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One-dimensional (1D)/two-dimensional (2D) heterostructures offer attractive opportunities for developing high-performance gas sensors.

As an analog of clopidogrel and prasugrel, vicagrel is completely hydrolyzed to intermediate thiolactone metabolite 2-oxo-clopidogrel (also the precursor of active thiol metabolite H4) in human intestine, predominantly by AADAC and CES2; however, other unknown vicagrel hydrolases remain to be identified. In this study, recombinant human Raf kinase inhibitor protein (rhRKIP) and pooled human intestinal S9 (HIS9) fractions and microsome (HIM) preparations were used as the different enzyme sources; prasugrel as a probe drug for RKIP (a positive control), vicagrel as a substrate drug of interest, and the rate of the formation of thiolactone metabolites 2-oxo-clopidogrel and R95913 as metrics of hydrolase activity examined, respectively. In addition, an IC

Products are constantly evolving through design adaptations to satisfy market requirements. Efficient design adaptation via maximal reusing of existing design can improve product quality, reduce manufacturing cost, and time to market. Understanding of product evolution mechanism is required for design adaptations through rationalized modularity and interfaces. Emerging big sales data provide rich resources for product evolution analysis. To support efficient design adaptations, a framework and associated methods are developed in this work using big sales data for product evolution analysis. Reproduction, mutation, and crossover of product specifications are introduced as specification adaptation operations. Methods are proposed for identification of specification adaptations and estimation of the adaptation probability. Based on modeling and analyzing relationships among product specifications and components, different types of modules and interfaces are proposed through components clustering and their potential operation (mutation, reproduction, and crossover) probabilities. Design recommendations of adaptable product architecture with modules and interfaces are made for facilitating design adaptations. A case study of consumer Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UVAs) illustrates the proposed method. Limitations and potential extensions of the newly developed method are discussed. Further investigations of the product evolution mechanism using game theory to support competitive product development are included.

The complex environments of plants force them to prioritize their immune responses to stimuli occurring simultaneously, including colonization by microbes or nutrient availability. Little is known about how the interplay between endophytes and nutrient status affects the immune responses of both plants and fungi. We primarily monitored immune responses in rice following inoculation with the endophytic fungus Phomopsis liquidambaris under different nitrogen (N) conditions. Ph. liquidambaris promoted plant growth under low N (LN) conditions, concomitant with higher root colonization. Plant production of oxidative signals, including hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide, was activated by Ph. liquidambaris colonization under LN conditions, while salicylic acid (SA) was maintained at high levels and was involved in controlling rice-fungal interactions. High N (HN) conditions enhanced the ability of Ph. liquidambaris in suppressing plant cell death and the ability of roots to degrade Ph. liquidambaris cell walls. Furthermore, under both LN and HN conditions, the activity of plant defence-associated enzymes and fungal antioxidases was not affected in the interactive association. Our data reveal the alteration of plant immunity, including oxidative signalling and plant cell death, by fungal colonization in response to external N conditions and identify SA signalling as a potential controller for rice-Ph. liquidambaris interaction.

Using endophytic fungal elicitors to increase the accumulation of valuable secondary metabolites in plant tissue culture is an effective biotechnology strategy. In this study, a collection of 56 strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from different organs of cultivated Panax ginseng, of which seven strains can be symbiotically co-cultured with the hairy roots of P. ginseng. Further experiments observed that strain 3R-2, identified as endophytic fungus Schizophyllum commune, can not only infect hairy roots but also promote the accumulation of specific ginsenosides. This was further verified because S. commune colonization significantly affected the overall metabolic profile of ginseng hairy roots. By comparing the effects of S. commune mycelia and its mycelia extract (EM) on ginsenoside production in P. ginseng hairy roots, the EM was confirmed to be a relatively better stimulus elicitor. Additionally, the introduction of EM elicitor can significantly enhance the expressions of key enzyme genes of pgHMGR, pgSS, pgSE, and pgSD involved in the biosynthetic pathway of ginsenosides, which was deemed the most relevant factor for promoting ginsenosides production during the elicitation period. In conclusion, this study is the first to show that the EM of endophytic fungus S. commune can be considered as an effective endophytic fungal elicitor for increasing the biosynthesis of ginsenosides in hairy root cultures of P. ginseng.

Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. is commonly used to treat vascular diseases because of its activity ingredients, phenolic acids, and tanshinones. Polysaccharide fraction (PSF) extracted from Trichoderma atroviride D16 could promote tanshinone accumulation in S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots. Transcriptome sequencing was conducted to describe the global gene expression of PSF-treatment hairy roots, and data analyses showed enzymes of tanshinone biosynthetic pathways were up-regulated, and genes associated to signal molecules and transcription factors were responsive. Endogenous H2O2, abscisic acid, and nitric oxide contents were measured after PSF treatment, while tanshinone accumulations were measured with treatment of exogenous H2O2 or H2O2 inhibitor on PSF-treatment S. miltiorrhiza hairy roots. The results showed H2O2 was important in tanshinone biosynthesis caused by PSF and nitric oxide might be the downstream molecules of H2O2. Taken together, the study indicates that D16 PSF enhances the accumulation of tanshinones through enzymes of tanshinone biosynthetic pathways, signal molecules, and transcription factors.

The utilization of food resources by aquatic consumers reflects the structure and functioning of river food webs. In lotic water systems, where food availability and predator–prey relationships vary with gradient changes in physical conditions, understanding diet assimilation by local communities is important for ecosystem conservation. In the subtropical Liuxi River, southern China, the relative contribution of basal resources to the diet assimilation of functional feeding groups (FFGs) was determined by stable carbon (13C) and nitrogen (15N) isotope analyses. The output of Bayesian mixing models showed that diatom‐dominated periphyton (epilithic biofilm), aquatic C3 plants (submerged hydrophytes), and suspended particulate organic matter (SPOM) associated with terrestrial C3 plants contributed the most to the diet assimilation of FFGs in the upper, middle, and lower reaches, respectively. The relative contribution of consumer diet assimilation was weighted by the biomass (wet weight, g/m2) of each FFG to reflect resource utilization at the assemblage level. From the upper to the lower reaches, the spatial variation in the diet assimilation of fish and invertebrate assemblages could be summarized as a longitudinal decrease in periphyton (from 57%–76% to, The instream consumers in the subtropical Liuxi River rely more on autochthonous production (e.g., periphyton and submerged hydrophytes) than on terrestrially derived allochthonous matter (e.g., terrestrial plants). The pattern of resource utilization by consumers in the mid‐upper Liuxi River is consistent with findings from other open subtropical and neotropical rivers and provides an evidence of the riverine productivity model. Our study indicates that protecting inherent producers in rivers (e.g., periphyton and submerged hydrophytes) and restoring their associated habitats (e.g., riffles with cobble substrate) are conducive to aquatic ecosystem management.

To form the stator slots and isolate the stator and rotor, composite components for the oil-cooling air-core stator of a high temperature superconducting motor (HTSM) were designed based on a process that could be summarized as follows. First, the computational fluid dynamics analysis of the oil-cooling air-core stator was conducted. From the results, the load of temperature and oil pressure that apply on the composite cylinder were chosen to be 50 °C and 0.1 MPa, respectively. Second, the structure of the composite components was designed according to the forming technology, and the performance of that was obtained from the finite element method. The results show that the composite teeth were chosen to be a combination of GFRP block and 1Cr18Ni9Ti sheet. And the stresses of the composite cylinder with the thickness of 11 mm in all directions were lower and without buckling at 0.1 MPa. Third, the full-scale composite cylinder was designed and manufactured, and a full-scale simplified performance test platform was also developed to verify the strength of the cylinder. The test results show that the maximum strain of measuring point on the cylinder under 0.1 MPa is 325.1 $\mu \varepsilon $ , which meets the design requirements of the HTSM.

Background and purpose Overweight or obese patients exhibit poorer platelet responses to clopidogrel; however, the mechanisms behind this phenotype remain to be elucidated. Here, we sought to dissect whether and why obesity could affect the metabolic activation of and/or platelet response to clopidogrel in obese patients and high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Experimental approach A post hoc stratified analysis of an observational clinical study was performed to investigate changes in residual platelet reactivity with increasing body weight in patients taking clopidogrel. Furthermore, high-fat diet-induced obese mice were used to reveal alterations in systemic exposure of clopidogrel thiol active metabolite H4, ADP-induced platelet activation and aggregation, the expression of genes responsible for the metabolic activation of clopidogrel, count of circulating reticulated and mature platelets, and proliferation profiles of megakaryocyte in bone marrow. The relevant genes and potential signaling pathways were predicted and enriched according to the GEO datasets available from obese patients. Key results Obese patients exhibited significantly attenuated antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel. In diet-induced obese mice, systemic exposure of clopidogrel active metabolite H4 was significantly reduced but that of its hydrolytic metabolite was increased due to down-regulation of certain P450s but up-regulation of Ces1 in the liver. Moreover, enhanced proliferation of megakaryocytes and elevated platelet count also contributed. Conclusion and implications Obesity attenuates metabolic activation of clopidogrel and increases counts of circulating reticulated and mature platelets, leading to impaired platelet responsiveness to the drug in mice, suggesting that clopidogrel dosage may need to be adjusted adequately in overweight or obese patients.

