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Volatile oil serves as a traditional antipyretic component of Bupleuri Radix. Bupleurum marginatum var. stenophyllum (Wolff) Shan et Y. Li belongs to the genus Bupleurum and is distinguished for its high level of saikosaponins and volatile oils; nonetheless, prevailing evidence remains inconclusive regarding its viability as an alternative resource of other official species. This study aims to systematically compare the volatile oil components of both dried and fresh roots of B. marginatum var. stenophyllum and the four legally available Bupleurum species across their chemical, molecular, bionics, and anatomical structures. A total of 962 compounds were determined via GC-MS from the dried roots; B. marginatum var. stenophyllum showed the greatest differences from other species in terms of hydrocarbons, esters, and ketones, which was consistent with the results of fresh roots and the e-nose analysis. A large number of DEGs were identified from the key enzyme family of the monoterpene synthesis pathway in B. marginatum var. stenophyllum via transcriptome analysis. The microscopic observation results, using different staining methods, further showed the distinctive high proportion of phloem in B. marginatum var. stenophyllum, the structure which produces volatile oils. Together, these pieces of evidence hold substantial significance in guiding the judicious development and utilization of Bupleurum genus resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chirality, a fundamental design feature at all levels of life organization, has shown great capability in guiding cell‐fate determination and tissue regeneration. Chirality‐directed differentiation programs involve remarkable changes in transcriptional networks, yet whether epigenetic regulatory events are also required is less well understood. Herein, by combining high‐throughput m6A MeRIP sequencing, RIP‐qPCR, and gene modulation techniques, it is demonstrated that biomimetic chiral nanofibrils can bidirectionally regulate wilms tumor 1 associated protein (WTAP)‐mediated m6A RNA methylation to guide macrophages polarization for tissue regeneration. The biomimic chiral nanofibril hydrogels are fabricated using a self‐assembly approach based on C2‐symmetric phenylalanine derivatives. In vitro and in vivo studies indicated that the L‐nanofibrils exhibit a greater propensity to promote M2‐macrophage polarization than D‐nanofibrils, thereby favoring osteogenesis. Then, m6A‐MeRIP sequencing revealed a unique chirality‐dependent m6A methylation level in macrophages, which was gated by a competitive pair of CCM3‐FAK through enantioselectively integrin recognition. L‐nanofibrils considerably suppressed WTAP‐mediated m6A methylation by promoting Itgα3‐FAK expression and paxillin‐driven mechanotransduction, whereas D‐nanofibrils induced WTAP‐mediated m6A methylation by favoring ItgαV‐CCM3 expression and suppressing mechanotransduction. Furthermore, the gain‐of‐function and loss‐of‐function experiments and RIP‐qPCR demonstrate that the WTAP expression could direct macrophage polarization via manipulating the functional molecule B7‐H3 (CD276). Thus, a mechano‐epigenetic mechanism of chirality‐mediated cell‐fate determination is unveiled, which holds remarkable promise in the realm of assisted regenerative material design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining the advantages of partially encased composite structure (PEC) and corrugated steel web, a new type of composite PEC beam with corrugated web was proposed in this paper, namely corrugated webbed PEC (CWPEC) beam. In order to investigate the structural performance of the proposed CWPEC beams, four specimens were designed and fabricated. Four-point bending tests were carried out to study their flexural performance and failure modes. The failure process, load-displacement curve and strain distribution of the tested specimens were analyzed. Experimental results showed the high load carrying capacity and superior ductility of the proposed concept. Parametric study indicated that the concrete strength was increased from C30 to C50, the ultimate load slightly increased by 3.38%. The flange strength decreased from Q355 B to Q235, the ultimate load reduced by 9.17%. The flange width decreased from 250 mm to 200 mm, the ultimate load decreased by 22.21%. As comparison, the increase of steel flange width is more efficient to improve section moment capacity. Further analysis verified that the flexural strength of CWPEC beam was mostly provided by flanges with little contribution from the corrugated web. Finally, based on the quasi-plane assumption, prediction formulas for cracking moment and ultimate moment of CWPEC beams were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Submarine garbage is constantly destroying the marine ecological environment and polluting the ocean. It is critical to use detection methods to quickly locate and identify submarine garbage. The background of submarine garbage images is much more complex than that of natural scene images, with object deformation and missing contours putting higher demands on the detection network. To solve the problem of low accuracy under complex backgrounds, full stage