the electric vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current state of research on C02 sequestration and Nano cementing cement is discussed. Leaching action, carbonization action, dissolving action, synergistic action, and cement's anti-corrosion mechanism are the main components of the C02 corrosion mechanism on cement. Currently, there are three approaches to enhance cementing cement's ability to resist C02 corrosion: #properly lower the alkaline content of cementing cement; (Lower the cementing cement's calcium-silicon ratio Ca/Si); Fill the cement's internal and external pores to stop C02 contusive fluid from entering the cement. The effectiveness of the Nano cementing slurry against C02 corrosion is vehemently discussed. The use of nano-modified weel cement for C02 storage was considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has now spread to most countries and regions of the world. Risk factors associated with multi-drug resistant organism (MDRO) infections in patients with COVID-19 have not been well studied yet. In the present study, we aimed to identify the risk factors associated with the MDRO infections and their impact on in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between December 2019 and April 2020 at two tertiary hospitals in Wuhan, China. Data of cases were collected through electronic medical records system. This study was focused on cases with bacterial culture records. Risk factors and outcomes associated with MDRO infections were analyzed using logistic regression model. Results: Of the 2891 patients, 370 patients have bacterial culture results, and MDROs were isolated in 38 patients. Respiratory tract infections (67.3%) were the most common hospital acquired infections. Variables independently associated with MDRO infections were dyspnea at admission (odds ratio (OR) 4.74; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.06-10.88; P < 0.001), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (OR 5.02; 95% CI 1.99-12.63; P < 0.01), and invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 5.13; 95% CI 2.15-12.27; P < 0.001), adjusted for age and gender. MDROs infection was also a significant risk factor of death for the patients, adjusted for age, gender, severity of illness, ICU admission and mechanical ventilation (OR 1.12, 95% CI: 0.43-2.96, P = 0.817). Conclusion: In our study, dyspnea at admission, ICU admission and invasive mechanical ventilation were associated with the presence of MDRO infections, and clinicians should be alert in MDRO infections in COVID-19 hospitalized patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing degradable bio-plastics has been considered feasible to lessen marine plastic pollution. However, unanimity is still elusive regarding the actual degradability of bio-plastics such as polylactide (PLA) and poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB). Thus, herein, we studied the degradability of fabrics made from PLA/PHB blends in marine seawater. The dry-mass percentage of the PLA/PHB fabrics decreased progressively from 100% to 85~90% after eight weeks of immersion. Two environmental aging parameters (UV irradiation and aerating) were also confirmed to accelerate the abiotic hydrolysis of the incubated fabrics. The variation in the molecular structure of the PLA/PHB polymers after the degradation process was investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). However, the hydrolysis degradability of bulky PLA/PHB blends, which were used to produce such PLA/PHB fabrics, was negligible under identical conditions. There was no mass loss in these solid PLA/PHB plastics except for a decrease in their tensile strength. Finally, a deep learning artificial neural network model was proposed to model and predict the nonlinear abiotic hydrolysis behavior of PLA/PHB fabrics. The degradability of PLA/PHB fabrics in marine water under the synergistic destructive effects of seawater, UV, and dissolved oxygen provides a pathway for more sustainable textile fibers and apparel products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Edge centrality has found wide applications in various aspects. Many edge centrality metrics have been proposed, but the crucial issue that how good the discriminating power of a metric is, with respect to other measures, is still open. In this paper, we address the question about the benchmark of the discriminating power of edge centrality metrics. We first use the automorphism concept to define equivalent edges, based on which we introduce a benchmark for the discriminating power of edge centrality measures and develop a fast approach to compare the discriminating power of different measures. According to the benchmark, for a desirable measure, equivalent edges have identical metric scores, while inequivalent edges possess different scores. However, we show that even in a toy graph, inequivalent edges cannot be discriminated by three existing edge centrality metrics. We then present a novel edge centrality metric called forest centrality (FC). Extensive experiments on real-world networks and model networks indicate that FC has better discriminating power than three existing edge centrality metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-haired individuals in the Tianzhu white yak population are a unique genetic resource, and have important landscape value. Copy number variation (CNV) is an important source of phenotypic variation in mammals. In this study, we used resequencing technology to detect the whole genome of 10 long-haired Tianzhu white yaks (LTWY) and 10 normal-haired Tianzhu white yaks (NTWY), and analyzed the differences of CNV in the genome of LTWYs and NTWYs. A total of 110268 CNVs were identified, 2006 CNVRs were defined, and the distribution map of these CNVRs on chromosomes was constructed. The comparison of LTWYs and NTWYs identified 80 differential CNVR-harbored genes, which were enriched in lipid metabolism, cell migration and other functions. Notably, some differential genes were identified as associated with hair growth and hair-follicle development (e.g., ASTN2, ATM, COL22A1, GK5, SLIT3, PM20D1, and SGCZ). In general, we present the first genome-wide analysis of CNV in LTWYs and NTWYs. Our results can provide new insights into the phenotypic variation of different hair lengths in Tianzhu white yaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious microbial diseases are a major public health hazard, calling for more innovative antimicrobials. Herein, polylactic acid (PLA) oligomers have been explored and reported as a bio-safe and eco-friendly functional antimicrobial agent against pathogens, such as viruses (H1N1, H3N2, and SARS-CoV-2), bacteria (E. coli, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, MRSA), and fungi (C. albicans). The PLA oligomers were prepared by direct catalyst-free condensation polymerization of l-lactic acid monomers and characterized by FT-IR and 1H-NMR. The antiviral results demonstrate that PLA oligomers possess robust (inhibiting rate > 99%) and rapid (<20 min) antiviral activity against two pandemic ssRNA viruses, including influenza A virus (IAV) and coronavirus (CoV). Furthermore, the PLA oligomers exhibit high antibacterial activities against both Gram negative (G−) and Gram positive (G+) bacteria. The PLA oligomers also perform efficiently in killing a large amount of C. albicans as high as 105 cfu/mL down to zero at the concentration of 10 mg/mL. Thus, the broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity endowed the PLA oligomers with a promising biocidal option, except antibiotics in a wide range of applications, such as medical textiles, food preservation, water disinfection, and personal hygiene, in light of their unique biodegradability and biocompatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Following surgical repair after peripheral nerve injury, neuropathic pain diminishes in most patients but can persist in a small proportion of cases, the mechanism of which remains poorly understood. Based on the spared nerve injury (SNI), we developed a rat nerve