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Optimizing the energy structure to effectively enhance the integration level of renewable energy is an important pathway for achieving dual carbon goals. This study utilizes an improved multi-objective particle swarm optimization algorithm based on load fluctuation rates to optimize the architecture and unit capacity of hydrogen production systems. It investigates the optimal configuration methods for the architectural model of new energy hydrogen production systems in Xining City, Qinghai Province, as well as the internal storage battery, ALK hydrogen production equipment, and PEM hydrogen production equipment, aiming at various scenarios of power sources such as wind, solar, wind–solar complementary, and wind–solar–storage complementary, as well as intermittent hydrogen production scenarios such as hydrogen stations, hydrogen metallurgy, and continuous hydrogen production scenarios such as hydrogen methanol production. The results indicate that the fluctuation of hydrogen load scenarios has a significant impact on the installed capacity and initial investment of the system. Compared with the single-channel photovoltaic hydrogen production scheme, the dual-channel hydrogen production scheme still reduces equipment capacity by 6.04% and initial investment by 6.16% in the chemical hydrogen scenario with the least load fluctuation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses 7075 aluminum alloy as the base material and employs micro arc oxidation technology to prepare ceramic coatings with different concentrations of graphene particles on the surface of the 7075 aluminum alloy. The effects of graphene particle concentration on micro arc oxidation behavior and coating performance were investigated through X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, electrochemical testing, and other performance characterization methods. The research results show that the addition of graphene particles helps to promote the transformation of metastable γ‐Al2O3 to stable α‐Al2O3, thereby enhancing the corrosion properties of the coating. When the concentration of graphene particles is 3 g/L, the prepared micro arc oxidation coating has the maximum thickness and hardness, which are 17.13 µm and 886.76 HV0.3, respectively, while the porosity and roughness are the smallest, which are .39 µm and 4.79%, respectively. Electrochemical test results show that the self‐corrosion current density is the smallest at this concentration, which is 2.323 × 10−9A/cm2. Therefore, the addition of graphene particles can effectively improve the corrosion properties of 7075 aluminum alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of poorly differentiated myeloid cells, with a heterogenous mutational landscape. Mutations in IDH1 and IDH2 are found in 20% of the AML cases. Although much effort has been made to identify genes associated with leukemogenesis, the regulatory mechanism of AML state transition is still not fully understood. To alleviate this issue, here we develop a new computational approach that integrates genomic data from diverse sources, including gene expression and ATAC-seq datasets, curated gene regulatory interaction databases, and mathematical modeling to establish models of context-specific core gene regulatory networks (GRNs) for a mechanistic understanding of tumorigenesis of AML with IDH mutations. The approach adopts a new optimization procedure to identify the top network according to its accuracy in capturing gene expression states and its flexibility to allow sufficient control of state transitions. From GRN modeling, we identify key regulators associated with the function of IDH mutations, such as DNA methyltransferase DNMT1, and network destabilizers, such as E2F1. The constructed core regulatory network and outcomes of in-silico network perturbations are supported by survival data from AML patients. We expect that the combined bioinformatics and systems-biology modeling approach will be generally applicable to elucidate the gene regulation of disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of poorly differentiated myeloid cells, with a heterogenous mutational landscape. Mutations in IDH1 and IDH2 are found in 20% of the AML cases. Although much effort has been made to identify genes associated with leukemogenesis, the regulatory mechanism of AML state transition is still not fully understood. To alleviate this issue, here we develop a new computational approach that integrates genomic data from diverse sources, including gene expression and ATAC-seq datasets, curated gene regulatory interaction databases, and mathematical modeling to establish models of context-specific core gene regulatory networks (GRNs) for a mechanistic understanding of tumorigenesis of AML with IDH mutations. The approach adopts a new optimization procedure to identify the top network according to its accuracy in capturing gene expression states and its flexibility to allow sufficient control of state transitions. From GRN modeling, we identify key regulators associated with the function of IDH mutations, such as DNA methyltransferase DNMT1, and network destabilizers, such as E2F1. The constructed core regulatory network and outcomes of in-silico network perturbations are supported by survival data from AML patients. We expect that the combined bioinformatics and systems-biology modeling approach will be generally applicable to elucidate the gene regulation of disease progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Notwithstanding the overall improvement in the ecological condition of the Qilian Mountains, there are localized occurrences of grassland degradation, desertification, and salinization. Moreover, timely and accurate acquisition of desertification information is a fundamental prerequisite for effective monitoring and prevention of desertification. Leveraging the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform in conjunction with machine learning techniques, this study aims to identify and extract the spatiotemporal dynamics of desertification in the Qilian Mountain National Park (QMNP) and its surroundings (QMNPs) spanning from 1988 to 2023. Results show that based on the random forest algorithm, the multi-index inversion methodology achieves a commendable overall accuracy of 91.9% in desertification extraction. From 1988 to 2023, the gravity center of light desertification shifts southeastward, while centers characterized by moderate, severe, and extremely severe desertification display a westward retreat with fluctuations. The area of sandy land shows an expansion trend in the medium term, but after 2018, desertification in QMNPs reversed. As of 2023, the sandy land area measured 16,897.35 km2, accounting for 18.29% of the total area of QMNPs. The insights garnered from this study provide a valuable reference for regional desertification prevention and control in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of MoS2 on the microstructure and characteristics of micro-arc oxidized (MAO) ceramic coatings created on ZK60 magnesium alloy through the addition of varying concentrations of MoS2 particles to the electrolyte, aiming to enhance the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy. Design/methodology/approach: The surface morphology, roughness and phase composition of the coatings were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, a hand-held roughness tester and an X-ray diffractometer, respectively, and the corrosion resistance of the MAO coatings prepared by the addition of different contents of MoS2 particles was tested and analyzed using an electrochemical workstation. Findings: The results demonstrate that MoS2/MgO composite coatings have been successfully prepared on the surface of magnesium alloys through micro-arc oxidation. Furthermore, the corrosion resistance of the ZK60 magnesium alloy prepared with the addition of 1.0 g/L MoS2 was the best compared to the other samples. Originality/value: MoS2 particles were able to penetrate the coatings successfully during the micro-arc oxidation process, acting as a barrier in the micropores to prevent the corrosion medium from touching the surface, thus improving the corrosion resistance of the sample. The electrochemical workstation was used to study the corrosion resistance of the MoS2/MAO coating on the ZK60 magnesium alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to enhance the corrosion and wear resistance of aluminum alloys in complex and variable environments, an Al2O3 ceramic film was prepared on the surface of 7A04 aluminum alloy in a silicate electrolyte system using a micro‐arc oxidation technique. Subsequently, antimony tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles were used to dope the micro‐arc oxidation film to enhance the protective properties of the 7A04 aluminum alloy. The structural characteristics of the film were investigated by examining the surface and cross‐sectional morphology and the composition of the physical phases. The results show that ATO nanoparticles can promote the micro‐arc oxidation reaction, improve the surface morphology of the film layer, increase the thickness of the film layer and the denseness after sintering, and enter the film layer in the form of melt wrapping, which plays a role in refining the grain. In the study of the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of ATO‐doped ceramic film layers, it was found that the introduction of ATO nanoparticles did not significantly improve the wear resistance of the micro‐arc oxide ceramic film layers but significantly improved the corrosion resistance of the film layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although TiAl3 is widely used in various high-temperature fields, the adjustment of the balance between the strength and ductility of the tetragonal TiAl3 remains a challenge. To solve the key problem, here, we apply the first-principles method to study the influence of four transition metals (TM = V, Cr and Mo) on the mechanical properties of the tetragonal TiAl3. The structural stability of the TM-alloyed TiAl3 is examined by the impurity formation energy and phonon dispersion. The calculated results show that the TM-doped TiAl3 is stable at the ground state. In particular, the Mo-alloyed TiAl3 has better thermodynamic stability than the other TM-alloyed TiAl3. Importantly, the alloyed elements enhance the bulk modulus of TiAl3 because the alloyed elements improve the electronic hybridisation between the Ti atom and the Al atom. Here, the Mo-alloyed TiAl3 has the highest bulk modulus among the four TM-alloyed TiAl3. Furthermore, it is found that the alloyed elements improve the ductility of TiAl3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention is the process of selecting relevant information and suppressing irrelevant information. However, it is still controversial whether attentional capture by salient but task‐irrelevant stimuli operates in a bottom‐up fashion (stimulus‐driven theory) or a top‐down fashion (goal‐driven theory) or if even salient distractors can be suppressed before capturing attention (signal suppression theory). In the present study, we investigated how saliency affects attentional capture (indexed by N2‐posterior‐contralateral [N2pc]) and suppression (indexed by distractor positivity [PD]) of abrupt‐onset and color singleton distractors in a visual search task. Experiment 1 showed that an abrupt‐onset distractor elicited both N2pc and PD, while a color singleton distractor elicited only PD. Moreover, the abrupt‐onset distractor elicited a larger N2pc and a larger PD relative to the color singleton distractor. In addition, both distractors elicited an early positive component, the positivity posterior contralateral (Ppc), which was also larger for abrupt onsets than for color singletons. Experiment 2 further demonstrated that when both the abrupt onset and color singleton were designed as targets, and thus required no attentional suppression, Ppc was elicited, but PD was not. This corroborated the finding in Experiment 1 that the later PD, not the early Ppc, reflected attentional suppression. Therefore, a more salient distractor demonstrates stronger early perceptual processing, can capture attention better and needs more attentional resources to be suppressed later. Based on these results, a three‐stage hypothesis is proposed, in which the saliency of a distractor modulates processing at early perception, attentional capture, and suppression stages. We provide strong evidence that attentional capture, measured by the N2pc component, occurs before suppression, measured by the PD component. We proposed a three‐stage model of attentional processing of a salient distractor, in which saliency of the distractor plays a crucial role. Our findings shed light on our understanding of how the visual attention system reacts to salient changes in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new series of donor‐acceptor (D‐A)‐type semiconductive polymers were generated by the integration of electron‐deficient alkyl chain anchored triazole (TA) moieties and electron‐rich pyrene units into the polymer skeleton. The polymer series demonstrated satisfactory light‐harvesting ability and suitable band gaps. In the series, polymer P‐TAME benefits from a minimized exciton binding energy, strongest D‐A interaction, and favorable hydrophilicity, affording an outstanding photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of ca. 100 μmol h−1 (10 mg polymer, AQY420 nm=8.9 %) and H2O2 production rate of ca. 190 μmol h−1 (20 mg polymer) under visible‐light irradiation, which is superior to most currently reported polymers. All polymers in the series can mediate water oxidation reactions to evolve O2. Thus, these TA‐based polymers open up a new avenue toward tailor‐made efficient photocatalysts with broad photocatalytic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new series of donor‐acceptor (D‐A)‐type semiconductive polymers were generated by the integration of electron‐deficient alkyl chain anchored triazole (TA) moieties and electron‐rich pyrene units into the polymer skeleton. The polymer series demonstrated satisfactory light‐harvesting ability and suitable band gaps. In the series, polymer P‐TAME benefits from a minimized exciton binding energy, strongest D‐A interaction, and favorable hydrophilicity, affording an outstanding photocatalytic H2 evolution rate of ca. 100 μmol h−1 (10 mg polymer, AQY420 nm=8.9 %) and H2O2 production rate of ca. 190 μmol h−1 (20 mg polymer) under visible‐light irradiation, which is superior to most currently reported polymers. All polymers in the series can mediate water oxidation reactions to evolve O2. Thus, these TA‐based polymers open up a new avenue toward tailor‐made efficient photocatalysts with broad photocatalytic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated femto- and picosecond-time magnetization dynamics in a ferromagnetic Ni80Fe20 film with varying thicknesses (wedge-shaped film). We observed that the thickness gradient strongly affects the magnetic moment distribution, causing a magnetization reorientation from in-plane to out-of-plane, and formatting a stripe domain (SD) at the thicker end of the wedge. The magnetization dynamics measurements reveal that the part of the film displaying SDs follows a substantially faster demagnetization and magnetization recovery and smaller magnetization quenching compared to the in-plane domain film. The experiments and micromagnetic simulations support that the decrease in relaxation time is caused by a magnetic anisotropy of the films introduced by SD formation. Our results point out that the micromagnetic structure plays an important role in the magnetization dynamics in ferromagnetic films after optically triggered demagnetization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to build a theory of atmospheric boundary layer turbulence under complex conditions. To achieve this goal, we constructed a multi-site observation and analysis method of atmospheric turbulence based on related principles. This method first requires verification for the ergodicity of the full-scale observation of surface-layer turbulence, which proves that eddies within a scale of 60 min during a four-site observation can easily meet ergodicity. Meanwhile, by applying the second-order structure function for the horizontal wind speed turbulence of a single site and upstream and downstream points, we verified the ergodicity of the turbulence observation. Comparing the turbulence spectrum to the second-order structure function for the horizontal wind speed from the four-site observation, a relatively high accordance was observed, proving the reasonability of the multi-site observation. Moreover, compared to the single-site observation, the four-site observation can improve the estimation accuracy of the surface-layer turbulence spectrum and vertical turbulent flux. As a result, we can describe the three-dimensional structure of turbulence more accurately and comprehensively by combining analytical data from single-site and four-site observations. In summary, the multi-site turbulence observation method shows that the horizontal and vertical wind turbulence of the Baimiao plateau has a typical structure of a turbulence spectrum with clear spectral gaps. The result is in accordance with the scale of the turbulence spectral gaps obtained from the 6 h data. The horizontal