networks with auxiliary focal loss and multi-attention module are proposed for submarine garbage object detection based on YOLO. To maximize the gradient combination, a hierarchical fusion feature mechanism and a segmentation and merging strategy are used in this paper to optimize the difference in gradient combination to obtain full-stage features. Then the criss-cross attention module is used to precisely extract multi-scale features of small object dense regions while removing noise information from complex backgrounds. Finally, the auxiliary focal loss function addresses the issue of unbalanced positive and negative samples, focusing on the learning of difficult samples while improving overall detection precision. Based on comparative experiments and ablation experiments, the FSA networks achieved state-of-the-art performance, and is applicable to the real-time object detection of submarine garbage in complex backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Dentists must be able to identify subtle color changes as shade-matching is crucial in aesthetic dentistry. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether color discrimination ability is related to shade-matching accuracy among dentists. METHODS: The sensitivity of the normal-color vision population to different colors was investigated using Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue (FM-100) test results. The FM-100 test was administered to 37 dentists at the Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University. Sensitivity of dentists with normal-color vision to different colors was investigated using the FM-100 test. Participants were instructed to arrange color caps of various colors according to the gradual change in colors and the results were scored. Visual shade matching test using Vita 3D-MASTER shade guide was performed to determine shade-matching accuracy. The relationship between color discrimination ability and shade-matching accuracy was analyzed. The number of misplaced color caps in the FM-100 test was also calculated. RESULTS: The FM-100 test revealed that 16 and 21 participants had excellent and average color discrimination ability, respectively, and their shade-matching accuracies were 68.75% and 66.67%, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the shade-matching accuracy between the two groups. No significant correlation was observed between the color discrimination ability and shade-matching accuracy. In addition, the number of wrong color caps on the 43–63 color tray with the transition from blue-green to blue-purple was the highest according to Friedman's test. CONCLUSION: Color discrimination ability of dentists does not affect their visual shade-matching accuracy. Additionally, people with normal color vision are not sensitive to the transition from blue-green to blue-purple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levels of dietary carbohydrates and lipids have important effects on the growth, health, and glycolipid metabolizing capacity of the hybrid grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus ♀ × E. lanceolatus ♂). This experiment evaluated the effect of carbohydrate to lipid ratios (CHO:L ratio) on growth, serum biochemical indices, intestinal morphology and activity of digestive enzymes, and the ability to metabolize carbohydrates and lipids in the hybrid grouper. Six iso-nitrogenous (500 g/kg) and iso-energetic (190 MJ/kg) feeds with CHO:L ratios of 0.82, 1.03, 1.28, 1.58, 1.94, and 2.27 were formulated. The 720 groupers with an initial body weight of 7.76 ± 0.08 g were sorted into 24 fiberglass buckets of 30 fish each. Feed was delivered twice daily at 8:00 and 16:00 to apparent satiety for 56 days. The results showed that the growth performance of the groupers was not significantly affected by the diet. Based on the specific growth rate (SGR), the optimal CHO:L ratio was 1.72 for the groupers by the second-order polynomial regression model. The intestinal trypsin and lipase, and the hepatic trypsin activities of the groupers showed a maximum in the 1.58 group. The intestinal muscle thickness in the 1.94 group and the villus length in the 1.58 group were significantly greater than in the 0.82, 1.03, 1.28, and 2.27 groups. The glycogen synthase, pyruvate kinase, and hexokinase activities of the liver were significantly higher in the 1.58 group than in the 0.82 and 2.27 groups. The hormone-sensitive triglyceride lipase, adipose triglyceride lipase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and carnitine palmitoyl transferase of the liver showed significantly higher activities in the 1.58 group than those in the 0.82 and 1.03 groups. These results showed that based on the SGR of the groupers, the best CHO:L ratio was 1.72. An appropriate dietary CHO:L ratio can reduce the lipid deposition of the fish body, liver, and muscle, as well as improve the intestinal morphology and activities of liver carbohydrate and lipid metabolism enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gaze estimation plays a critical role in human-centered vision applications such as human–computer interaction and virtual reality. Although significant progress has been made in automatic gaze estimation by deep convolutional neural networks, it