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Background: Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and is the ninth leading cause of death worldwide. It is still difficult to distinguish active TB from latent TB,but it is very important for individualized management and treatment to distinguish whether patients are active or latent tuberculosis infection. Methods: A total of 220 subjects, including active TB patients (ATB, n = 97) and latent TB patients (LTB, n = 113), were recruited in this study.46 features about blood routine indicators and the VCS parameters (volume, conductivity, light scatter) of neutrophils(NE), monocytes(MO), and lymphocytes(LY) were collected and was constructed classification model by four machine learning algorithms(logistic regression(LR), random forest(RF), support vector machine(SVM) and k-nearest neighbor(KNN)). And the area under the precision-recall curve (AUPRC) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) to estimate of the model's predictive performance for dentifying active and latent tuberculosis infection. Results: After verification,among the four classifications, LR and RF had the best performance (AUROC = 1, AUPRC = 1), followed by SVM (AUROC = 0.967, AUPRC = 0.971), KNN (AUROC = 0.943, AUPRC = 0.959) in the training set. And LR had the best performance (AUROC = 0.977, AUPRC = 0.957), followed by SVM (AUROC = 0.962, AUPRC = 0.949), RF (AUROC = 0.903, AUPRC = 0.922),KNN(AUROC = 0.883, AUPRC = 0.901) in the testing set. Conclusions: The machine learning algorithm classifier based on leukocyte VCS parameters is of great value in identifying active and latent tuberculosis infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This study aims to analyze the clinical characteristic of metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) in patients with active Cushing's disease (CD) and determine associations of thyroid hormones with MAFLD. Methods. Patients with active CD were included in this cross-sectional study. All subjects were assessed for hepatic steatosis by abdominal ultrasonography and thyroid functions. Demographic and clinical characteristic parameters were collected for correlation analysis and logistic analysis. Results. 290 individuals with active CD were included in Huashan hospital from January 2014 to February 2022. We found that the prevalence of CD with MAFLD was 33.79%. The MAFLD group had a lower level of FT4 and a higher level of FT3/FT4 but no difference in levels of cortisol, 24 h UFC, TSH, TT4, TT3, and FT3. Correlation analysis showed positive associations of TSH, TT4, TT3, FT3, and FT3/FT4 with BMI. In age-, BMI-, sex-, cortisol-, and 24 h UFC-adjusted analysis, FT4 was independently associated with MAFLD in patients with CD. This association remained similar even after adjusting for the presence of metabolic syndrome components. Conclusion. Lower FT4 levels were associated with higher risk of MAFLD in patients with CD. FT4 may be used as a helpful indicator to predict MAFLD and provide novel ideas for the treatment of MAFLD in patients with CD in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CRISPR/Cas9 system can induce off-target effects in programmed gene editing, but there have been few reports on cleavage detection and their affection in embryo development. To study these events, sgRNAs with different off-target rates were designed and compared after micro-injected into mouse zygotes, and γH2AX was used for DNA cleavage sites analysis by immunostaining and CUT&Tag. Although the low off-target sgRNA were usually selected for production gene editing animals, γH2AX immunofluorescence indicated that there was a relative DSB peak at 15 h after Cas9 system injection, and the number of γH2AX foci at the peak was significantly higher in the low off-target sgRNA-injected group than in the control group. Further, the result of CUT&Tag sequencing analysis showed more double-strand breaks (DSBs) related sequences were detected in low off-target sgRNA-injected group than control and the distribution of DSB related sequences had no chromosome specificity. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation analysis of the DSB related sequences showed that these sequences were mainly concentrated at genes associated with some important biological processes, molecular functions, and cell components. In a conclusion, there are many sgRNA-sequence-independent DSBs in early mouse embryos when the Cas9 system is used for gene editing and the DSB related sequence could be detected and characterized in the genome. These results and method should also be considered in using or optimizing the Cas9 system. • There was a relative DSB peak at 15 h after Cas9 system injection. • More DSBs related sequences were detected in low off-target sgRNA-injected embryos than control. • The DSB related sequences were mainly concentrated at genes associated with some important biological events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate the demographic history within and among the genera Pseudopestalotiopsis, Neopestalotiopsis, and Pestalotiopsis and their genetic diversity, we studied internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) with no saturation effects in 172 Pestalotiopsis‐like fungal accessions isolated from Camellia sinensis planted in nine provinces in China (64 from Yunnan, 4 from Guangxi, 2 from Guizhou, 42 from Jiangxi, 3 from Sichuan, 3 from Zhejiang, 1 from Henan, 18 from Fujian, 12 from Chongqing, and 18 from other provinces) and in Japan (1), France (1), Turkey (1), and Thailand (2). Among these, 44 Pestalotiopsis‐like isolates from Yunnan in this study formed a clade in phylogenetic trees with Pestalotiopsis accessions in GenBank, despite their cultural characteristics on potato dextrose agar displaying no genus specificity. Based on estimated sequence polymorphism parameters of average pairwise differences (K), haplotype diversity (Hd), nucleotide diversity (Pi), θ (per site) from η, and recombination event rate (Rm), we identified moderate genetic variation in these three genera. Molecular evolution analysis with neutrality tests and mismatch distribution demonstrated that Pseudopestalotiopsis and Pestalotiopsis ribosomal ITS sequences evolved under a neutral model. However, the recent demographic expansion of the three genera promoted geographical isolation but showed no clear geographical structure. Pairwise genetic divergences between haplotypes and a median‐joining network revealed Yunnan or Jiangxi as a possible centre of origin, and that Pseudopestalotiopsis and Neopestalotiopsis may derive from Pestalotiopsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, artificial intelligence has developed rapidly and has been increasingly used in teaching, which has brought about earth-shaking changes in the education of various subjects. To further promote the intelligent development of college online courses, this paper studies the mathematical models and algorithms in the learning management system based on the knowledge forgetting curve. Through the analysis of the current situation of mathematical modeling and application of "knowledge forgetting curve," the method of fuzzy mathematical knowledge and differential modeling is used, the mathematical model and algorithm design of a new "knowledge forgetting curve" is proposed. And the English word review program test is designed. The results show that the use of the program can overcome the oblivion of the words. It can be seen that the "integrated intelligent teaching network platform" has great application prospects and potential benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The chromatin of endodormant tea buds is more open than that of normal tea buds. • The genes refer to acclimatization and plant growth are more active during dormancy. • MADS-box TFs are key regulatory factors during bud dormancy in tea plants. • Endodormancy of tea bud is mediated by activation of SVP regulated by ABA and IAA. • Possible TF-mediated mechanism for regulating endodormancy release proposed. It is essential for tea plants (Camellia sinensis) to undergo bud endodormancy in order to survive winter and grow again the following spring. Molecular pathways underlying the release and break of endodormancy, however, remain unclear. Accessible chromatin regions play a crucial role in precise gene expression regulation. Here, we profiled the chromatin accessibility and transcriptional features of transcription factors (TFs) using ATAC- and RNA-seq technologies. We revealed dynamic changes during bud dormancy break in tea plants and detected open chromatin regions and TF binding sites. Numerous transcripts associated with open chromatin regions were found to exhibit dormant-preferential expression among TF-target genes. We focused on several crucial TF motifs, including MADS-box, AP2EREBP, bZIP, MYB, bHLH, E2FDP, REMB3, TCP, and G2-like factors, that were enriched in open chromatin regions at different budbreak stages, and predicted networks of TF-target genes. Then, we used qRT-PCR to investigate the expression patterns of budbreak-related genes.We found a set of differentially regulated peaks of MADS-box TFs and related genes enriched in plant hormone signal transduction pathway, photosynthesis, secondary metabolism, plant-pathogen interaction functions. Correlation analysis with the phytohormones abscisic acid and indole-3-acetic acid also provided details of the regulation network. Moreover, we identified the core TFs (SVP, CO, AP1, SOC, ABI, CBF, FRUITFULL, and ULTRAPETALA) of several pathways related to budbreak, providing the guideposts for future study. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Nanofibres heterojunction were synthesized by electrospinning and heat-treat. • The rate of the optimum heterojunction is 1.7 times than mechanical mixing. • The negative shift of band edge is the reason for the enhancement of activity. In this paper, g–C 3 N 4 /K 0.5 Na 0.5 NbO 3 nanofibers heterojunction were synthesized via electrospinning and facile heat-treat method. According to XRD, Raman, SEM, TEM and XPS analysis, a heterojunction structure was formed in g–C 3 N 4 /K 0.5 Na 0.5 NbO 3 nanofibers. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and transient photocurrent analysis indicated that 20 wt % g–C 3 N 4 /K 0.5 Na 0.5 NbO 3 had the best interfacial charge transfer reaction and high separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. The rate of photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is 96.3 μmol·g−1·h−1, which is 1.7 times that of simple mechanical mixed powders. This is attributed to the fact that the valence band maximum and conduction band minimum of g–C 3 N 4 /K 0.5 Na 0.5 NbO 3 nanofibers heterojunction are more negative than the mechanical mixed powders, and the difference value between them reaches the maximum when the content of g–C 3 N 4 is 20 wt%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical strain plays an important role in bone formation and resorption during orthodontic tooth movement. The mechanism has not been fully studied, and the process becomes complex with increased amounts of periodontal patients seeking orthodontic care. Our aims were to elucidate the combined effects of proinflammatory cytokines and intermittent cyclic strain (ICS) on the osteogenic capacity of human periodontal ligament cells. Cultured human periodontal ligament cells were exposed to proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β 5 ng/mL and tumor necrosis factor-α 10 ng/mL) for 1 and 5 days, and ICS (0.5 Hz, 12% elongation) was applied for 4 h per day. The autocrine of inflammatory cytokines was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of osteoblast markers runt-related transcription factor 2 and rabbit collagen type I was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The osteogenic capacity was also detected by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, ALP activity, and alizarin red staining. We demonstrated that ICS impaired the osteogenic capacity of human periodontal ligament cells when incubated with proinflammatory cytokines, as evidenced by the low expression of ALP staining, low ALP activity, reduced alizarin red staining, and reduced osteoblast markers. These data, for the first time, suggest that ICS has a negative effect on the inductive inhibition of osteogenicity in human PDL cells mediated by proinflammatory cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grading tea leaves efficiently in a natural environment is a crucial technological foundation for the automation of tea-picking robots. In this study, to solve the problems of dense distribution, limited feature-extraction ability, and false detection in the field of tea grading recognition, an improved YOLOv8n model for tea grading and counting recognition was proposed. Firstly, the SPD-Conv module was embedded into the backbone of the network model to enhance the deep feature-extraction ability of the target. Secondly, the Super-Token Vision Transformer was integrated to reduce the model's attention to redundant information, thus improving its perception ability for tea. Subsequently, the loss function was improved to MPDIoU, which accelerated the convergence speed and optimized the performance. Finally, a classification-positioning counting function was added to achieve the purpose of classification counting. The experimental results showed that, compared to the original model, the precision, recall and average precision improved by 17.6%, 19.3%, and 18.7%, respectively. The average precision of single bud, one bud with one leaf, and one bud with two leaves were 88.5%, 89.5% and 89.1%. In this study, the improved model demonstrated strong robustness and proved suitable for tea grading and edge-picking equipment, laying a solid foundation for the mechanization of the tea industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 6-DOF Stewart parallel elevation platform serves as the platform for mounting the tea-picking robotic arm, significantly impacting the operational scope, velocity, and harvesting precision of the robotic arm. Utilizing the Stewart setup, a parallel elevation platform with automated lifting and leveling capabilities was devised, ensuring precise halts at designated elevations for seamless harvesting operations. The effectiveness of the platform parameter