repair (NR) model, where a delayed reconstruction of the SNI-injured nerves resulted in alleviating chronic pain-like behavior only in a subpopulation of rats. Multiple behavioral measures were assayed over 11-week presurgery and postsurgery periods (tactile allodynia, pain prick responses, sucrose preference, motor coordination, and cold allodynia) in SNI (n = 10), sham (n = 8), and NR (n = 12) rats. All rats also underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging under anesthesia at multiple time points postsurgery, and at 10 weeks, histology and retrograde labeling were used to calculate peripheral reinnervation. Behavioral measures indicated that at approximately 5 weeks postsurgery, the NR group separated to pain persisting (NR persisting, n = 5) and recovering (NR recovering, n = 7) groups. Counts of afferent nerves and dorsal root ganglion cells were not different between NR groups. Therefore, NR group differences could not be explained by peripheral reorganization. By contrast, large brain functional connectivity differences were observed between NR groups, where corticolimbic reorganization paralleled with pain recovery (repeated-measures analysis of variance, false discovery rate, P < 0.05), and functional connectivity between accumbens and medial frontal cortex was related both to tactile allodynia (nociception) and to sucrose preference (anhedonia) in the NR group. Our study highlights the importance of brain circuitry in the reversal of neuropathic pain as a natural pain-relieving mechanism. Further studies regarding the therapeutic potentials of these processes are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of the organic fertilizers can improve soil properties and agricultural product quality, while the in-depth effect of organic fertilizer needs further exploration. In this study, the apple fruit (Malus pumila Mill.) quality, soil physicochemical characteristics, and microbial community under different fertilizers including control without fertilizer (CK), composted manure (CM), biogas slurry (BS), and chemical fertilizer (CF) were systematically investigated, and each treatment was repeated three times in completely random block plots with equal NPK content of fertilizer applied in each treatment. The CM treated apple fruit were observed with the best vertical diameter (78.72 ± 4.32 mm), transverse diameter (87.51 ± 1.3 mm), and color index (L* = 55.48 ± 5.48, b* = 18.96 ± 1.86). Meanwhile, the CM and BS treated apple fruit had higher flesh firmness than that of CK and CF treatment, implying that the organic fertilization can improve the storability and crispy taste apple fruit. Furthermore, the total sugars, essential amino acid, crude protein, total acids, and soluble solid contents of apple fruit were also significantly improved by using CM and BS fertilizer due to the resulting higher N, P, and organics content in soil. The application of organic fertilizer also dramatically enhanced the bacterial and fungi diversity, which may contribute to better soil respiration. The results obtained in this study reveals the insight effect of organic fertilizer on improvement of fruit quality and soil health and can supply technical assistance to organic cultivation of apple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimization of pore characteristics is of pivotal importance for enhancing the capacitive performance of activated carbons (ACs) in supercapacitor applications. This study delved into the impact of porous structures, developed through varying activation temperatures (350–850 ֩C), on capacitive performance of wood derived activated carbons (ACs). Our findings revealed that AC 350 , possessing the highest micropore surface area (S micro) of 903.38 m2 g-1 and a micropore volume (V micro) of 0.43 cm3g-1, exhibited the lowest specific capacitance (SC) of 13 Fg-1. This suggests that a higher SC is not significantly associated with a greater quantity of micropores. Conversely, AC 850 , with a peak S meso of 1472.89 m2 g-1 and V meso of 1.24 cm3g-1, demonstrate a SC of only 83 Fg-1, indicating that the higher SC is not significantly correlated with an increased amount of mesopores either. However, AC 650 displayed an optimal SC of 123 Fg-1, with an ideal S meso /S micro ratio of 2.16 and V meso /V micro ratio of 5.50. This underscores that the superior capacitive performance of ACs based electrode materials is intricately linked to an effective amalgamation of micro- and meso-pores. By strategically manipulating the pore composite structure to augment the charge storage capability of activated carbon electrode materials, we can enhance the energy density of capacitors. This advancement is poised to further propel the application of biomass-derived activated carbon and its composite capacitor technology in energy storage domains. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine plastic pollution is emerging as a potential hazard to global ecosystems and human health. Micro-fibers derived from synthetic textiles contribute a considerable proportion of plastic debris. Bio-polymers/bio-plastics have been proposed for the application of apparel products, yet their degradability, fate, durability and related environmental parameters are still elusive and need further exploration. Herein, we report the degradation behavior of poly(lactide acid)/poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PLA/PHB) fabrics, made from PLA/PHB multi-filament yarns, in subtropics marine seawater. The degradation experiments were performed under various parallel conditions including static seawater, aerobic seawater in dark box, aerobic seawater under sunlight, static seawater under ultra-violet light and aerobic seawater under ultra-violet light. Continuous mass loss of PLA/PHB fabrics as the immersion time in the seawater increased was confirmed. The hydrolysis rate of PLA/PHB fabrics accelerated in the presence of UV light and dissolved oxygen in the seawater. Moreover, the tensile strength of the PLA/PHB yarns dropped rapidly by 38.54–68.70% in spite of the mass loss percentage being from 9.57% to 14.48% after 2 weeks' immersion. All the PLA/PHB fabrics after two weeks' immersion exhibited similar ATR-IR spectra. Therefore, the degradability of PLA/PHB fabrics, in the marine surface water under the synergistic destructive effect of seawater, UV and dissolved oxygen, provides a pathway for more sustainable textile fibers and apparel products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of tumor suppression and mechanism for different implantation modes of iodine-125 (I-125) seeds irradiation in a mice xenograft model, and its skeletal complications. A total of 24 mice carrying A549 lung tumor-derived xenografts were randomly assigned to four groups, including non-radioactive (sham) seeds implantation, I-125 seeds fractional implantation, I-125 seeds single implantation and I-125 seeds single implantation combined with anlotinib. Ki67 immunohistochemistry, TUNEL immunofluorescence and CD31 morphometric analysis were used to determine the proliferation index, rate of apoptotic cells and microvessel density, respectively. Additionally, the side effects on the skeletal system in mice treated with I-125 seeds implantation were evaluated by histomorphometric staining with tartrate-resistant acid phosphate (TRAP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression in femur, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) levels in serum were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The I-125 seeds single and fractionated implantation had similar therapeutic effects and complications when the total number of I-125 seeds was the same. A single implantation of I-125 seeds with or without anlotinib could analogously inhibit the tumor growth in xenografts mice, while the single implantation combined with anlotinib had more effective in tumor inhibition. The results of Ki67, TUNEL and CD31 staining confirmed an evident reduction in tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis, as well as an increase in apoptosis. A relatively integrated