is still difficult to directly deploy deep learning based gaze estimation models across different edge devices, due to the high computational cost and various resource constraints. This work proposes LiteGaze, a deep learning framework to learn architectures for efficient gaze estimation via neural architecture search (NAS). Inspired by the once-for-all model (Cai et al., 2020), this work decouples the model training and architecture search into two different stages. In particular, a supernet is trained to support diverse architectural settings. Then specialized sub-networks are selected from the obtained supernet, given different efficiency constraints. Extensive experiments are performed on two gaze estimation datasets and demonstrate the superiority of the proposed method over previous works, advancing the real-time gaze estimation on edge devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The similar elastic modulus of resin-matrix ceramics to dentin has resulted in their recent widespread application clinically. Nevertheless, the bacterial environment of oral cavity can degrade the resin composite. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyse the effect of S. mutans and its fluoride-resistant strains on the adhesion of three CAD/CAM ceramics. METHODS: S. mutans UA159 (UA) was identified, and its fluoride-resistant strain (FR) was induced. For crack observation, three kinds of CAD/CAM ceramics (IPS Empress, Lava Ultimate and Vita Enamic) were bonded with tooth complex (enamel, dentin and flowable resin) through adhesive. For micro-tensile test, ceramics were bonded with flowable resin, and cut into strip test pieces. Then specimens were immersed into the UA, FR and the control solution (BHI) separately for 14 d. Ceramic-adhesive interface and adhesive-tooth complex interface were observed and analyzed through electron microscope and stereomicroscope. Micro-tensile test was conducted. RESULTS: Specimens in bacterial solutions had more cracks and comparatively weaker micro-tensile strength than those in BHI. In ceramic-adhesive interface, Lava Ultimate produced the most cracks. In adhesive-tooth complex interface, adhesive-dentin produced the most cracks. Meanwhile, IPS Empress had the strongest micro-tensile strength when bonded with resin. CONCLUSIONS: S. mutans and its fluoride resistant strain can cause cracks in the bonding of ceramics and dental tissue, especially resin-matrix ceramic and dentin, and weaken the bonding strength between ceramics and resin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problems of water scarcity and ecological fragility are common in the loess gully area. To research the distribution and evolution of the overburden fissures and quantitatively analyze them have certain theoretical and engineering significance for realizing the evaluation of overburden damage degree and safe and green mining. This paper takes the 6102 working face of Chuancao Gedan Coal Mine as the engineering background. The development law and distribution characteristics of overburden fissures caused by the mining of shallow coal seams in the loess gully area were studied by the combination of physical similarity simulation, numerical similarity simulation and fractal theory. The results show that the fractal dimension change of the overburden fissures caused by the shallow mining of coal seam groups in the loess gully area can be divided into three stages during the mining process of the working face. Repeated mining causes the activation and development of overburden fissures, the fractal dimension increases significantly, and the regularity of changes weakens. The magnitude of the stress near the working face and the fluctuation times of the stress in the goaf have an influence on the change of the fractal dimension of the overburden fissures. According to the development angle and the fractal dimension of the overburden fissures, the overburden rock above the goaf is divided into the collapse fissure area, the compaction fissure area, and the vertical fissure area. Overburden fissures develop violently in the vertical fissure area, the overburden fissures in the compaction fissure area are mostly transverse fissures, and the overburden fissures in the caving fissure area are irregular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to examine how rural everyday life has changed in the Chinese context in response to the process of urbanisation. Drawing on a mobilities perspective, changes in everyday life are represented by spatial mobilities and the impacts of social mobilities on them are assessed at a household level. Employing rural survey data for 2007 and 2017 conducted in Jianghan Plain, China, results reveal that everyday life in central rural China has undergone an uneven development and is significantly impacted by social mobilities. As one of the main agricultural production regions in China, the livelihood strategies in the study area have been shifting from full-time farming to part-time farming and non-farm. The effects of the process of social mobilities on working, consuming and leisure mobilities are also unevenly distributed. Our findings suggest that the perspective of everyday life deserves further investigation for its