wind speed is under the influence of the terrain, so its spectrum of large-scale eddies has higher fluctuations, but its spectral gaps can still be clearly distinguished. Although the spectral gaps of the temperature spectrum are not distinguishable, they still have the same scale as the spectral gap of the vertical and horizontal turbulence spectrum. Moreover, the temperature spectrum possesses typical structure characteristics of the boundary-layer turbulence spectrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expatriate effectiveness has been studied extensively in the expatriate literature. Despite its popularity, the construct has not been well-defined or properly operationalized. Adopting a performance perspective, we conceptualize expatriate effectiveness in terms of task, contextual, and adaptive performance. The relative importance of each type of performance may vary across expatriate jobs and over the course of the expatriate's tenure. We propose six operational and implementation guidelines for expatriate effectiveness measurement in the contexts of the nature of the expatriate job, the prioritized performance at each stage of adjustment, rater sources and capabilities, rater culture, frequency of evaluation, and the fit between measurement methods and criteria. We contribute to cross-cultural management research by providing a thorough description of the criterion issues in this literature, offering a conceptual framework to differentiate and integrate a variety of constructs that reflect different aspects of cross-cultural effectiveness, and calling attention to the influential role of measurement operations and implementation for the validity of research studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The die-stacking structure of 3D network-on-chips (3D NoC) leads to high power density and unequal thermal conductance between different layers, which results in low reliability and performance degradation of 3D NoCs. Congestion-aware adaptive routing, which is capable of balancing the network's traffic load, can alleviate congestion and thermal problems so as to improve the performance of the network. In this study, we propose a traffic- and thermal-aware Q-routing algorithm (TTQR) based on Q-learning, a reinforcement learning method. The proposed algorithm saves the local traffic status and the global temperature information to the Q1-table and Q2-table, respectively. The values of two tables are updated by the packet header and saved in a small size, which saves the hardware overhead. Based on the ratio of the Q1-value to the Q2-value corresponding to each direction, the packet's output port is selected. As a result, packets are transferred to the chosen path to alleviate thermal problems and achieve more balanced inter-layer traffic. Through the Access Noxim simulation platform, we compare the proposed routing algorithm with the TAAR routing algorithm. According to experimental results using synthetic traffic patterns, our proposed methods outperform the TAAR routing algorithm by an average of 63.6% and 41.4% in average latency and throughput, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new strategy for the determination of Cu(II) ions was developed using K10H3[Eu(SiMo6W5O39)2]·28H2O. The polyoxometalate H4SiMo6W6O40 acts as a ligand to sensitize the europium ion to emit red fluorescence, and the fluorescence was quenched by the addition of Cu(II) ions. The luminescence of the central Eu3+ was quenched due to the inner filter effect (IFE) of Cu(II) to K10H3[Eu(SiMo6W5O39)2]·28H2O and the static burst. Therefore, K10H3[Eu(SiMo6W5O39)2]·28H2O can be used as a specific fluorescent probe for Cu2+ and it exhibited a very good linear response range for copper ions from 1 to 20 μM with detection limit of 0.13 µM. The probe was successfully applied to the determination of Cu(II) ions in clam samples with recoveries in the range of 90–98%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestication has strongly influenced the physiological characteristics of fish due to selection pressure from human beings and local environments. Here, we comprehensively analysed the gut microbiome and plasma metabolome through 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomic detection using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. We found significant divergences in the gut microbiota and plasma metabolome between domesticated and wild Perca fluviatilis. The reduced abundance of Proteobacteria in the gut and lowered abundance of L‐lysine, L‐valine, piperidine, beta‐alanine, L‐glutamate and L‐histidine in the plasma metabolome of domesticated P. fluviatilis indicated potential reduced protein digestion and absorption capability in domesticated P. fluviatilis. By constrast, the increased abundance of Bacteroidetes in the gut might imply the improved digestive capability for plant polysaccharides in domesticated P. fluviatilis. Digestive system alterations may be due to changed selection pressures on diet during long‐term domestication. Our study provided preliminary results on the physiological changes in domesticated and wild P. fluviatilis which will affect the digestive system and growth performance of P. fluviatilis. The data obtained in this study will benefit germplasm improvement programmes for P. fluviatilis in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The triangular pyramid nanostructure (TPN) raises a perfect prerequisite for the aggregation of surface plasmon resonances (SPRs). However, the application of TPN in thermoplasmonics has not yet been developed. The aim of this study is to explore the development potential of TPNs for enhanced noble metal photothermal applications. We investigated the optical absorption properties, photothermal conversion efficiency, and photothermal response under continuous wave irradiation of TPNs based on Ag and Au nanomaterials. The results show that TPN helps to enhance the SPR excitation of Ag and Au in the near-infrared. TPN based on noble metal nanomaterials shows good light absorption capacity and photothermal response. The photothermal conversion efficiencies of the TPN nanoparticle suspensions increased by 56.95% (Ag) and 49.57% (Au), respectively, compared to the same volume of noble metal nanospheres. This work is intended to researchers better understand the development potential of TPN in thermoplasmonics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Distribution of indigenous yeasts at kiwifruit and natural fermentation was analyzed. • Yeasts were screened based on β -glucosidase and esterase activity. • Sequential fermentation significantly increases esters and alcohols in kiwi wines. • Involvement of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii significantly enhanced sensory scores. • Floral and tropical fruit aromas were positively correlated with sensory acceptance. To explore the diversity and fermentation potential of non- Saccharomyces cerevisiae associated with kiwifruit, indigenous yeasts isolated from kiwifruit and natural fermentation were comprehensively analyzed. A total of 166 indigenous yeasts were isolated, of which 54 representative strains were used for subsequent enzyme activity characterization. Different colorimetric methods were used to verify the ability of these strains to secrete hydrolytic enzymes, and then six strains were selected for sequential fermentation by specific activity assay. The performance of indigenous yeasts in improving organic acids, polyphenols, volatile compounds and sensory characteristics of wines was evaluated holistically. Results indicated that most sequential fermentations exhibited significant improvements in vitamin C and polyphenols. Remarkably, the involvement of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii , Meyerozyma guilliermondii , and Pichia kudriavzevii increased the concentrations of ethyl esters, acetates and alcohols, enhancing floral and tropical fruit odors and ultimately achieving the highest overall sensory acceptability, thereby highlighting their potential in kiwifruit wine fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimation of multiscale elastic parameters is of significance for precise design of cementitious material performances, which depends on the materials' mineral compositions and microstructures. Nanoindentation technology coupling with statistical analysis is an advanced method to probe the mechanical properties of mineral phases, which bridges the equivalent performance of block cementitious materials by upscaling and the microstructures of minerals by downscaling. In this study, grid nanoindentations and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) were performed on cement paste samples with