bone metabolism was indicated after I-125 seeds single implantation with or without anlotinib, and the results were similar in I-125 seeds fractional implantation, including a reduction in the number of TRAP-positive cells and an increase in ALP expression level. Additionally, the serum TRACP-5b activity was decreased and the serum PINP concentration was increased following I-125 seeds implantation. Single and fractionated implantation pattern of I-125 radioactive seeds had similar therapeutic efficacy against tumor growth, while brachytherapy with I-125 seeds implantation may be an effective and safe treatment strategy for its potential protection against cancer treatment-induced bone loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By analyzing the energy–momentum relationship of the absorbed fermions dropping into a Reissner–Nordstöm–anti-de Sitter black hole surrounded by dark matter, the laws of thermodynamic and weak cosmic censorship conjecture in the extended phase space are investigated. We find that the first law of thermodynamics is valid. However, the validity of the second law of thermodynamics depends on the density α of the perfect fluid dark matter. In addition, we also find that when the fermions are absorbed, the structures of black hole surrounded by dark matter would not change. Therefore, weak cosmic censorship conjecture holds for the extreme black holes and the non-extreme black holes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An asymmetric synthesis of (8Z,21R)-21-methylpentatriacont-8-ene, the sex pheromone of the yellow-spotted longicorn beetle Psacothea hilaris, has been achieved using Evan's induction as the key step. Based on the asymmetric methylation product of chiral (R)-4-benzyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one, the carbon chain of the target molecule was assembled through a C5+C12+C11+C8 sequence. (2R)-4-(Benzyloxy)-2-methylbutan-1-ol, which can be obtained from γ-lactone following Evan's protocol, was connected to a C12 alkyl group. The chiral methyl group remained the key moiety (97% ee). After another Wittig reaction and catalytic hydrogenation step, the designed key intermediate (13R)-13-methylheptacosan-1-ol was obtained. Finally, after oxidation and Wittig reaction, the synthesis of the target molecule was completed in 10 linear steps with an ultra-high overall yield of 36.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We systematically studied the thermochemical behaviors of alkali metals under the carbon dioxide (CO2) atmosphere and first investigated the hydromethanation performance of the alkali metal carbonate@carbon product formed in the reaction of CO2 with alkali metals. The on‐set reaction temperature of alkali metals with CO2 is at about 466, 584, and 595°C, respectively, following Li < Na < K. The experimental results indicate that COx‐free methane can be selectively and efficiently generated by hydrogenation of these carbonate@carbon composites at 450°C without a catalyst. Among these carbonate@carbon composites, the Li2CO3@carbon composite shows superior methanation performance. The selectivity of methanation is near 100%. The yield and content of methane are able to reach 30.3% and 26.6 mol%, respectively. This work provides an alternative method to produce methane, utilizing CO2 resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of diterpene-type compounds were synthesized starting from commercially available (−)-carvone. The Michael reaction of (−)-carvone itself delivered four diastereomeric dimers divergently. Following in parallel transformations of reduction, condensation and reductive amination, the corresponding alcohol, oxime and amine were obtained respectively. Particularly, several cage-like structures were obtained via late-stage olefin functionalization. The absolute configurations of the aforementioned compounds were unambiguously determined by NMR spectral, X-ray crystallographic and conformational analysis. Finally, the in-vitro anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities of these dimers were tested preliminarily. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia is a vital intermediate in the hydrogen desorption process of Metal-N-H system. KH has strong reactivity with NH 3 to form KNH 2. We speculate that KNH 2 is also an intermediate formed during hydrogen desorption of the potassium-doped M-N-H systems. In this research, the dehydrogenation performance of the KNH 2 -doped LiNH 2 and LiH composition was first studied. Compared with the broad dehydrogenation curve of the composite material of LiNH 2 and LiH without the catalyst, the dehydrogenation curve of 0.05 mol KNH 2 -doped composite material was significantly narrowed. The initial and peak dehydrogenation temperature of the composite to which 0.05 mol of KNH 2 was added was lowered remarkably. Besides, the cyclic dehydrogenation properties of the LiNH 2 and LiH system was also significantly enhanced by the introduction of KNH 2. The cyclic conversion of KNH 2 to KH is the main reason for the enhancement of the hydrogen evolution performance of the LiNH 2 –LiH system doped with KNH 2. We found the KNH 2 -doped Li–N–H system exhibits similar dehydrogenation property with that of the KH-doped Li–N–H system. This work proves that KNH 2 plays a key role in improving the hydrogen desorption performances of the potassium-doped M-N-H systems. Image 1 • Hydrogen desorption properties of the KNH 2 -doped Li–N–H system was examined. • Hydrogen desorption kinetics are significantly enhanced by introducing KNH 2. • The dehydrogenation temperature is lowered drastically. • The improved properties induce from the cyclic conversion from KNH 2 to KH. • KNH 2 may be formed during dehydrogenation of the potassium-doped M-N-H system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify the predictors for recovery of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) patients treated with percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) and antibiotics, and then develop an effective nomogram to predict the recovery time. Materials and methods: The retrospective study included consecutive PLA patients treated with PCD and antibiotics. We defined the overall recovery time (ORT) as the time from the PCD procedure to the time of clinical success or failure. Based on the ORT, its predictors were identified with univariate and multivariate analyses. Then, a nomogram was developed to predict the ORT, and was internally validated by using Harrell's c statistic. Results: A total of 116 patients and 142 PCD procedures with a median ORT of 15.0±10.6 days were included. Gas-formation (GF; HR: 0.486 [95% CI 0.312–0.757]; P = 0.001), diabetes mellitus (DM; HR: 0.455 [95% CI 0.303–0.682]; P<0.001), and preinterventional septic shock (PSS; HR: 0.276 [95% CI 0.158–0.483]; P < 0.001) were identified as predictors for the ORT of combination therapy after univariate and multivariate analyses, which indicated a significantly longer ORT than those patients without. The prognostic analyses demonstrated that the more predictors (GF, DM, and PSS) a patient exhibited, the longer ORT for the combination therapy. A nomogram was developed to predict the ORT and revealed high accuracy, with Harrell's c statistic of 0.73. Conclusion: GF, DM, and PSS were predictors for the recovery of PLA patients treated with PCD and antibiotics. The nomogram was effective in predicting the ORT of combination therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combinatorial problems are a fundamental research subject of theoretical computer science, and for a general graph many combinatorial problems are NP-hard and even #P-complete. Thus, it is interesting to seek or design special graphs for which these difficult combinatorial problems can be exactly solved. In this paper, we study some combinatorial problems for the Farey graphs, which are translated from Farey sequences and have received considerable attention from the scientific community. We determine exactly the domination number, the independence number, and the matching number. Moreover, we