important role in exploring the human–land relationship in a rural context. And the mobilities paradigm can provide an alternative insight into rural restructuring and its social effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Flowering is a critical physiological change that interferes with not only biomass yield but also secondary metabolism, such as the biosynthesis of flavonoids, in rhizome/root plants. The continuous inflorescence removal (CIR) treatment is frequently conducted to weaken this effect. Fagopyrum dibotrys (D.Don) H.Hara (Golden buckwheat) is a kind of rhizome medicinal plant rich in flavonoids and is widely used for the treatment of lung diseases. The CIR treatment is usually conducted in F. dibotrys because of its excessive reproductive growth. To uncover the molecular mechanisms, comprehensive analysis was performed using metabolome and transcriptome data obtained from normally bloomed and the CIR treated plants. Results: Metabolome results demonstrated that in the rhizomes of F. dibotrys, its bioactive compound called epicatechin has higher amount than most of the detected precursors. Compared with the normally bloomed plants, the level of epicatechin in the rhizomes of the CIR group increased by 25% at the withering stage. Based on 96 samples of the control and the CIR groups at 4 flowering stages for 4 tissues, RNA-Seq results revealed a 3 ~ 5 times upregulations of all the key enzyme genes involved in the biosynthesis of epicatechin in both time (from the bud stage to the withering stage) and spatial dimensions (from the top of branch to rhizome) under the CIR treatment compared to normal flowering. Integrated analysis of LC–MS/MS and transcriptome revealed the key roles of several key enzyme genes besides anthocyanidin reductase (ANR). A total of 93 transcription factors were identified to co-expressed with the genes in epicatechin biosynthetic pathway. The flowering activator SQUAMOSA promoter-binding protein like (SPLs) exhibited opposite spatiotemporal expression patterns to that of the epicatechin pathway genes; SPL3 could significantly co-express with all the key enzyme genes rather than the flowering repressor DELLA. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) further confirmed the correlations among chalcone synthases (CHSs), chalcone isomerases (CHIs), ANRs, SPLs and other transcription factors. Conclusions: SPL3 might dominantly mediate the effect of normal flowering and the CIR treatment on the biosynthesis of epicatechin in rhizomes mainly through the negative regulations of its key enzyme genes including CHS, CHI and ANR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isokinetic exercise is considered as one of the most effective ways for rehabilitation and muscle strength enhancement. As rehabilitation equipment, the isokinetic exercise device assists isokinetic movement using a single fixed axis and relevant joint adapters, and it requires high stability and safety performances to cooperate with human. In this paper, a brushless DC motor (BLDCM) was adopted to make a study of isokinetic control. Fractional-order fuzzy PID (FOFPID) controller is an effective controller for the nonlinear system to realize isokinetic control according to reference speed and irregular disturbance (load torque). The model of the BLDCM and FOFPID controller system is built in MATLAB/Simulink to simulate the velocity response of the controller, and a comparison between the FOFPID controller and PID controller is made to verify the system stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ammonia solution injection into fuel-rich zone was applied to a coal-fired industrial boiler. • Air distribution modes and injector configurations were studied for retrofit optimization. • The retrofit yielded ultra-NO x emissions with a slight decrease in boiler thermal efficiency. • The keys for the retrofit were to reduce local oxygen levels and enhance the mixing effects. Industrial-scale trials of NO x reduction by ammonia solution injection into the fuel-rich zone were conducted in a 75 t/h corner-tangentially coal-fired boiler, and impacts of SOFA ratio, secondary air distribution modes, and ammonia solution injector configurations on the NO x reduction performance were discussed in detail. Results indicated that the waist air distribution mode and the increase in SOFA ratio could reduce the oxygen concentration in the reduction zone, which was conducive to the NO x reduction performance of injected ammonia solution. Ammonia solution injector configurations also had a remarkable influence on NO x reduction performance. Ammonia solution injected from injectors in the top layer and at four corners yielded lower NO x emissions than that in the bottom layer and on four walls, respectively. Meanwhile, more ammonia solution injectors in service were favorable for the reducing agent mixing with flue gas, thereby enhancing the NO x reduction performance. The lowest NO x emissions of 48 mg/m3 and a corresponding maximum NO x reduction efficiency of 86.09 % were achieved under the optimized conditions, i.e., 30 % SOFA ratio, the waist air distribution mode, and all 16 ammonia solution injectors in service. However, the boiler efficiency test indicated that the retrofit