The dietary fiber content in fresh-cut bamboo shoots is considered crucial for the quality of processed bamboo shoots products. This study aimed to explore the potential of applying two different hyperspectral techniques, namely visible near infrared (Vis-NIR) spectroscopy and near infrared (NIR) in the quick and non-destructive prediction of the dietary fiber content of fresh-cut bamboo shoots. The Vis-NIR and NIR hyperspectral data were collected to establish partial least square regression (PLSR) and principal component regression (PCR) calibration model for the average spectrum of fresh-cut bamboo shoots and their corresponding dietary fiber content. Subsequently, data fusion analysis, various pre-processing methods, and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to optimize the model. The results indicated that superior models were obtained based on low-level fusion data when compared with the corresponding methods based on single spectral data. The optimal SNV-PCA-PLSR model achieved a good performance with coefficient of determination of prediction (R2p) of 0.902, and root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP) of 0.135. Therefore, hyperspectral technique combined with data fusion analysis can be a promising approach for non-invasive quality supervision of bamboo shoots products in varied processing states.

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Aims This research aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of endophytic fungus Phomopsis liquidambaris promoting nodulation and rhizosphere nitrogen (N) availability of continuous cropping peanuts during the whole growth stage under field conditions. Methods A consecutive 2-year field plot experiment was performed. The abundance and diversity of rhizosphere N transformation-related microorganisms and rhizosphere available N level were detected. The nodulation related physiological activities of peanuts and Bradyrhizobium sp. were analyzed. Low N fertilizer experiment was performed to verify the mechanisms of P. liquidambaris improving overall N utilization throughout growth period of peanuts. Results The colonization of fungal endophyte P. liquidambaris inhibited the growth of peanut rhizosphere ammonia oxidizing archaea and bacteria, resulting in reduction of rhizosphere nitrate (NO3−-N), but increase of ammonium (NH4+-N) at the seedling stage, which stimulated nodulation-related physiological responses of host peanuts. Simultaneously, peanut-specific Bradyrhizobium sp. in rhizosphere was enriched, and their nodulation-related biological activities were enhanced by the specific root exudates derived from P. liquidambaris colonization. Along with host development, P. liquidambaris further reshaped the communities of rhizosphere N transformation related microflora and then increase rhizosphere N availability at the crucial mid-late growth stage. Using low N fertilizer experiment, we confirmed that P. liquidambaris acted as a promising inoculant to maintain yield stabilization by stimulating nodulation in the early-stage and increasing rhizosphere N availability in the mid-late stage of long-term monocropped peanuts. Conclusions The underlying mechanisms of P. liquidambaris promoting nodulation and rhizosphere N availability were elucidated and contributed to reduce N fertilizer inputs.

Waterlogging is a common problem compromising plant growth. The endophytic microbiota can improve the rice response to waterlogging stress. However, the mechanism by endophytic microbiota enhances the rice adaption to waterlogging stress is unknown. In this study, the root system architecture, especially well-developed root aerenchyma, was improved in Phomopsis liquidambaris B3 inoculation treatment under waterlogging stress. It was also found the improvement of chlorophyll and soluble sugar contents, ATP, and activities of critical aerobic and anaerobic respiration enzymes in rice. Compared to non-inoculated treatment, ATP was improved by respiration in rice roots under anoxic conditions in the Phomopsis liquidambaris B3 inoculation treatment, contributing to the synergy absorption of multiple mineral elements. Therefore, our results suggest that Phomopsis liquidambaris B3 promotes rice waterlogging tolerance through increasing root aerenchyma development and thereby improving energy metabolism and the accumulation of mineral elements.

Fusarium wilt is a widespread disease causing serious production losses in watermelon (Citrullus lanatus L.). Accordingly, control agents to manage this disease should be developed to ensure the su...

The root endophyte Phomopsis liquidambaris B3 effectively protected peanut against root rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum. We investigated (i) the effects of preinoculation (before F. oxysporum inoculation) and postinoculation (post F. oxysporum inoculation) with B3 on pathogenic infection and (ii) the potential mechanisms underlying the suppression of root rot by B3 colonization. Peanut seedlings preinoculated, postinoculated or noninoculated with B3 and challenged or not challenged with F. oxysporum were cultivated in pots with sterilized vermiculite. The root rot severity, plant growth, defense-related enzyme activity and signaling compounds in plant tissues were investigated. Chemical manipulation experiments were performed to verify the signals involved in the suppression of root rot by B3. B3 preinoculation efficiently suppressed root rot, as evidenced by decreased cell death, pathogenic colonization and disease severity; however, these effects were absent in the B3 posttreated roots. B3 preinoculation locally and systemically enhanced resistance against pathogenic infection, which coincided with increased activities of pathogenesis-related proteins. These increased activities positively correlated with increased salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels, in which SA played a dominant role. Preinoculation with B3 effectively suppressed F. oxysporum infection in peanut roots by activating the SA-dependent defense pathway.