configuration and the reasonableness of the posture changes were verified. Firstly, the planting mode and growth characteristics of Yunnan large-leaf tea trees were analyzed to determine the preset path, posture changes, and mechanism stroke of the Stewart parallel lifting platform, thereby determining the basic design specifications of the platform. Secondly, a 3D model was established using SolidWorks, a robust adaptive PD control model was built using MATLAB for simulation, and dynamic calculations were carried out through data interaction in Simulink and ADAMS. Finally, the rationality of the lifting platform design requirements was determined based on simulation data, a 6-DOF Stewart parallel lifting platform was manufactured, and a motion control system was built for experimental verification according to the design specifications and simulation data. The results showed that the maximum deviation angle around the X, Y, and Z axes was 10°, the maximum lifting distance was 15 cm, the maximum load capacity was 60 kg, the platform response error was within ±0.1 mm, and the stable motion characteristics reached below the millimeter level, which can meet the requirements of automated operation of the auxiliary picking robotic arm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In oral English, for the pronunciation of continuous reading and easy to confuse, the difficulty to understand the pronunciation and so on, this kind of spoken pronunciation has a direct influence on the accuracy of computer speech recognition technology. Therefore, based on the fuzzy measure and speech recognition technology, in this paper, the English oral evaluation algorithm is studied. Based on fuzzy measure, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation algorithm is discussed. This paper focuses on how to solve the problem that the fuzzy measure cannot be fused, the optimization and updating scheme proposed from the algorithm flow and evaluation model, and an effective oral reading evaluation model is established by effectively evaluating the different oral continuous state, giving the corresponding evaluation results. The simulation results show that the optimization of oral English evaluation algorithm can provide a scientific evaluation method and improvement strategy for oral teaching and improving oral learning ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea polyphenol (TPs) oxidation caused by polyphenol oxidase (PPO) in manufacturing is responsible for the sensory characteristics and health function of fermented tea, therefore, this subject is rich in scientific and commercial interests. In this work, an in vitro catalysis of TPs in liquid nitrogen grinding of sun-dried green tea leaves by PPO was developed, and the changes in metabolites were analyzed by metabolomics. A total of 441 metabolites were identified in the catalyzed tea powder and control check samples, which were classified into 11 classes, including flavonoids (125 metabolites), phenolic acids (67 metabolites), and lipids (55 metabolites). The relative levels of 28 metabolites after catalysis were decreased significantly (variable importance in projection (VIP) > 1.0, p < 0.05, and fold change (FC) < 0.5)), while the relative levels of 45 metabolites, including theaflavin, theaflavin-3′-gallate, theaflavin-3-gallate, and theaflavin 3,3′-digallate were increased significantly (VIP > 1.0, p < 0.05, and FC > 2). The increase in theaflavins was associated with the polymerization of catechins catalyzed by PPO. This work provided an in vitro method for the study of the catalysis of enzymes in tea leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endoplasmic reticulum membrane protein complex subunit 10 (EMC10) is an evolutionarily conserved and multifunctional factor across species. We previously reported that Emc10 knockout (KO) leads to mouse male infertility. Emc10-null spermatozoa exhibit multiple aspects of dysfunction, including reduced sperm motility. Two subunits of a Na/K-ATPase, ATP1A4 and ATP1B3, are nearly absent in Emc10 KO spermatozoa. Here, two isoforms of EMC10 were characterized in the mouse testis and epididymis: the membrane-bound (mEMC10) and secreted (scEMC10) isoforms. We present evidence that mEMC10, rather than scEMC10, is required for cytoplasm sodium homeostasis by positively regulating ATP1B3 expression in germ cells. Intra-testis mEMC10 overexpression rescued the sperm motility defect caused by Emc10 KO, while exogenous recombinant scEMC10 protein could not improve the motility of spermatozoa from either Emc10 KO mouse or asthenospermic subjects. Clinically, there is a positive association between ATP1B3 and EMC10 protein levels in human spermatozoa, whereas no correlation was proven between seminal plasma scEMC10 levels and sperm motility. These