led to a reduction of 0.28 % in the boiler thermal efficiency simultaneously, necessitating further studies to mitigate the adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Molecular dynamics method was implemented. • The present research investigates the influence of palladium percentage and oxygen ratio on air-methane catalytic combustion. • Combustion performance in the presence of excess oxygen and oxygen deficiency is reported. • Increasing palladium percentage improves the combustion performance. • Oxygen and palladium ratios can benefit the combustion process. Combustion is an exothermic chemical process between an explosive substance and an oxidizing agent that is accompanied by heat generation and chemical change of raw materials. Catalysts are used in a combustion process for various reasons, including the speed at which the material reaches equilibrium. Catalysts are chemicals that increase the rate of reaction in chemical processes. The present research investigates the influence of palladium percentage and oxygen ratio on air-methane catalytic combustion in a helical microchannel. For this purpose, the atomic behavior and combustion performance of the simulated sample in the presence of excess oxygen and oxygen deficiency is reported by the molecular dynamics (MD) method. The potential functions used in this paper were Lennard-Jones, the embedded atom model (EAM), and Coulomb. It is concluded that increasing palladium percentage in limited ratios improves the atomic and combustion performance of the simulated structure, and this enhancement is greater in the presence of excess oxygen. In the presence of excess oxygen, the numerical value of maximum density, velocity and temperature converged from 0.138 atom/Å3, 0.33 Å/ps and 523 K to 0.144 atom/Å3, 0.36 Å/ps and 539 K, respectively with increasing palladium percentage from 1 % to 4 %. And by increasing the palladium ratio to 10 %, these numerical values decrease to 0.137 atom/Å3, 0.31 Å/ps and 530 K. Moreover, in the presence of oxygen deficiency, heat flux, thermal conductivity, and combustion efficiency of atomic samples reached 2049 W/m2, 1.23 W/m.K and 90 % after rising palladium to 4 %, and it decreased to 2035 W/m2, 1.19 W/m.K and 86 % by adding 10 % palladium. Therefore, the results indicate that the oxygen and the catalyst (palladium) ratios can benefit the combustion process. These results can optimize the atomic performance and combustion performance of structures essential for use in various industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel plate-type acoustic metamaterial with a high sound transmission loss (STL) in the low-frequency range (1000 Hz) is designed, theoretically proven and then experimentally verified. The thin plates with large modulus used in this paper mean that we do not need to apply tension to the plates, which is more applicable to practical engineering, the achievement of noise reduction is better and the installation of plates is more user-friendly than that of the membranes. The effects of different structural parameters of the plates on the sound-proofed performance at low-frequencies were also investigated by experiment and finite element method (FEM). The results showed that the STL can be modulated effectively and predictably using vibration theory by changing the structural parameters, such as the radius and thickness of the plate. Furthermore, using unit cells of different geometric sizes which are responsible for different frequency regions, the stacked panels with thickness 16 mm and weight 5 kg/m2 showed high STL below 2000 Hz. The acoustic metamaterial proposed in this study could provide a potential application in the low-frequency noise insulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multi-state density functional theory (MSDFT) provides a convenient way to estimate electronic coupling of charge transfer processes based on a diabatic representation. Its performance has been benchmarked against the HAB11 database with a mean unsigned error (MUE) of 17 meV between MSDFT and ab initio methods. The small difference may be attributed to different representations, diabatic from MSDFT and adiabatic from ab initio calculations. In this discussion, we conclude that MSDFT provides a general and efficient way to estimate the electronic coupling for charge-transfer rate calculations based on the Marcus-Hush model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we investigate an initial boundary value problem for 1D compressible Navier–Stokes/Allen–Cahn system, which describes the motion of a mixture of two viscous compressible fluids. We establish the global existence and uniqueness of strong and classical solutions of Navier–Stokes/Allen–Cahn system by using the energy estimates, structure of the equations and the properties of one dimension. Here, we emphasize that the initial vacuum is allowed here. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Bupleurum (family Apiaceae), comprising approximately 248 accepted species, is widely distributed and used in China, Japan, India, Central Asia, North Africa and some European countries as traditional herbal medicines. Certain species have been reported to have significant therapeutic effects in fever, inflammatory disorders, cancer, gastric ulcer, virus infection and other diseases. we performed a comprehensive review of the ten-year research progress in phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, along with bibliometrics research of the genus Bupleurum, aiming to identify knowledge gaps for future research. All the literatures are retrieved from library and electronic sources including Web of Science, PubMed, Elsevier, Google Scholar, CNKI and Baidu Scholar. These papers cover studies of the traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the genus Bupleurum. There is a long history of using the genus Bupleurum in traditional herbal medicine that dated back to over 2000 years ago. Twenty-five species and 8 varieties with 3 variants within this genus have been reported to be effective to treat fever, pain, liver disease, inflammation, thoracolumbar pain, irregular menstruation and rectal prolapse. The main phytochemicals found in these plants are triterpene saponins, volatile oil, flavonoid, lignans, and polysaccharides. Many of these compounds have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antimicrobial, immunoregulation, neuroregulation, hepatoprotective and antidiabetic activities. Meanwhile, improper usage of Bupleurum may induce cytotoxic effects, and polyacetylenes may be the main poisonous compounds. This article summarized recent findings about Bupleurum research from many different aspects. While a small number of Bupleurum species have been investigated through modern pharmacology methods, there are still major knowledge gaps due to inadequate studies and ambiguous findings. Future research could focus on more specific phytochemistry studies combined with mechanistic analysis to provide better guidance to utilize Bupleurum as medicinal resources. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant R2R3-MYB transcription factors play crucial roles in stress responses. We previously isolated a R2R3-MYB homolog from sweet cherry cv. Hong Deng, designated PacMYBA (GenBank accession No. KF974774 ). To explore the role of PacMYBA in the plant stress response, we heterologously expressed PacMYBA in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants. In a previous study, we demonstrated that PacMYBA is mainly localized to the nucleus and could be induced by abscisic acid (ABA). Analysis of the promoter sequence of PacMYBA revealed that it contains several stress-related cis -elements. QPCR results showed that PacMYBA is induced by salt, salicylic (SA), and jasmonic acid (JA) in sweet cherry leaves. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants heterologously expressing PacMYBA exhibited enhanced salt-tolerance and increased resistance to Pseudomonas syringe pv. tomato ( Pst ) DC3000 infection. Overexpression of PacMYBA decreased the osmotic potential (OP), increased the free proline content, and increased the peroxidase content in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. Furthermore, overexpression of PacMYBA also affected the expression levels of salt stress- and pathogen defense-related genes in the transgenic plants. These results indicate that PacMYBA is a positive regulator of salt stress tolerance and pathogen resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nonlinear relationships across spatially-distributed irrigation, actual evapotranspiration and crop yield, and interactions between agriculture and ecology aggravate difficulties in water, land and fertilizer resources optimization. To address the above problems, this paper developed a framework of footprint families based multi-objective type-2 fuzzy random chance constrained programming (FFMOT2FRCCP). It integrated the multi-objective programming (MOP), footprint families, interval type-2 AHP (IT2AHP), type-2 fuzzy random chance constrained programming (T2FRCCP) with spatially-distributed water production functions. Spatially distributed irrigation-yield functions and irrigation-actual evapotranspiration functions were fitted simultaneously to simulate spatial heterogeneous yield considering nonlinear relationships across irrigation, actual evapotranspiration and yield. It overcomes disadvantages of traditional functions in neglecting spatially-distributed water transfers between irrigation and evapotranspiration. Interactive relationships between agricultural and ecological effects were measured by footprint families containing water, carbon ecological and energy footprint concurrently based on the life cycle approach. Besides, both water shortage risk and yield loss risk were quantified and controlled with consideration of their conduction machines. Moreover, weights across footprint families and risks were determined by the IT2AHP approach by taking compound uncertainties of subjectivities of mangers into account. In addition, uncertainties of the runoff were handled by T2FRCCP approach. The model was applied to Yingke irrigation district to verify its application. Resulted showed that (1) ecological footprint decreased, energy footprint, carbon footprint and risks enlarged when flow levels changed though its high, medium and low levels; (2) yield loss risk varied from 0 to 0.27 while water shortage risk changed from 0.13 to 0.32, and crop yield losses occurred after water shortage risk took place; (3) the actual evapotranspiration presented mismatching variations with yield because of their various irrigation thresholds. The results could offer insight in how to measure and handle nonlinear relationships amid distributed actual evapotranspiration and yield under various water allocation schemes. Besides, the results could provide optimal decisions giving consideration of agricultural and ecological balances for managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