typical water/cement ratios to obtain the elastic modulus of microscopic phases and porosity. Then, upscaling calculation of equivalent elastic modulus was carried out by homogenization methods including dilute method, Mori-Tanaka (M-T) method, self-consistent method, and interaction direct derivation (IDD) method. Comparing calculations with macrotests of elastic modulus, the results are in good agreement with experiment results after considering the effects of capillary pores, especially by the self-consistent method and IDD method. Furtherly, regression analysis using the self-consistent method was employed to obtain the intrinsic elastic modulus of calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) monomers and packing density of CSH clusters, which is in agreement with reported simulation results by molecular dynamics. This work established the relationships quantitatively among gene minerals with special nanostructures, microstructures of cement pastes and macroelastic performances of block cement materials by a multiscale calculation framework across micro-meso-macroscales, offering a foundation for further multiscale design of high-performance construction materials in civil engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological circuits such as neural or gene regulation networks use internal states to map sensory input to an adaptive repertoire of behavior. Characterizing this mapping is a major challenge for systems biology. Though experiments that probe internal states are developing rapidly, organismal complexity presents a fundamental obstacle given the many possible ways internal states could map to behavior. Using C. elegans as an example, we propose a protocol for systematic perturbation of neural states that limits experimental complexity and could eventually help characterize collective aspects of the neural-behavioral map. We consider experimentally motivated small perturbations—ones that are most likely to preserve natural dynamics and are closer to internal control mechanisms—to neural states and their impact on collective neural activity. Then, we connect such perturbations to the local information geometry of collective statistics, which can be fully characterized using pairwise perturbations. Applying the protocol to a minimal model of C. elegans neural activity, we find that collective neural statistics are most sensitive to a few principal perturbative modes. Dominant eigenvalues decay initially as a power law, unveiling a hierarchy that arises from variation in individual neural activity and pairwise interactions. Highest-ranking modes tend to be dominated by a few, "pivotal" neurons that account for most of the system's sensitivity, suggesting a sparse mechanism of collective control. Author summary: The relationship between underlying biological circuitry and behavior is complex and difficult to probe experimentally. Part of the problem is that, for organisms of even modest size, there are an overwhelming number of possible combinations of interacting circuit components. We develop a theoretical framework to simplify this problem with experiments that change the system minimally with small perturbations. In the realm of small perturbations, not only does system behavior remain close to normal but the range of possible perturbations is greatly reduced to only pairs of experimental targets. We demonstrate such a perturbation using a minimal model of neural activity in the C. elegans worm. We find that a few combinations of "pivotal" neurons strongly affect the statistics of synchronous activity, suggesting they may be important for neural control of behavior. Our work suggests generalizable, feasible, and perturbative experiments to map how the physical components of an organism control emergent collective activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Browning is an important factor affecting the quality of fruits and vegetables, and tyrosinase is recognized as a significant biomarker of browning. In this work, the detection effects of five Keggin-type polyoxometalates on tyrosinase were analyzed, and the detection effect of Na7PMo11NiO40 was the best. The electrochemical sensor based on Na7PMo11NiO40 was applied to the determination of tyrosinase with a rapid response (40 s), low detection limit (0.52 U·mL−1), high sensitivity (297.3 μA·mL·mg−1), wide linear detection range (3.76–27.68 U·mL−1), and high selectivity under the optimized conditions. Importantly, the applicability of the proposed sensor was explored in the detection of tyrosinase in freshly squeezed apple juice. The recoveries obtained were in the range of 98.3–101.1% (RSD < 5%). More interestingly, the molecular simulation showed more positively charged histidine residues, and van-der-Waals interactions may cause higher catalytic activity of the polyoxometalates (POMs) on tyrosinase. The active catalytic sites of POMs are mainly located in the polyacid unit rather than the transition metal ions. This work provides a promising new perspective for using polyoxometalates to detect tyrosinase in the field of clinical diagnosis, cosmetics, and food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grid nanoindentation method is commonly adopted to probe micro-mechanical properties of composite materials, providing the basis of multi-scale design of materials and furtherly supporting the research of Materials Genome Engineering. To overcome the disadvantages of traditional nanoindentation data processing methods, a new analysis framework based on intelligence recognition technology was proposed in present work. Curve clustering analysis was established based on principal component analysis to identify the minerals of cementitious materials represented by the indentation load-depth curves. This method avoids the Gaussian distribution assumption and matches every mineral with the test data at effective indentation depth. Compared with deconvolution analysis, Gaussian Mixture Model and point clustering analysis, curve clustering analysis offers more reasonable results. Furthermore, two supervised classification methods, Support Vector Machine classifier and Back Propagation neural network classifier, are introduced to recognize and group nanoindentation data. The training and testing results indicate that they are feasible and highly accurate. • A new analysis framework based on intelligence recognition method is developed to deal with grid nanoindentation test data. • The curve clustering method can distinguish major mineral phases in higher accuracy compared with deconvolution analysis. • The effective indentation depth range of each phase can be determined by the derivative curve of average E - h curve. • Supervised classification methods perform well in the classification of grid nanoindentation test data with high accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver image segmentation has been increasingly employed for key medical purposes, including liver functional assessment, disease diagnosis, and treatment. In this work, we introduce a liver image segmentation method based on generative adversarial networks (GANs) and mask region-based convolutional neural networks (Mask R-CNN). Firstly, since most resulting images have noisy features, we further explored the combination of Mask R-CNN and GANs in order to enhance the pixel-wise classification. Secondly, k -means clustering was used to lock the image aspect ratio, in order to get more essential anchors which can help boost the segmentation performance. Finally, we proposed a GAN Mask R-CNN algorithm which achieved superior performance in comparison with the conventional Mask R-CNN, Mask-CNN, and k -means algorithms in terms of the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and the MICCAI metrics. The proposed algorithm also achieved superior performance in comparison with ten state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of six Boolean indicators. We hope that our work can be effectively used to optimize the segmentation and classification of liver anomalies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomically dispersed metal catalysts (ADMCs) have attracted increasing interest in the field of heterogeneous catalysis. As sub-nanometric catalysts, ADMCs have exhibited remarkable catalytic performance in many reactions. ADMCs are classified into two categories: single atom catalysts (SACs) and atomically dispersed clusters with a few atoms. To stabilize the highly active ADMCs, nanodiamond (ND) and its derivatives (NDDs) are promising supports. In this Feature Article, we have introduced the advantages of NDDs with a highly curved surface and tunable surface properties. The controllable defective sites and oxygen