derive exact or recursive solutions to the number of minimum dominating sets, the number of dominating sets, the number of maximum independent sets, the number of independent sets, the number of maximum matchings, as well as the number of matchings. Finally, we obtain explicit expressions for the number of acyclic orientations and the number of root-connected acyclic orientations. Since the considered combinatorial problems have found wide applications in diverse fields, such as network science and graph data miming, this work is helpful for deepening our understanding of the applications for these combinatorial problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Series of NaBa 0.97 Ce 0.03 B 9 O 15 : x Tb3+, y Sm3+, z Dy3+ are synthesized by the traditional high temperature solid-state method. Ce3+ is used as a sensitizer to improve the spectral properties of Tb3+, Sm3+ and Dy3+ by the way of energy transfer which is proved by the fluorescence decay curves. And the mechanisms of energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+, Sm3+ and Dy3+ are all determined as dipole-dipole interaction. The color of NBB:3%Ce3+, x Tb3+, 0.5%Sm3+ can shift from light violet thought white to yellow. And NBB:3%Ce3+, z Dy3+ can give out white light and move to green field. Moreover, the thermal stability makes NBB:3%Ce3+, 0.2%Dy3+ be a potential candidate for the self-referencing luminescent thermometry. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Suidae family, warthogs show significant survival adaptability and trait specificity. This study offers a comparative genomic analysis between the warthog and other Suidae species, including the Luchuan pig, Duroc pig, and Red River hog. By integrating the four genomes with sequences from the other four species, we identified 8868 single-copy orthologous genes. Based on 8868 orthologous protein sequences, phylogenetic assessments highlighted divergence timelines and unique evolutionary branches within suid species. Warthogs exist on different evolutionary branches compared to DRCs and LCs, with a divergence time preceding that of DRC and LC. Contraction and expansion analyses of warthog gene families have been conducted to elucidate the mechanisms of their evolutionary adaptations. Using GO, KEGG, and MGI databases, warthogs showed a preference for expansion in sensory genes and contraction in metabolic genes, underscoring phenotypic diversity and adaptive evolution direction. Associating genes with the QTLdb-pigSS11 database revealed links between gene families and immunity traits. The overlap of olfactory genes in immune-related QTL regions highlighted their importance in evolutionary adaptations. This work highlights the unique evolutionary strategies and adaptive mechanisms of warthogs, guiding future research into the distinct adaptability and disease resistance in pigs, particularly focusing on traits such as resistance to African Swine Fever Virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of color-tunable NaBa1−zSrzB9O15:Ce3+,Mn2+ phosphors were synthesized by a high temperature solid state method. Luminescence property, energy transfer, thermal stability and cation substitution were investigated in detail. Due to energy transfer, NaBaB9O15:Ce3+,Mn2+ presents violet to green luminescence and manifest a broad excitation range from 200 to 350 nm. The energy transfer mechanism of Ce3+–Mn2+ is identified as a dipole–dipole interaction. NaBa1−zSrzB9O15:Ce3+,Mn2+ displays both Ce3+ violet and Mn2+ green and orange emissions under ultraviolet excitation. It is observed that Sr2+ partial substitution for Ba2+ could adjust the ratio of Mn2+ emission intensity in different cation sites, which results from preferred sites’ occupation with modification of the crystal structure. Furthermore, increase in temperature can enhance the energy transfer from Ce3+ to Mn2+, which enhances the Mn2+ emission intensity sharply. The highly thermal-sensitive property of NaBa1−zSrzB9O15:Ce3+,Mn2+ makes it feasible for its potential application in luminescent ratiometric thermometers with wide temperature range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective and design: Sepsis remains a major clinical problem with high morbidity and mortality. Interleukin (IL)-33 is a recently described member of the IL-1 family that is widely expressed and functions as a new inflammatory mediator. IL-33 has been reported to protect sepsis, but the underlying mechanisms are not well-elucidated.Materials and methods: We measured the interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production in septic mice after IL-33 treatment.Results: IL-33 treatment enhanced the IFN-γ level in blood and promoted mice’s survival, so the protective effects of IL-33 depend on IFN-γ. The IL-33 treatment also promoted both γδ T cells and NK cells in septic mice.Conclusion: Our data showed that IL-33 attenuates mortality by promoting IFN-γ production in sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porcine butyrophilin-like 5 (Btnl5) is a novel member of the butyrophilin family, which consists of immune regulators. The expression pattern and the function of this gene remain unclear. In this study, Btnl5 is identified as a negative regulator of the NF-κB pathway. Our study indicates that Btnl5 is mainly expressed in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and expressed in membrane systems. Btnl5 inhibits MyD88-mediated activation of the NF-κB pathway. Btnl5 interacts with TNF receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) and transcription factor p65. Besides, Btnl5 inhibits p65-mediated activation of the NF-κB pathway and inhibits nuclear translocation of p65. These results suggest that Btnl5 may inhibit NF-κB pathway through binding and interfere nuclear translocation of p65. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study involving a 48-year-old man suffering from drug hypersensitivity syndrome. The patient weighed 60 kg and exhibited suboptimal response to oral corticosteroids. A short course of cyclosporine therapy successfully helped cure the patient. The patient was reportedly transferred from a local community hospital with history of intermittent fever and rash on the face.

Huge volume variation plagued silicon for large-scale application in high energy density lithium ion batteries serving as anodic materials, making active layers cracked or delaminated from current collectors after several cycles. To address this issue, a free-standing 3D porous carbon based current collector with recoverable mechanical robustness is dedicatedly designed and fabricated. Atmospheric pressure Ar plasma jet irradiation is applied to transit its surface wettability from hydrophobic to hydrophilic, making it compatible with the aqueous slurry casting process. Embedding Si nanoparticles without any architecture modification into such a state-of-the-art current collector delivers an excellent reversible capacity (1138 mAh g −1 ), prolonged cycling performance (>400 cycles) at the current density of 0.5 A g −1 and low capacity fading rate (<0.09% per cycle). This also provides considerable opportunities as a current collector of choice for the energy storage units in the ever-growing flexible and wearable electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. We assess the clinical effect of compound Danshen dripping pill (CDDP) for treating diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods. Electronic databases were searched from January 2001 to October 2016 to locate randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Efficacy was measured as main outcome and microaneurysms, hemorrhage, exudate, vision, and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were measured as second outcomes. Methodological quality for each study was evaluated, RevMan 5 software was used to assess treatment effects, and GRADE was used to rate quality of evidence. Results. We located 13 RCTs and methodological quality was evaluated as high risk. Statistics indicated CDDP for treating DR was better than controls and DR risk was reduced 64% with