water-agricultural-ecology nexus system has spatial heterogeneous characteristics owing to heterogeneities of soil, crop, and weather types. Such complexes aggravate the difficulties in agricultural water, land, and fertilizer resources optimization. To address the above problems, this paper developed the spatially-distributed ANN-multi-objective multi-preference fuzzy credibility constrained programming (distributed ANN-MOMPFCCP) for optimizing water, land, and fertilizer resources. It incorporates the multi-objective programming (MOP), multi-preferences credibility constrained programming (MPFCCP) with the distributed ANN model, and has obvious advantages in improving the calculation efficiency of the traditional spatially-distributed crop simulation-optimization model. Besides, it can address uncertainties of the crop simulation model by introducing stochastic programming. It builds connections between food yields and agricultural ecological effects by introducing negative and positive ecological benefits in study system. Through proposed model, optimal distributed schemes considering spatial heterogeneous net economic and ecological benefit, and associated integrated risks can be generated. Optimal results show that water shortage risk occupied about 20 % of total risks, economic and ecological loss occupied about 20~20.2 % and 20~21 % of total economic and ecological benefits, respectively. Considering uncertainties of crop simulation model was a high effective way to improve robustness of simulation model. The model could offer insight alternatives for regional managers in measuring distributed agricultural-ecological benefit as well as making tradeoff among economic, ecological benefits and risks. Moreover, this approach can help manage multi-type resources under uncertainties, and provide multiple groups of Pareto solutions for managers, so that managers could select best management practices based on respective risk attitudes, and preferences. • The spatially-distributed ANN model was established to simulate spatial heterogeneous yield. • The uncertainties of the spatially-distributed AquaCrop model were measured. • The spatially-distributed ANN-MOMPFCCP model was built to optimize decisions. • The developed model was applied to a case study to verify its application and robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The generalized Cattaneo equation is a new heat conduction equation which is based on the time-nonlocal generalization of Fourier law. The fractional calculus approach is used in the generalized Cattaneo model. With the help of the Laplace transform, the exact solution of an initial-boundary value problem is obtained and presented under series forms in terms of the H-functions, which is suitable for numerical computation. The solutions of some special cases can also be concluded from the result of this paper. Finally, the influences of the model parameters on the temperature distribution are spotlighted by graphical illustrations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To explore methods of reducing NOx emission from pulverized coal boilers, the effects of injecting ammonia solution and pyrolysis gas into the furnace on NOx emission were experimentally investigated on a 75 t/h pulverized coal boiler. Results show that the deep air staging with 30% separated over fire air (SOFA) creates a high temperature and strong reducing atmosphere in the reducing zone, providing the prerequisites for NOx reduction by ammonia solution and pyrolysis gas. Compared with deep air staging itself, NOx emission can be reduced by 16.7% when ammonia solution is injected from the reducing zone with a normalized stoichiometric ratio of 2.0. However, NOx reduction efficiency is largely affected by its injection position. Similarly, NOx emission is decreased by 28.2% through injecting pyrolysis gas with its calorific value of 10% into the furnace, while a further increase of pyrolysis gas input will not increase NOx reduction efficiency. When ammonia solution and pyrolysis gas are simultaneously injected into the furnace under deep air staging conditions, the overall NOx reduction efficiency reaches 92.0% and NOx emission is decreased to 39.1 mg/m3. Considering the increasingly strict NOx emission standard, these findings can provide theoretical and practical guides to the future NOx reduction in pulverized coal boilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this paper is to give a classification of Sturm-Liouville differential equations with non-symmetric matrices coefficients in terms of the number of square integrable solutions of the system and its conjugate system. The conjugate system is innovatively introduced to get the