functional groups are known as the anchoring sites for ADMCs. Tunable surface acid–base properties enable ADMCs supported on NDDs to exhibit unique selectivity towards target products and an extended lifetime in many reactions. In addition, we have firstly overviewed the recent advances in the synthesis strategies for effectively fabricating ADMCs on NDDs, and further discussed how to achieve the atomic dispersion of metal precursors and stabilize the as-formed metal atoms against migration and agglomeration based on NDDs. And then, we have also systematically summarized the advantages of ADMCs supported on NDDs in reactions, including hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, aerobic oxidation and electrochemical reaction. These reactions can also effectively guide the design of ADMCs. The recent progress in understanding the effect of structure of active centers and metal–support interactions (MSIs) on the catalytic performance of ADMCs is particularly highlighted. At last, the possible research directions in ADMCs are forecasted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoindentation technology is an advanced method to explore the microscopic mechanical properties of layer or block materials. Grid nanoindentation coupled with statistical analysis is effective to give an insight into multiphase materials just like cement paste, mortar and concrete. However, traditional statistical methods, such as deconvolution analysis and Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), are limited by the nondeterminacy of normal distribution assumption, computational instability due to random selection of initial values, and some problems induced by large amount of calculation. In this paper, clustering analysis, an advanced analysis method for mixed data and widely used in machine learning field, is developed to deal with grid nanoindentation test data. Calculation results suggested that K-medoid clustering is suitable and highly efficient to explain grid nanoindentation tests. Furtherly, clustering method is more robust than deconvolution analysis and GMM when data size is reduced. In addition, normal distribution assumption is not always available for the mechanical properties of some mineral phases in cement pastes. This work offers a new optional mathematical tool to interpret and understand the multiphase properties of cementitious materials probed by grid nanoindentation technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploiting highly active and low-cost electrocatalysts is imperative and challenging for developing advanced energy storage and conversion devices. Herein, we report a core–shell structured carbon hybrid (PNC@CoNC) as an effective bifunctional oxygen catalyst prepared by a surface polymerization strategy and a subsequent pyrolysis process, consisting of nanoporous N-doped carbon core carbonized from ZIF-8 and N-doped graphitic carbon shell with embedded Co nanoparticles carbonized from the cobalt ion-doped polydopamine coating layer. The desirable nanoarchitecture endows the hybrid with a high specific surface area of 531 m2 g−1, high conductivity, abundant micro-/meso-pores and electrocatalytically active N-dopant species. As a result, the hybrid PNC@CoNC displays a positive half-wave potential of 0.81 V towards oxygen reduction and a low overpotential of 490 mV at 10 mA cm−2 towards oxygen evolution in alkaline electrolytes, as well as excellent electrochemical stability. The bifunctional oxygen activity is comparable with that of the commercial catalysts and the recently reported electrocatalysts. Expectedly, as an air–electrode catalyst in rechargeable Zn–air battery (ZAB), PNC@CoNC shows a high power density of 130 mW cm−2, a low charge/discharge voltage gap, and superior cycling stability. Additionally, the as-prepared hybrid also shows promising application potential in solid-state ZAB. Therefore, this work provides a lesson for the synthesis of non-noble metal electrocatalysts in advanced new energy devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A POM-based detector for EU. • Organic-inorganic material composite increases electrode stability. • Achieved rapid and sensitive determination of EU. • Successfully compared EU content of different parts of the perch. Food safety concerns caused by the application of spice allergens to fish anaesthesia. In this paper, a chitosan-reduced graphene oxide/polyoxometalates/poly- l -lysine (CS-rGO/P 2 Mo 17 Cu/PLL) modified electrode was constructed by electrodeposition and successfully applied to the quantitative analysis of eugenol (EU). The detection limit was 0.4490 μM in the linear range of 2x10-6 M to 1.4x10-5 M. It was applied to the determination of EU residues in kidney, liver and meat tissues of perch with recoveries ranging from 85.43 to 93.60%. Besides, the electrodes demonstrate high stability (2.56% drop in current value after 70 days at room temperature), high reproducibility (RSD of 4.87% for 6 parallel electrodes) and extremely fast response time. This study provided a new material for the electrochemical detection of EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intra-tumoral epigenetic heterogeneity is an indicator of tumor population fitness and is linked to the deregulation of transcription. However, there is no published computational tool to automate the measurement of intra-tumoral epigenetic allelic heterogeneity. We developed an R/Bioconductor package, epihet, to calculate the intra-tumoral epigenetic heterogeneity and to perform differential epigenetic heterogeneity analysis. Furthermore, epihet can implement a biological network analysis workflow for transforming cancer-specific differential epigenetic heterogeneity loci into cancer-related biological function and clinical biomarkers. Finally, we demonstrated epihet utility on acute myeloid leukemia. We found statistically significant differential epigenetic heterogeneity (DEH) loci compared to normal controls and constructed co-epigenetic heterogeneity network and modules. epihet is available at https://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/epihet.html. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To display the distribution characteristics of turbulence eddy under condition of complex terrain in Loess Plateau, and to enhance the precision of turbulence measurements, the research of turbulence ergodicity is considered to be the prior section of the experiment. With the statistics of single-site turbulence measurements obtained in Baimiao Tableland, Ping Liang, Gan Su, analysis result shows that not only the turbulence with scale less than 10 min, which can easily satisfy the ergodicity, the tableland terrain can also be a major cause of the coherent structure of periodic, large-scale turbulence; compared to which for the turbulence above the flat underlying surface, the distribution of 10–40 min, large-scale turbulence in the tableland region tends to be more steady and, thus, can also satisfy the ergodicity easily. Under the condition of extremely unstable stratification, the wind is comparatively low in speed and features distinctly large-scale, periodical fluctuation, and with the trend of smooth increase in temperature, large-scale wind turbulence and temperature turbulence both tend to satisfy ergodicity. In comparison, under the condition of extremely stable stratification, the aperiodicity of large-scale wind turbulence and temperature turbulence caused by intermittency is comparatively strong, and the turbulence cannot satisfy ergodicity easily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Podocyte injury is the primary cause of glomerular injury in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs), the triggers and markers of oxidative stress in DN, have been linked to podocyte damage. However, the underlying mechanism is not yet clear. Here, we investigated the potential role of FOXO3a, a key transcription factor in the response to stress, in mediating AOPPs‐induced podocyte injury. We found that FOXO3a expression was increased in the glomeruli of kidney biopsies from patients with DN and it was positively correlated with proteinuria. The serum from patients with DN significantly increased FOXO3a and its downstream genes FasL and Bim, thereby inducing the high level of cleaved caspase3 and the loss of nephrin and podocin expressions in podocytes. Blockade of AOPPs signaling by a neutralizing antibody against the receptor of advanced glycation end products (αRAGE) abolished the effect of DN serum on podocytes, confirming the pathogenic role of AOPPs in DN serum. Downregulation of FOXO3a decreased AOPPs‐induced podocyte apoptosis and restored the levels of podocyte markers nephrin and podocin, and