results highlight the important role of the membrane-bound EMC10 isoform in maintaining cytoplasm sodium homeostasis and sperm motility. Based on the present results, the mEMC10-Na, K/ATPase α4β3 axis is proposed as a novel mechanism underlying the regulation of cytoplasmic sodium and sperm motility, and its components seem to have therapeutic potential for asthenospermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study aimed to assess the effect of the Maillard reaction (MR) on volatile flavor compounds of blue round scad (Decapterus maruadsi) enzymatic hydrolysate (BRSEH). Enzymatic hydrolysates combined with reducing sugars (xylose and glucose) and cysteine were kept at 100°C for 30 min to produce Maillard reaction products (MRPs). The volatile flavor compounds of enzymatic hydrolysates and MRPs were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results showed that 97 volatile flavor compounds were found in blue round scad meat and BRSEHs. Aldehyde compounds were the most abundant class of compounds produced by the enzymatic hydrolysis, and 2,4-heptadienal should be responsible for the rich fishy odor of BRSEHs. Through MR, the volatile fragrance substance content of MRPs showed an increase when compared with BRSEHs. Fifty-nine volatile compounds were found in MRPs, e.g., furans, pyrazines, and sulphur-containing compounds, all of which contributed to the flavor improvement of BRSEHs. The results indicate that MR could be utilized to broaden the application of blue round scad and to modify the flavor characters of BRSEH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to study phospholipids (PL) classes and molecular species of large yellow croaker ( Pseudosciaena crocea ) roe. Both gas chromatographymass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light-scattering detection (HPLC-ELSD) were utilized to analyze and identify the PLs fatty acids compositions and classes in the P. crocea roe, respectively. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5) account for 35.0% and 6.9% of the PLs. Phosphatidylcholines (PC), lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC), phosphatidylethanolamines (PE) and phosphatidylinositols (PI) account for 76.36 ± 0.62%, 12.30 ± 0.55%, 9.12 ± 0.02% and 1.09 ± 0.01% of the total PLs, respectively. In addition, the PLs molecular species were characterized by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadruple-time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). A total of 92 PLs molecular species was identified, including 49 PCs, 13 PEs, 10 phosphatidic acids (PAs), 13 phosphatidylserines (PSs), 3 phosphatidylglycerols (PGs), 2 sphingomyelins (SMs), and 2 PIs of the P . crocea roe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the composition of the fatty acids and phospholipids derived from large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) roe. The composition of the total lipids and the molecular species of phospholipids were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) and high performance liquid chromatography–evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC–ELSD), respectively. The results showed that large yellow croaker roe had high levels of the total lipid (19.6% ± 1.32%, w/w) and phospholipid (61.2% ± 1.22% of the total lipid). The phospholipid was rich in docosahexaenoic acid (31.0% ± 0.19% of the total phospholipids), and the major phospholipid molecular species was phosphatidylcholine (PC, 61.06% ± 0.02% of the total phospholipids, w/w). It was concluded that large yellow croaker roe is expected to be a good resource of phospholipids with a high content of PC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

[Display omitted] • Aspergillus luchuensis is a non-toxigenic fungus in fermentation of pu-erh tea. • The genome of A. luchuensis was sequenced and annotated. • Enzymes related to hydrolysis and O-methylation of phenolics were identified. • Knowledge of functions and mechanisms of A. luchuensis were advanced. Aspergillus fungi are extensively used in traditional food fermentation, so their functions, mechanisms, and safety risks are worth exploring. In this study, a dominant fungal strain (P1) was isolated from a fermented pu-erh tea and identified as A. luchuensis by phylogenetic analysis of fungal internally-transcribed spacer sequencing, partial β-tubulin and calmodulin genes. A pure-strain fermentation of tea leaves was developed, and tea compounds were analyzed by widely-targeted metabolomics, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The mycotoxins, aflatoxin (B1, B2, M1 and M2), fumonisin B1 and B2, ochratoxin A, citrinin, were not detected in fermented tea leaves using methods in the National Standard of the Peoples' Republic of China. The genome of 36.60 Mb with 11,836 protein-coding