CDDP (RR: 0.36, P=0.68); retinal microaneurysms (MD = −4.32NO, P<0.00001); retinal hemorrhages (MD = −0.70PD, P=0.03); exudate improvements (MD = −0.09PD, P=0.79); visual changes (MD = −0.12 letter, P=0.006); FFA (RR: 0.40, P=0.003). About GRADE, quality of evidence was “low.” Conclusion. CDDP may be safe and efficacious for treating or delaying DR and may improve vision or delay vision loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine bivalves could accumulate paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) produced by toxic microalgae. These could impact physiological and cellular responses, being transmitted throughout the food chain and ultimately endangering human health. In the present study, we prepared chitosan derivatives as detoxification materials, performed infection and detoxification experiments of PSTs on scallops, and applied transcriptomics to elucidate the immune defense and detoxification mechanisms of scallops. The results showed that SMC was successfully synthesized, and compared with chitosan, the specific surface area decreased, the surface roughness increased, and the stacked granular structure was obvious. The adsorption rate of PSTs in aqueous solution was 54.42%, and the detoxification effect on the poisoned scallops was 55.29%; the detoxification effect on the kidneys was more significant. Transcriptomic data of scallops' hepatopancreas showed that the defense and detoxification phases induced 1805 and 1692 differential genes, respectively. Among them, cytochrome P450 and C1q complement-related genes were significantly differentially expressed in both defense and detoxification phases. The differential expression of immune-related genes, such as heat shock proteins (HSPs), GTPases of the immune-associated protein family (GIMAPs), and Toll-like receptors (TLRs), suggests that they may play an important role in the early stages of immune defense. Detoxification enzyme genes, such as multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) and glutathione sulfotransferase (GST), play a key role in later stages of detoxification. Here we first identified that detoxifying agents (SMC) in scallops can enter the hepatopancreas and kidneys, and observed a significant reduction in chitin synthase (CHS) expression, which confirmed the good detoxification effect of SMC on scallops. These findings help us to understand the molecular mechanism of scallop exposure response to PSTs. [Display omitted] • Transcriptome analysis of Argopecten irradians hepatopancreas under PSTs stress. • Significantly different genes were present in the defense and detoxification phase. • The down-regulated chitin synthase demonstrates that the antidote can be absorbed. • Chitosan derivatives accelerated the detoxification of PSTs in scallops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The methylation sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP) was used to induce DNA methylation transformation in mushroom mycelia. DNA obtained from the mycelial stages of P. eryngii subsp. tuoliensis was digested with isoschizomers Msp I or Hpa II (mixture of EcoR I), the ability to digest the sequence CpCpGpG as influenced by their methylation state. The data analysis demonstrated that full-methylated and unmethylation modifications were primary and the hemi-methylated ratio was significantly lower. These results indicated that the pattern of CG hypermethylation is abundant in P. eryngii subsp. tuoliensis. All fragments that were differentially amplified upon low temperature induction illustrated the feasibility of MSAP in edible mushrooms. Moreover, this study confirmed that genetic and epigenetic changes in P. eryngii subsp. tuoliensis were induced under low temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils are natural compounds that have been widely studied in the control of various microbial diseases. In this paper, 60 essential oils were selected to evaluate the antifungal activity against six plant pathogenic fungi. The result indicates that oregano essential oil is an effective natural antifungal product and has been found to be effective in inhibiting Rhizoctonia solani (EC 50 =22.89 μg/mL). Morphological studies showed that oregano essential oil seriously damaged the mycelial morphology, and ultrastructural observations showed that it has effect on the cell membrane. The gene expressed level of Rhizoctonia solani was further studied by transcriptomics. It was found that oregano essential oil affected the activity of oxidoreductase, promoted the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and the production of malondialdehyde, which caused lipid peroxidation, led to the destruction of cell membrane permeability and integrity and finally caused the cell death. Besides, oregano essential oil also inhibited the formation of sclerotia of Rhizoctonia solani. The present study suggests that the essential oil can be regarded as a new and potential source of natural and eco-friendly antifungal agents. • Essential oils are green and safety which has great application in antimicrobial field. • The activity of 60 plant essential oils was tested against 6 plant-pathogenic fungi. • Oregano essential oil has excellent antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani. • OEO exerts antifungal effects by causing lipid peroxidation to disrupt cell membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

9 batches of unconfined methane-air deflagration tests were conducted to investigate the influential factors on the deflagration load. The methane-air mixture was filled in the cubic tents with different volumes of 1 m 3 , 8 m 3 and 27 m 3 . Methane concentrations varied from 7.5% to 11.5%, covering both lean and rich combustion regimes. The ground overpressure was recorded by using the piezoresistive sensors. An ideal film was validated before the tests. The effects of the methane concentration and gas volume on the deflagration load were analyzed. Based on the results, a new prediction model for the unconfined methane-air deflagration load was proposed. In addition, the model was compared with some existing models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catalytic ozonation is progressively becoming an attractive technique for quick water purification but efficient and stable catalysts remains elusive. Here we solvothermally synthesized highly-dispersed Co 3 O 4 nanocrystals over microscale nitrogen-doping graphene (NG) nanosheets and tested it as a synthetic catalyst in the ozonation of phenol in aqueous solutions. Transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to determine its morphology, crystallinity, elemental composition and molecular bonds, respectively. The comparative experiments confirmed the highest catalytic activity and oxidation degree (AOSC) of Co 3 O 4 /NG among four nanocomposites (G, NG, Co 3 O 4 /G, and Co 3 O 4 /NG). Co 3 O 4 /NG also has exhibited the highest degradation rate: complete conversion of a near-saturated concentration of phenol (941.1 mg/L) was achieved within 30 min under ambient conditions with only a small dosage of Co 3 O 4 /NG (50 mg/L) and ozone (4 mg/L, flow rate: 0.5 L/min). It also resulted in 34.6% chemical oxygen demand (COD Cr ) and 24.2% total organic carbon (TOC) reduction. In this work, graphene nanosheets not only functioned as a support for Co 3 O 4 nanocrystals but also functioned as a co-catalyst for the enhancement in phenol removal efficiency. The surface nitridation and Co 3 O 4 modification treatment further improved the removal rate of the phenol pollutants and brought in the higher oxidation degree. Our finding may open new perspectives for pursuing exceptional activity for catalytic ozonation reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane technology has been used in the treatment of digestate from food waste (DFW), but membrane fouling has limited its industrial applications. In particular, the complexities of DFW lead to complicated fouling mechanisms. In this study, DFW was separated into three fractions including supernatant substances (SS), bound substances (BS), and the Pellet. The physicochemical characteristics of each fraction were analyzed systematically. Dead-end filtration was conducted and a combined fouling model was employed to quantitatively describe the fouling evolution. The fouling of the membrane surface and the pores was analyzed separately. The results indicated that the SS fraction accounted for more than 60% of the total solids in the DFW. During the dead-end filtration, the SS solution quickly formed a denser cake on the membrane surface, leading to a rapid decay in the flux. The interaction between Ca2+ and polysaccharides in the BS fraction resulted in colloids with a broader particle size distribution between 120 and 6400 nm. These colloids can block the membrane pores and were difficult to remove. Membrane fouling caused by the Pellet solution was not serious because of its high ash content and hydrophobicity. Ca2+ removal via a pretreatment process could prevent pore blocking and thus prevent irreversible membrane fouling. [Display omitted] • Supernatant substances contained more than 60% of the total solids in DFW. • The rate of cake formation is determined by the total solid content of the solution. • Particles with more uniform and smaller sizes are easier to form a denser cake. • Inner pore fouling is mainly caused by the interaction of Ca2+ and polysaccharides. • Membrane fouling caused by ash-enriched Pellet in ash is the easiest to remove. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ashidan yak is a new breed of hornless yak developed by Chinese scientists, which has an important economic value. However, little is known about the growth of Ashidan yaks. This study analyzed the body weight and body size measurements of 260 female Ashdan yaks and compared the performance of five nonlinear models (Logistic model, Gompertz model, Brody model, von Bertalanffy model and Richards model). Our results showed that the early growth and development of Ashidan yak change with the seasons, and the Richards model performs better among the five models. Understanding animal growth plays an important role in improving animal genetics and breeding. In order to explore the early growth and development law of Ashidan yak, the body weight (BW), wither height (WH), body oblique length (BL) and chest girth (CG) of 260 female Ashidan yaks were measured. These individuals grew under grazing conditions, and growth traits were measured at 6, 12, 18 and 30 months of age. Then the absolute growth and relative growth of Ashidan yak were calculated, and five nonlinear models (Logistic model, Gompertz model, Brody model, von Bertalanffy model and Richards model) were used to fit the growth curve of Ashidan yak. The fitting effect of the model was evaluated according to MSE, AIC and BIC. The results showed that the growth rate of Ashidan yak was the fastest from 12 to 18 months old, and the growth was slow or even stagnant from 6 to 12 months old. The AIC and BIC values of the Richards model were the lowest among the five models, with an AIC value of 4543.98 and a BIC value of 4563.19. The Richards model estimated body weight at 155.642 kg. In summary, the growth rate of female Ashidan yak changes with the seasons, growing faster in warm seasons and slower in cold seasons. Richards model is the best model to describe the growth curve of female Ashidan yak in five nonlinear models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /hierarchical porous carbon matrixes composites are successfully prepared by a facile and fast polymers assisted sol–gel method, aiming to promote both electronic and ionic conductivity. As indicated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, three less expensive cost and available water soluble polymers (e.g. PAA, CMC, and SA) can homogeneously react with Li–Ti–O precursor to incorporate into interior of nano-scale lithium titanate and provide a continues conductive network after pyrolysis. In addition, the results of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy also prove that the Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 nanoparticles are firmly embedded in porous carbon matrix with no obvious agglomeration. EIS measurement and cyclic voltammetry further reveal that the facilitated electrode kinetics and better ionic transport of Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 /hierarchical porous carbon matrixes composites than that of Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 . The c-CMC-LTO exhibits a superior capacity of 92 mAh g −1 and retains its initial value with no obviously capacity decay over 200 cycles under an ultra-high C rate (50 C). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

29 batches of vented explosion tests were conducted in a 12 m 3 concrete chamber filled with methane–air mixtures to investigate the effects of methane concentration and venting pressure on the development of overpressure inside the chamber. The deflagrations were vented from a square side window with a venting area of 0.64 m 2 upon rupture of the vent cover. The venting pressures were varied by using six different types of vent covers, and determined by performing a numerical simulation. Methane concentrations in the mixed gas varied between 6.5 and 13.5 vol.%, covering both lean and rich combustion regimes. The generation conditions of the four types of overpressure–time profiles with different overpressure transients were summarized. Among the overpressure transients, the Δ P 1 caused by failure of the vent cover and the Δ P 4 resulted from the coupling between acoustic mode and flame were basically dominant. The rate of Δ P 1 rise as well as peak value of Δ P 1 and Δ P 4 showed a same trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the methane concentration from lean to rich. They reached their maximum value at the methane concentration of about 9.5%, whereas the rate of Δ P 4 rise was found to be insensitive to the methane concentration. The peak value of Δ P 1 increased with the venting pressure, while that of Δ P 4 first increased and then decreased as the venting pressure increased. In addition, the rates of Δ P 1 and Δ P 4 rise were both insensitive to the venting pressure. The occurrence of Δ P 4 was depended on the methane concentration and the venting pressure. The differences in the behavior of these overpressure transients suggest their different generation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon (Si) has been perceived as a promising next-generation anode material for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) due to its superior theoretical capacity. Despite the natural abundance of this element on Earth, large-scale production of high-purity Si nanomaterials in a green and energy-efficient way is yet to become an industrial reality. Spray-drying methods have been exploited to recover Si particles from low-value sludge produced in the photovoltaic industry, providing a massive and cost-effective Si resource for fabricating anode materials. To address such drawbacks like volume expansion, low electrical and Li + conductivity and unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, the recycled silicon particles have been downsized into nanoscale and shielded by a highly conductive and protective graphene multilayer through high energy ball milling. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements have revealed that the graphene wrapping and size reduction approach have significantly improved the electrochemical performance. It delivers an excellent reversible capacity of 1,138 mA h g −1 and a long cycle life with 73% capacity retention over 150 cycles at a high current of 450 mA g −1 . The plentiful waste conversion methodology also provides considerable opportunities for developing additional rechargeable devices, ceramic, powder metallurgy and silane/siloxane products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Membrane fouling, which limits the application of membrane bioreactors, has received considerable research attention in recent years. In this work, filtration modeling was performed in combination with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis to investigate the membrane fouling mechanism. Sodium alginate (SA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used to perform dead-end filtration on hydrophilic and hydrophobic poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes. The initial foulant deposition and layer formation on membranes as well as the interaction between the BSA and SA were comprehensively analyzed. Results indicated that during SA filtration, initial fouling on hydrophilic membranes were primarily attributed to the particle–membrane interactions, while the fouling on the hydrophobic membrane were dominantly caused by the interactions among SA particles. The interaction between BSA and SA led to more severe membrane fouling and hydrophobic membrane was more sensitive to it, especially in the initial filtration process. The SPR results helped clarify the in-situ deposition behavior of BSA and SA particles on the PVDF surface. Compared to SA, BSA adsorbed faster on the PVDF membrane, and specific interactions played an essential role in BSA adsorption, whereas the deposition of SA on PVDF could be easily removed by shear force. Interactions between BSA and SA could alleviate the bonding between BSA and the PVDF membrane. [Display omitted] • Specific interaction plays an important role in BSA adsorption. • BSA generates faster fouling than SA on the hydrophobic membrane. • Interactions between BSA and SA alleviate complete blockage. • Interactions between BSA and SA eliminated the bonding between BSA and membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanomas cause over 76% of skin cancer deaths annually. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-AKT-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is important for melanoma initiation and progression. In the current study, we evaluated the potential anti-melanoma effect of VS-5584, a novel and highly potent PI3K-mTOR dual inhibitor. We demonstrated that VS-5584 potently inhibited survival and proliferation of established (A375, A-2058 and SK-MEL-3 lines) and primary human melanoma cells, but was non-cytotoxic to non-cancerous human skin keratinocytes and B10BR murine melanocytes. At the meantime, VS-5584 induced caspase-dependent apoptotic death in melanoma cells, and its cytotoxicity was alleviated by the caspase inhibitors. At the molecular level, VS-5584 blocked AKT-mTOR activation and downregulated cyclin D1 expression in melanoma cells, while the expressions of Bcl-xL and Bcl-2 were not affected by VS-5584 treatment. On the other hand, a BH-3 mimetic Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 inhibitor ABT-737, as well as siRNA-mediated knockdown of Bcl-xL or Bcl-2, enhanced the activity of VS-5584 in melanoma cells. In vivo, oral administration of VS-5584 suppressed A375 melanoma xenograft growth in nude mice, and its activity was further enhanced by co-administration of ABT-737. These results provide the rationale for the clinical assessment of VS-5584 in melanoma patients and development of ABT-737 and other Bcl-xL/Bcl-2 inhibitors as the possible adjuvants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging represents an important health issue not only for the individual, but also for society in general. Burdens associated with aging are expanding as longevity increases. This has led to an enhanced focus on issues related to aging and age-related diseases. Until recently, anti-aging endocrine-therapy has been largely limited to hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) that is associated with multiple side effects, including an increased risk of cancer. This has greatly limited the application of HRT in anti-aging therapy. Recently, the focus of anti-aging research has expanded from endocrine signaling pathways to effects on regulatory gene networks. In this regard, the GHRH-GH-IGF-1/Insulin, TOR-S6K1,NAD + -Sirtuin, P53 , Klotho and APOE pathways have been linked to processes associated with age-related diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and neurodegenerative diseases, all of which directly influence health in aging, and represent key targets in anti-aging therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] 3D Co(II) ions modified graphene aerogels were prepared by one-step hydrothermal process. [•] The aerogel electrodes showed hybrid supercapacitor behaviors. [•] The aerogel electrodes exhibited high rate capability and long-term cycling stability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• This is the first systematic study of the keratin family in yak. 53 keratins are identified in yak. • The results show that yak keratins have the same conserved domain and sequence as other species keratins. • The study demonstrates the expression pattern of keratins genes throughout the hair cycle and identifies five different expression patterns. • Nine hub keratin genes are identified by WGCNA method in the whole hair cycle. As the largest subgroup of intermediate filament proteins, keratins are divided into two types of subfamily. Currently, the molecular mechanism of keratins in several animals has been reported but is limited in yak. Here, 53 different kinds of keratins were identified in the yak genome, including 23 type I and 30 type II keratins. Bioinformatics analysis in this study revealed that multiple phosphorylation sites were identified among all the family members. And the subcellular localization of these proteins was predicted to be in the nucleus, cytoskeleton, and cytoplasm. All keratin family proteins were unstable and the scores of instability coefficient were higher than 40. Phylogenetic analysis showed that high consistency results of the sequence conservation and grouping were found in the genomes of yak, sheep, cattle, mouse, rat, and human. Based on the expression patterns obtained from the transcriptome data, keratin genes (KRTs) were grouped into five clusters, and results also showed that KRTs were highly activated in skin tissues during the hair cycle in yak. Among the five clusters, Cluster II contained the most KRTs , which was the main expression pattern of the yak hair follicle cycle, followed by Cluster III. These results indicated the transition period from telogen to anagen and catagen to telogen were highly dynamic in yak. Gene expression correlation analysis showed that KRTs exhibited a strong correlation (mainly positive correlation) throughout the hair follicle development cycle. And the identification of hub KRTs in specific modules related to hair follicle development in this study was performed using the Weight Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA). Specific modules that include KRTs were darkgreen (KRT40), darkgrey (KRT5), turquoise (KRT1 , KRT2 , KRT10), bisque4 (KRT4), thistle2 (KRT9 , KRT39), and yellowgreen (KRT24). The interaction network showed that these genes were found to be related to the regulation of cell cycle, melanogenesis, hair follicle development, keratinocyte proliferation. Our study provides theoretical support for the study of the evolutionary relationship and molecular mechanism of keratin family in B. grunnien. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dye-effluxing side population (SP) cells can be resistant to chemotherapy and are thought to resemble cancer stem cells. We characterized the relevance of the SP subpopulation in esophageal cancer cell lines and their relation to chemotherapy resistance and metastasis. The SP subpopulation was detected using Hoechst 33342 staining in five esophageal cancer cell lines OE19, OE21, OE33, PT1590, and LN1590. CTx-resistant cell lines were developed after long-term exposure to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin and validated by analysis of resistance markers, thymidylate synthase and ERCC1. While neither LN1590 nor PT1590 had detectable SP cells, OE19, OE21, and OE33 cells were found to contain varying levels of SP cells. With increasing duration of 5-FU or cisplatin therapy, the SP subpopulation substantially emerged in PT1590 and LN1590. OE19-SP cells displayed significant higher tumorigenicity than OE19- non-SP (NSP) cells after subcutaneous tumor cell injection in vivo. SP cells isolated from OE19 and OE19/5-FUres were subsequently analyzed by an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) polymerase chain reaction array. Interestingly, the SP fraction of OE19/5-FUres showed a dramatic upregulation of EMT-related genes compared to the SP fraction of OE19. Our results provide evidence that (1) the proportion of SP cells is different in esophageal cancer, (2) SP cells exhibit stem cell properties and are associated to chemotherapy resistance, and (3) long-term CTx selects for SP cells with an upregulated EMT gene profile, which might be the source of systemic disease relapse. Further investigations are necessary to ideally target these EMT-associated SP cells in esophageal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To understand the relative histopathological effects of PEEK particulate debris when applied within the epidural versus the intervertebral disc space. We hypothesized that due to the avascular nature of the intervertebral disc acting as a barrier to immune cells, the intradiscal response would be less than the epidural response. Methods: The inflammatory effects of clinically relevant doses (3 mg/5-kg rabbit) and sizes (1.15 µm diameter) of PEEK implant debris were assed when placed dry on epidural and intradiscal tissues in an in vivo rabbit model. The size of the particulate was based on wear particulate analysis of wear debris generated from simulator wear testing of PEEK spinal disc arthroplasty devices. Local and systemic gross histology was evaluated at the 3- and 6-month time points. Quantitative immunohistochemistry of local tissues was used to quantify the common inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Results: Both treatments did not alter the normal appearance of the dura mater and vascular structures; however, limited epidural fibrosis was observed. Epidural challenge of PEEK particles resulted in a significant (30 %) increase ( p < 0.007) in TNF-α and IL-1β at both 3 and 6 months compared to that of controls, and IL-6 at 6 months ( p < 0.0001). Intradiscal challenge of PEEK particles resulted in a significant increase in IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α at 6-months post-challenge ( p ≤ 0.03). However, overall there were only moderate increases in the relative amount of these cytokines when compared with surgical controls (10–20 %). In contrast, epidural challenge resulted in a 50–100 % increase. Conclusions: The results of this study are similar to past investigations of PEEK, whose results have not been shown to elicit an aggressive immune response. The degree to which these results will translate to the clinical environment remains to be established, but the pattern of subtle elevations in inflammatory cytokines indicated both a mild persistence of responses to PEEK debris, and that intradiscal implant debris will likely result in less inflammation than epidural implant debris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, college students generally choose courses according to their own interests or understanding of the course, which has a certain subjectivity and blindness. In many cases, students know little about the courses before class, and only rely on the course name to guess the course content, so as to decide whether to take this course. However, the existing studies are mainly aiming at online learning resources which are heterogeneous, these methods cannot be effectively applied to the recommendation of university courses. This paper explores improve collaborative filtering for university application environments, provides a knowledge recommendation algorithm for university elective courses. First, we created individual models of the course and the students based on background information. Next, we use context-based recommendation and "Parent Class Filling" method to reduce the impact of Cold Start and Sparsity problem on the initial stage of the system. Then, recommendations are generated based on the course evaluation model and similarity matrix. We select several commonly used algorithms to achieve the recommendation, and the experimental results proved that the proposed algorithm is accurate and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new compounds, [Zn(aip)(phen)]n(1) and [Mn(aip)(phen)]n(2) (H2aip = 5-aminoisophthalic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), have been synthesized by solvothermal methods and structurally characterized. X-ray diffraction analyses indicate that1and2have a 2-D layer structure, with aip2−adopting two coordination motifs. The coordination configuration of the metal plays a crucial role in formation of different topological structures. Thermogravimetric analyses of1and2show considerable thermal stability. The fluorescence of1and2in the solid state has also been investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crack paths in friction stir-welded 2198-T8 SE(T) plates with pad-up are investigated. Fatigue tests are performed with and without a friction stir weld in a range of samples, and crack paths and fatigue crack growth rates are compared. The effects of the weld on the damage tolerance of samples are studied. A hole is drilled through the specimen to study its effects on the crack trajectory. It is shown that the crack growth rate is slower with a weld than without a weld. The position of hole can change crack path and crack trajectories. A program is developed to input the residual stress distribution into an ABAQUS finite element model, and the crack paths are predicted to understand the effects of the weld. These predictions are compared with experimental data gathered on crack deviation behavior. The predictions agree well with the experimental findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electrochemical corrosion behaviour of Q235 steels in 3.5wt.% NaCl solutions with sulphide and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), the two main metabolites of sulphate-reducing bacteria, was separately investigated through potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Either sulphide or EPS increased the anodic current density by nearly one order of magnitude and negatively shifted the corrosion potential. The effects of EPS at the initial stage of corrosion may be ascribed to the Fe2+-complexing capability and the quickly adsorbed film. Moreover, the feeble protective effect of EPS after 16d of immersion was observed through scanning electron microscopy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: The hypothesis for this study was that the simulated wear behavior of a hydroxyapatite coated, self-mating PEEK cervical disc arthroplasty device would be dependent on the simulated testing environment. Methods: Five groups of devices were evaluated under suggested ASTM and ISO load and motion profiles. The groups utilized different testing frequencies and protein content of simulator fluid, in addition to assessing the potential for third body wear. The average wear rates were determined using linear regression analysis with a generalized estimating equation. Significant differences between groups were determined using the Wald's test. Results: The simulated wear behavior was shown to be highly dependent on the testing environment, where protein content more than decreasing the cyclic loading frequency resulted in increased wear, but was not dependent on the suggested load and motion profiles. It was demonstrated that a self-mating PEEK cervical disc arthroplasty device has wear rates that are similar to existing material combinations for cervical disc arthroplasty. Conclusions: This study showed that at a time when data from retrieval analyses is deficient, it is important to test the wear resistance of cervical disc arthroplasty devices under various conditions. Long-term clinical results and ongoing implant retrievals are required for validation between clinical performance and simulator inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]