upregulation of FOXO3a exacerbated these changes in podocytes after AOPPs treatment. Furthermore, FOXO3a specifically activated proapoptotic genes in podocytes only in the presence of AOPPs. Mechanistically, AOPPs increased the FOXO3a protein levels by inhibiting their autophagic degradation in a ROS/mTOR‐dependent manner. Moreover AOPPs activated the accumulated FOXO3a by maintaining FOXO3a in the nucleus, and this process was dependent on ROS‐mediated AKT signaling deactivation. These studies suggest that FOXO3a plays a critical role in mediating AOPPs‐induced podocyte injury and reveal a new mechanistic linkage of oxidative stress, FOXO3a activation and podocyte injury in DN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the paper, to enhance the value and utilization rate of hawthorn wine pomace waste, four kinds of pectin were gained from hawthorn wine pomace by hydrochloric acid method (HA-HP), citric acid method (CA-HP), cellulase method (E-HP) and microwave-assisted chelating agent method (MH-HP). The physical and chemical properties of extracted hawthorn pectin were analyzed, however, different extraction methods lead to different characteristics of extracted pectin samples. We found that the extracted hawthorn pectin was all low-methoxy pectin, and the highest extraction yield of 72.89% with high ash (9.20%) was obtained by the MH-HP method, while the galacturonic acid (Gal A) content was up to 72.24% after dealing with the CA-HP method which was the highest among the four samples, besides, the quality of gel formed by E-HP method was the best. What's more, the four extracted samples all reveled degrees of antioxidant activity with dose-dependent in vitro antioxidant, and it was CA-HP method had the best antioxidant activity, making this the first comprehensive research describing the extracting pectin from hawthorn wine pomace. This research also provides a base for industrial production of high-value products from low-cost raw materials. • Molecular weights of hawthorn pectin were depended on the extracting method. • Antioxidant activity of pectin was related to Gal A content and molecular weight. • Physicochemical properties of pectin were affected by different extraction methods. • Pectin from cellulase method can be used as a gelling agent. • Directional extraction of pectin can be realized by selecting different methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bi-functional cobalt and nitrogen co-doped carbon catalyst was fabricated by calcinating the chelate compound containing citric acid, melamine and CoCl2·6H2O in N2, with the mixed salts of LiCl and KCl as the template. Co and N species are highly dispersed in the target catalyst, which has a high surface area of 1011 m2 g−1. Such structure enables it to efficiently catalyze the direct aerobic oxidative esterification of benzyl alcohol with methanol to the ester of methyl benzoate; meanwhile, it exhibits superior potential ability for the application of oxygen reduction reaction, which is a vital process happening on the cathode of fuel cells and metal-air batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the effects of ultrasonic on the degradation kinetics, structure properties, and antioxidant activity of hawthorn pectin were studied. According to our study, as ultrasonic time extended, the intrinsic viscosity for different hawthorn pectin concentrations decreased. The ultrasonic degradation of hawthorn pectin reaction conformed to the first-order kinetic equation. As the reaction rate constant (k) decreased, hawthorn pectin concentration increased. When ultrasonic time was 10 min, the Gal A increased by 10.62% and the DE decreased by 45.57% compared with control, additionally, the particle size, turbidity and gel properties of hawthorn pectin decreased. Hawthorn pectin molecular weight and its distribution all decreased after ultrasonic treatment. FTIR analysis indicated that ultrasonic treatment did not change pectin's primary structures, and SEM analysis showed that the surface characteristic of ultrasonic treatment pectin was different from native pectin. Moreover, in vitro antioxidant activity assays indicated that ultrasonic treatment significantly improved the antioxidant activity of pectin. It was concluded that ultrasonic treatment not only affected the properties of pectin, but also affected its antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aerial respiration is a restricting factor for aquatic species to survive out of water. The Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis , an economic aquatic crustacean species capable of aerial respiration, can survive for a long time out of water. However, the genetic mechanism underlying the aerial respiration of crustacean is still lacking. In this study, we conducted a comparative transcriptome analysis among gill tissues collected from E. sinensis exposed to an environment without water. Results showed that genes associated with moisture maintenance and water transport were upregulated, while genes associated with metabolism and ammonium transmembrane transport were downregulated in E. sinensis out of water. Our results suggested that E. sinensis improves its water-holding capacity and reduces its metabolism by regulating associated genes to maintain effective aerial respiration, and provided valuable genetic resources and novel insights into the hypoxia tolerance and aerial respiration of crustaceans. This study may also serve as a reference for the commercial transportation of E. sinensis. • Gene expression profiles of gill in E. sinensis exposed to an environment without water were firstly generated in this study. • Our research provides insights into genetic mechanism of the aerial respiration of E. sinensis. • Our study provides guidance for the commercial transportation of E. sinensis which will benefit the aquaculture industry of E. sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sexual precocity is a common biological phenomenon in animal species. A large number of precocity individuals were identified in Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis, which caused huge economic loss annually. However, the underlying genetic basis of precocity in E. sinensis remains unclear to date. Results: In this study, morphological and histological observation and comparative transcriptome analysis were conducted among different stages of precocious one-year-old and normal two-year-old sexually mature E. sinensis. The expression profiles of the ovary, hepatopancreas, and eyestalk tissues were presented and compared. Genes associated with lipid metabolic process, lipid transport, vitelline membrane formation, vitelline synthesis, and neuropeptide hormone-related genes were upregulated in the ovary, hepatopancreas, and eyestalk of precocious E. sinensis. Our results indicated that the eyestalk was involved in the neuroendocrine system providing neuropeptide hormones that may induce vitellogenesis in the hepatopancreas and further stimulate ovary development. The hepatopancreas is a site for energy storage and vitellogenin synthesis, and it may assist oogenesis through lipid transport in precocious E. sinensis. Conclusion: We provided not only an effective and convenient phenotype measurement method for the identification of potential precocious E. sinensis detection but also valuable genetic resources and novel insights into the molecular mechanism of precocity in E. sinensis. The genetic basis of precocity in E. sinensis is an integrated gene regulatory network of eyestalk, hepatopancreas, and ovary tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Developing an efficient non-precious metal catalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in regenerative energy conversion and storage devices is very imperative but still challenging. Herein, a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical porous Co/CoO x nanoparticles embedded N-doped carbon hybrid threaded with carbon nanotubes (Co/CoO x @NC-CNTs) was prepared via in situ threading CNTs through ZIF-67 polyhedron and a succedent carbonation process. Compared to those of commercial electrocatalysts (Pt/C and RuO 2), the as-prepared hybrid showed comparable electrocatalytic activity with positive ORR half-wave potential (E 1/2) of 0.836 V, low OER potential (E j=10 = 1.62 V), good methanol tolerance and excellent electrocatalytic stability. Moreover, the small overpotential difference value (Δ E = E j=10 - E 1/2) of 0.784 V is competitive to those of recent reported outstanding bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts. The high electrocatalytic properties of the Co/CoO x @NC-CNTs hybrid are attributed to the synergistic effect of high surface area, desirable pore structure and reasonable chemical composition. Graphical abstract A 3D hierarchical porous Co/CoO x embedded N-doped carbon hybrid threaded with carbon nanotubes was prepared as high efficient bifunctional catalysts for oxygen electrode reactions. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • The synergetic catalysis of multi-valenced CuO x species gives excellent catalytic activity of CuO x /rGO. • Controllable surface of CuO x /rGO means controllable activity. • Special morphology may be responsible for the controllable surface. • Efficient color removal of organic material is not the result of adsorption, but catalytic conversion. Abstract Surface-controlled CuOx/rGO nanocomposite has been successfully fabricated in this study using a simple hydrothermal method. In addition to the characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and N 2 adsorption/desorption, the catalytic conversions of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), methylene blue (MB) or rhodamine B by the CuO x /rGO nanocomposite in the presence of NaBH 4 were carried out. The results demonstrate that all the selected probe reactants show no adsorption on the as-prepared CuO x /rGO nanocomposite, however, their conversions are close to 100% and can be carried out within several minutes. The excellent catalytic activities may be associated with the multi-valenced copper species and the controlled surface of the CuO x /rGO nanocomposite. In the meantime, the CuO x /rGO nanocomposite has a better stability and can be reused for many times without obvious decrease in activity, suggesting a great potential of the as-prepared CuO x /rGO nanocomposite for catalytic degradation of organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pt–Al compounds are promising high-temperature structural materials. However, the hydrogenated behavior of Pt 3 Al is still unclear. To explore the hydrogenated mechanism, we apply the first-principles method to investigate the role of hydrogen (H) in Pt 3 Al. Here, the cubic and tetragonal Pt 3 Al are considered. Based on the hydrogen occupied position, three H-doped sites are designed in cubic and tetragonal phases. It is found that the hydrogen is a thermodynamic stability in two Pt 3 Al phases. Compared to the cubic Pt 3 Al, the hydrogen prefers to occupy the octahedral interstice (H(2) site) of the tetragonal Pt 3 Al. Importantly, the H-doped Pt 3 Al is a mechanical stability. In particular, it is found that the hydrogen weakens the volume deformation resistance, shear deformation resistance and elastic stiffness of Pt 3 Al. But the hydrogen improves the ductility of Pt 3 Al due to the electronic interaction between hydrogen and Pt 3 Al. Naturally, the low elastic properties are that the introduction of hydrogen weakens the localized hybridization between Pt atom and Al atom, and forms the H–Pt bond. In addition, the hydrogen also weakens the Debye temperature (θ D) of Pt 3 Al. • Hydrogenation mechanism of Pt 3 Al compound is studied. • It is found that hydrogen is a thermodynamic stability in Pt 3 Al compound. • The hydrogen weakens the elastic modulus and Debye temperature of Pt 3 Al compound. • The hydrogen weakens electronic interaction between Pt atom and Al atom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-temperature (150-170 °C) pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass with mineral acids is well established for xylan breakdown. Fe2+ is known to be a cocatalyst of this process although kinetics of its action remains unknown. The present work addresses the effect of ferrous ion concentration on sugar yield and degradation product formation from corn stover for the entire two-step treatment, including the subsequent enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis. The feedstock was impregnated with 0.5% acid and 0.75 mM iron cocatalyst, which was found to be optimal in preliminary experiments. The detailed kinetic data of acid pretreatment, with and without iron, was satisfactorily modelled with a four-step linear sequence of first-order irreversible reactions accounting for the formation of xylooligomers, xylose and furfural as intermediates to provide the values of Arrhenius activation energy. Based on this kinetic modelling, Fe2+ turned out to accelerate all four reactions, with a significant alteration of the last two steps, that is, xylose degradation. Consistent with this model, the greatest xylan conversion occurred at the highest severity tested under 170 °C/30 min with 0.75 mM Fe2+, with a total of 8% xylan remaining in the pretreated solids, whereas the operational conditions leading to the highest xylose monomer yield, 63%, were milder, 150 °C with 0.75 mM Fe2+ for 20 min. Furthermore, the subsequent enzymatic hydrolysis with the prior addition of 0.75 mM of iron(II) increased the glucose production to 56.3% from 46.3% in the control (iron-free acid). The detailed analysis indicated that conducting the process at lower temperatures yet long residence times benefits the yield of sugars. The above kinetic modelling results of Fe2+ accelerating all four reactions are in line with our previous mechanistic research showing that the pretreatment likely targets multiple chemistries in plant cell wall polymer networks, including those represented by the C–O–C and C–H bonds in cellulose, resulting in enhanced sugar solubilization and digestibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White hepatopancreas is a syndrome that has recently emerged in aquaculture of Chinese mitten crab ( Eriocheir sinensis ). High lethality of the disease caused large economic loss, which drew considerable attention of fish farmers and scientific researchers. In this study, hepatopancreas reference transcriptome was de novo assembled and differential expression analysis was conducted between white hepatopancreas and normal (yellow) hepatopancreas of E. sinensis . A total of 90,687 transcripts were assembled, and 27,387 were annotated. Transcriptomic comparison revealed 69 differentially expressed genes between individuals featuring white hepatopancreas and yellow hepatopancreas. Genes associated with immune response and cell death, include thioredoxin-related transmembrane protein 1, hemocytin, methuselah-like 1 , and E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase , and they were up-regulated, whereas titin and 5-formyltetrahydrofolate cyclo-ligase, which are genes related to cell proliferation, were down-regulated in E. sinensis with white hepatopancreas syndrome. Our study provides novel insights into genetic causes of formation and novel gene markers for detection of white hepatopancreas syndrome in aquaculture of E. sinensis . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pore structures are critical for most properties of cementitious materials. To describe the initial pore structure of fresh cement paste, which is the foundation of the evolution of a pore network induced by hydration of cement particles in hardened concrete, statistical modelling of pore structure is carried out based on a concentric-shell sphere model, by taking cement paste as a random two-phase media. Calculations by the dispersion models agree well with the pore size distributions tested by the low-field H1 nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique. For cement paste that disperses completely with the help of a dispersant, a hard sphere model is practical. However, in most real conditions, an agglomeration of cement particles will occur both before and after mixing with water, which can be characterized by the redistribution of pore size determined by the critical grain size and the hardness parameter in the concentric-shell model, respectively. Calculation results suggest that agglomeration of particles leads to coarser pores. This work will promote the understanding of the formation mechanisms of pore networks and further offers a foundation for modelling the evolution of pore structures in cementitious materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topmouth culter ( Culter alburnus) is an important freshwater species in China. In recent years, the population of topmouth culter has declined sharply due to the increasing pollution, overfishing and habitat destruction. It may lead to adverse effects, including weakening health, causing disease, and reducing the quality of topmouth culter. It is urgent to conduct resource management, protection and genetic improvement strategies in topmouth culter, especially develop genetic breeding program with disease resistance. In this study, we applied RNA-seq technology to de novo assemble a comprehensive transcriptome, and to discover immune-related genes and pathways in topmouth culter. A total of 102 017 