genes was sequenced by PacBio sequencing and annotated. Expression of fungal genes during fermentation was analyzed by Illumina HiSeq 2500; genes encoding enzymes including glycoside hydrolases, phenolic acid esterases, laccases, tyrosinases, dehydrogenases, peroxidases, dioxygenases, monooxygenases, decarboxylases and O-methyltransferases were identified. These enzymes catalyze hydrolysis, oxidation, ring cleavage, hydroxylation, decarboxylation and O-methylation of phenolic compounds , significantly (p < 0.05) changing the phenolic compound composition. While, phenolic compounds were degraded through degradation of aromatic compounds pathways and xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism pathways. These findings advance knowledge of the functions and mechanisms of action of Aspergillus in traditional food fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • P. chrysogenum used in pure-culture and enhanced fermentation of Pu-erh tea. • 69 compounds in enhanced fermentation were significantly lower. • 40 compounds in enhanced fermentation were significantly higher. • Inoculation with P. chrysogenum changed the composition of the fungal community. • Inoculation with P. chrysogenum improved the sensory quality of Pu-erh tea. Developing an effective method to improve the quality of Pu-erh tea is of great scientific and commercial interest. In this work, Penicillium chrysogenum P1 isolated from Pu-erh tea was inoculated in sterilized or unsterilized sun-dreid green tea leaves to develop pure-culture fermentation (PF) and enhanced fermentation (EF) of Pu-erh tea. Spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography determined that contents of free amino acids (FAA), total tea polyphenols and eight polyphenolic compounds in PF were significantly lower than these in non-inoculation control test (CK) (P < 0.05), whereas the contents of soluble sugars and theabrownins (TB) in PF were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in CK. A total of 416 volatile compounds were detected by headspace solid-phase micro-extraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Comparison to CK, 124 compounds in PF were degraded or decreased significantly [Variable importance in projection [(VIP) > 1.0, P < 0.05, fold change (FC) < 0.5], whereas 110 compounds in PF were formed or increased significantly (VIP > 1.0, P < 0.05, FC > 2). Compared with normal fermentation (NF), the levels of gallic acid, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin and 64 volatile compounds in EF were significantly lower (VIP > 1.0, P < 0.05, FC < 0.5), whereas the levels of FAA and 39 volatile compounds were significantly higher (VIP > 1.0, P < 0.05, FC > 2). Amplicon sequencing of fungal internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) revealed that P. chrysogenum P1 didn't become the dominant fungus in EF; while the fungal communities in EF were different from those in NF, in that the relative abundances of Blastobotrys bambusae and P. chrysogenum in EF were higher, and the relative abundances of Aspergillus niger and Kluyveromyces marxianus in EF were lower. Overall, inoculation of P. chrysogenum in unsterilized sun-dreid green tea leaves changed the the fungal communities in fermentation of Pu-erh tea, and chemical compounds in fermented tea leaves, i.e., the levels of TB and the compounds responsible for the stale flavor, e.g., 2-amino-4-methoxybenzothiazole were increased, resulting in improvement of the sensory quality, including mellower taste and stronger stale flavor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In order to overcome the environmental objection of chromium(VI) in dacromet, a novel chromium-free dacromet was developed. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and d.c. potential measurements were employed to study the anticorrosion behavior of the sintered ceramic zinc–aluminum coatings in still seawater. Results of X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicate that the main corrosion products are composed of Al2O3, ZnCl2, Zn(OH)2 and Fe2O3. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope (EDX) analysis were carried out to study the morphological appearance and the local chemical composition of run-out coatings. The results show that the evolution of open circuit potential can be divided into four stages during the lifetime of CFD/steel. The EIS behaviors of Zn–Al coatings immersion in seawater at the first day are similar to the ceramic CrN coating prepared by PVD, while the impedance data of the next days are parallel with multilayer protective coatings. The galvanic protection effect of the coating keeps active only in the first 3 days and then the physical shielding function play a dominant role. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]