A series of novel biodegradable copolyesters named poly(butylene 3-methyl adipate co-terephthalate) (PBAmT) were synthesized from the monomers of 3-methyl adipic acid (AAm), 1,4-butanediol (BDO), and terephthalic acid (TPA) through a process of esterification and polycondensation. 1H NMR analysis shows that they are random copolymers whose composition can be well controlled by the feed ratio of monomers. From the results of DSC and XRD, the introduction of methyl group successfully destroys the crystallizability of the PBAm chains, thus making it become a relative soft segment compared to PBA, while these random PBAmT copolymers constructed by soft segment PBAm and rigid segment PBT change from semi-crystalline polymers to nearly amorphous polymers as the feed ratio of Am increases. Especially, mechanical tests reveal that the copolymers show outstanding elasticity and rebound resilience with excellent strength. These thermoplastic copolyester elastomers with good performance by simply introduction of branched methyl group on polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) copolymer chains may well explore the potential application of biodegradable PBAT-based material.

A high-speed (HS) permanent magnet (PM) synchronous motor (HSPMSM) with a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) protective sleeve in the surface-mounted rotor was explored in this study. In view of retaining the PMs at HS operations, the high-strength CFRP sleeve was designed on the basis of a process that could be summarized as follows. First, a multi-physics analysis of the rotor was conducted. The requirements to the CFRP sleeve were obtained from electromagnetic analysis, loss analysis, heat flow coupling computational fluid dynamics analysis, structural analysis, and rotor dynamics analysis. Second, the CFRP sleeve was designed by theoretical analysis. From the results, the thickness values of the carbon fibers in the circumferential and helical directions were chosen to be 4 and 1 mm, respectively, while the helical angle of carbon fibers was chosen to be 70°. Then, a plate-shaped CFRP product and a cylindrical CFRP product were fabricated to verify the strength and stiffness of the CFRP sleeve. The performance test results show that the hoop strength and elastic modulus and the axial strength and elastic modulus of the plate-shaped CFRP products at 20 °C are 1963 MPa @ 156 GPa and 550 MPa @ 36 GPa, respectively. The hoop strain and axial strain of the cylindrical CFRP product under 35 MPa are about 3000 and 1900 μe, which meet the design requirements of the HSPMSM.

Background. Disruption of the vascular immunological inflammatory microenvironment is linked to metabolic memory impairment. Even though it has been proven that the Shen-Qi compound (SQC) can efficiently halt metabolic memory and preserve vascular endothelial cells, extensive studies need to be done to investigate if it can also change the vascular immune-inflammatory microenvironment by regulating the immune system. This will help figure out the role of stopping metabolic memory. Methods. After 4 weeks on a high-fat diet (HFD), GK rats were used to create a model for diabetic thoracic aortic problems. The effect and mechanisms of SQC on diabetic thoracic aortic complications were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), biochemical analysis, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labeling (TUNEL), reverse transcription, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunofluorescence (IF), western blot, and luciferase reporter assays. Results. SQC treatment ameliorates the HFD-induced pathological symptoms as well as the HFD-induced increased concentrations of fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and decreased concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Besides, SQC counteracted the HFD-induced average fluorescence intensity of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), as well as the concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), while rescuing the HFD-induced concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthetase (NOS). Also, SQC decreases apoptosis and oxidative stress in rats with diabetic thoracic aortic complications. In addition, SQC facilitated the polarization of macrophages, stimulated the activation of dendritic cells, and regulated the inflammatory milieu in rats with diabetic thoracic aortic complications. Furthermore, SQC also modulated the miR-223-3p/RBP-J/IRF8 axis in the macrophages of rats with diabetic thoracic aortic complications. Conclusion. SQC ameliorated diabetic thoracic aortic complications through the regulation of apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammatory microenvironment mediating by the miR-223-3p/RBP-J/IRF8 axis.

The evolution of sliver defect in a Ni-based single crystal superalloy was explored by casting samples with a similar geometry of the airfoil section of a turbine blade using optical microscope and electron backscattered diffraction. It was found that the sliver generally initiated from 1 to 2 tertiary dendrites at the diverging boundary between the mold wall and matrix. All slivers were tilt from matrix along the [001] and some of them rotated relative to the matrix on the plane perpendicular to the solidification direction. During solidification sliver in most castings grew with a fixed orientation. All slivers can extend along the solidification direction to the top of the casting. Most of the sliver defects showed constant width and did not extend on the casting surface. However, the sliver with large misorientation to matrix on the cross section perpendicular to the solidification direction extended on the casting surface and into the casting quickly.