transcripts were assembled with an average length of 945 bp, of which 45 482 protein coding sequences were predicted. BLAST search resulted in 53 575 and 45 602 transcripts with homologous sequences in NCBI- NR and UniProt respectively. Further functional analysis identified 24 052 transcripts in Gene Ontology ( GO) categories and 19 260 transcripts in KEGG pathways. Significantly, 13 immune-related pathways with 524 immune-related genes were identified. Our data provided an integrated and comprehensive transcriptome resource for topmouth culter, which could be essential for further research in selective breeding of disease resistance, functional genomics, and genome editing of topmouth culter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestication has altered a variety of traits within the Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis), including phenotypic, physiological and behavioral traits of Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis). Little is known, however, about the genetic changes between domesticated and wild Eurasian perch. In this study, we assembled a high-quality de novo reference transcriptome and identified differentially expressed genes between wild and domesticated Eurasian perch. A total of 113,709 transcripts were assembled, and 58,380 transcripts were annotated. Transcriptomic comparison revealed 630 differentially expressed genes between domesticated and wild Eurasian perch. Within domesticated Eurasian perch there were 412 genes that were up-regulated including MHCI, MHCII, chia, ighm within immune system development. There were 218 genes including try1, ctrl, ctrb, cela3b, cpa1 and cpb1, which were down-regulated that were associated with digestive processes. Our results indicated domestication drives the changes of immune and digestive system of Eurasian perch. Our study not only provide valuable genetic resources for further studies in Eurasian perch, but also provide novel insights into the genetic basis of physiological changes in Eurasian perch during domestication process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Placental fetal macrophages (fMacs) are the only immune cells on the fetal side of the placental barrier. Mouse models have not been used to test their function because they have previously been found to have distinct cellular origins and functions in mice and humans. Here, we test the ontogeny of mouse placental fMacs. Using a new Hoxa13Cre allele that labels all placental endothelial cells (ECs), we demonstrate that mouse placenta fMacs do not arise from placental endothelium. Instead, lineage tracing studies using Tie2-Cre and Cx3cr1CreERT2 alleles demonstrate that mouse placental fMacs arise from yolk sac endothelium. Administration of blocking antibodies against CSF1R at E6.5 and E7.5 results in depletion of placental fMacs throughout pregnancy, and this suggests a yolk sac origin, similar to that in human fMacs. This Matters Arising paper is in response to Liang et al., published in Developmental Cell. A response by Liang and Liu is published in this issue. [Display omitted] • New Hoxa13Cre knockin mice specifically target all placenta endothelial cells • Mouse placenta fetal macrophages do not arise from placental endothelium • Mouse placenta fetal macrophages are tissue resident macrophages from the yolk sac • Mouse placental fetal macrophages share a common origin as human Hofbauer cells In this Matters Arising article, Chen et al. use a newly generated Hoxa13Cre allele to show that mouse placenta fetal macrophages (fMacs) originate from placenta endothelium, differing from the origin described in the study conducted by Liang et al. They demonstrate that fMacs are yolk sac with similar origin to that of human Hofbauer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dilute-acid pretreatment has proven to be a robust means of converting herbaceous feedstock to fermentable sugars. However, it also releases acetic acid, a known fermentation inhibitor, from acetyl groups present in the biomass. A mild, dilute alkaline extraction stage was implemented prior to acid pretreatment to separate acetic acid from the hydrolysate sugar stream. This step, termed deacetylation, improved the glucose and xylose yields from enzymatic hydrolysis and ethanol yields from fermentation of the sugars relative to the control experiments using dilute-acid pretreatment of native corn stover without deacetylation. While promising, deacetylation as it was historically practiced is conducted at low solids loadings, and at fixed conditions. Thus, many questions have been left unanswered, including the relationship between sodium hydroxide and solids loading, and acetate and xylan solubilization, as well as the impact of temperature and residence time on the process efficacy. Results: A central composite experiment was designed to evaluate the impact of solids loading, sodium hydroxide loading, reaction time and temperature during deacetylation on the acetate and xylan solubilization of corn stover. Using the ANOVA test, it became apparent that neither of the responses was significantly impacted by the solids loading, while the reaction time was a minor factor-the responses were largely driven by reaction temperature and the sodium hydroxide loading. Based on the results, we successfully demonstrated the ability to transition the low-solids (10 % w/w) deacetylation process to a higher-solids process (30 % w/w) with minimal impact on the ability to extract acetate from biomass. Conditions were selected to minimize xylose loss during deacetylation, while also removing 70 % of acetyl groups. The impact of selected conditions on the enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation was further investigated. Conclusions: Evaluation of the whole-process impact demonstrated that despite the upfront reduction in carbohydrate loss during deacetylation, the overall process sugar yields were depressed by the high-solids, low alkali process relative to the historical control. Consequently, ethanol titers were reduced, though strong fermentation performance was still observed, indicating that 70 % acetate removal is sufficient to depress acetic acid concentrations to a level that does not substantially inhibit ethanol fermentation by rZymomo nas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate efficient high-power CW and passively Q-switched operations of Yb:GdCa 4 O(BO 3 ) 3 lasers. An output power of 18.2 W is generated at 1031.5 nm in CW mode, with optical-to-optical and slope efficiencies being respectively 55% and 70%, with respect to incident pump power. In passively Q-switched operation with a Cr 4+ :YAG crystal as saturable absorber, a maximum average output power of 15.6 W is produced at a pulse repetition rate of 91 kHz, with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 44%. Low-repetition-rate Q-switched action is also realized, generating an average output power of 4.2 W at 5.7 kHz, the resulting pulse energy and duration are 737 μJ and 3.6 ns, leading to a peak power amounting to 205 kW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel avian influenza A (H7N9) virus caused 5-10 % mild and 30.5 % fatal human infections as of December 10, 2015. In order to investigate the reason for the higher rate of fatal outcome of this infection, this study compared the molecular epidemiology and virology of avian influenza A (H7N9) viruses from mild (N = 14), severe (N = 50) and fatal (N = 35) cases, as well as from non-human hosts (N = 73). The epidemiological results showed that the average age of the people in the mild, severe and fatal groups was 27.6, 52 and 62 years old, respectively ( p < 0.001). Males accounted for 42.9 % (6/14), 58.0 % (29/50), and 74.3 % (26/35) of cases in the mild, severe and fatal group respectively ( p = 0.094). Median days from onset to start of antiviral treatment were 2, 5 and 7 days in the mild, severe and fatal group, respectively ( p = 0.002). The median time from onset to discharge/death was 12, 40 and 19 days in the mild, severe and fatal group, respectively ( p < 0.001). Analysis of whole genome sequences showed that PB2 (E627K), NA (R294K) and PA (V100A) mutations were markedly associated with an increased fatality rate, while HA (N276D) and PB2 (N559T) mutations were clearly related to mild cases. There were no differences in the genotypes, adaptation to mammalian hosts, and genetic identity between the three types of infection. In conclusion, advanced age and delayed confirmation of diagnosis and antiviral intervention were risk factors for death. Furthermore, PB2 (E627K), NA (R294K) and PA (V100A) mutations might contribute to a fatal outcome in human H7N9 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]