classification. Furthermore, the asymptotic behavior of elements in the maximal domain is studied. As applications, the J-self-adjoint operator realizations are given for a special case in the classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We developed an improved method for preparing high molecular weight DNA (HMW-DNA) from leaves of Chrysanthemum lavandulifolium that has high content of phenolic compounds. Compared with three previous methods for preparing HMW-DNA, only with the improved method a considerable yield of HMW-DNA more than 2Mb was achieved. The improved method utilizes a modified buffer system including 1% (v/v) β-mercaptoethanol, 4mM spermidine and 6% (w/v) polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-40 and a centrifugal speed of 1600× g to extract and suspend HMW-DNA. With the improved method, phenolic compounds were successfully removed and antioxidants protected HMW-DNA from oxidation and degradation. No difference on the yield of DNA was observed with different lysis times. The HMW-DNA can be partially digested to 23–80kb in size, and is suitable for artificial chromosome library construction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• We propose a distributed node-specific block-diagonal LCMV (DNBD-LCMV) beamformer in WASNs. • We show the motivation of the DNBD-LCMV and analyze its convergence rate, computational complexity, and communication bandwidth. • We show the robustness of the DNBD-LCMV to the estimation errors of acoustic transform function and voice activity detector. This paper derives the analytical solution of a novel distributed node-specific block-diagonal linearly constrained minimum variance beamformer from the centralized linearly constrained minimum variance (LCMV) beamformer when considering that the noise covariance matrix is block-diagonal. To further reduce the computational complexity of the proposed beamformer, the Sherman–Morrison–Woodbury formula is introduced to compute the inversion of the noise covariance matrix at each node. By doing so, we can compute the lower-dimensional exchanged signals between different nodes, where the optimal LCMV beamformer is still available at each node as if each node is to transmit its all raw sensor signal observations. The proposed beamformer is fully distributable without imposing restrictions on the underlying network topology or scaling computational complexity, i.e., there is no increase in the per-node complexity when new nodes are added to the networks. Compared with state-of-the-art distributed node-specific algorithms that are often time-recursive, the proposed beamformer exactly solves the LCMV beamformer optimally frame by frame, which has much lower complexity and is more robust to acoustic transfer function estimation error and voice activity detector error. Numerous experimental results are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed beamformer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of replacing fish meal (FM) protein with peptides from swine blood (PSB) on the growth, digestion, and absorption capacity of hybrid groupers (female Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × male Epinephelus lanceolatus). It also analyzed their inflammatory-related gene expression, and intestinal microbiota. Four isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental feeds were formulated to replace 0% (FM), 25% (PSB25), 50% (PSB50), and 75% (PSB75) of the FM protein with PSB. Each experimental diet was fed to triplicate groups of 30 hybrid grouper juveniles for 8 weeks. No significant differences in the weight gain and specific growth rates were found among the FM, PSB25, and PSB50 groups. The intestinal digestive enzyme (lipase, amylase, trypsin, and pepsin) and brush border enzyme (Na+/K+-ATPase, creatine kinase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase) activities showed no significant differences among the FM, PSB25, and PSB50 groups. Meanwhile, trypsin, pepsin. Creatine kinase, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase activities in the PSB group were significantly higher than those of the FM group. No significant differences in the expression levels of the toll-like receptor 21 (TLR21), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2, IL-8, and IL-10) were observed among the four groups. The intestinal microbiota results showed no significant differences in alpha diversity among the four groups. At the genus level, at the genus level, Lactobacillus relative abundance was significantly reduced in the PSB10 group compared to that in the FM group. However, no significant differences were found among the FM, PSB50, and PSB75 groups. However, no significant differences were found among the FM, PSB50, and PSB75 groups. These results demonstrated that up to 50% of the FM protein in the feed can be replaced by PSB without adversely affecting the nutritional status and inflammatory response in hybrid groupers. Replacing FM with PSB significantly influences the microbial profile but not the diversity • Substitution of fishmeal (FM) up to 50% with peptides from swine blood (PSB) can be replaced by PSB without adverse effects on the nutritional status and inflammatory response. • PSB has a significant influence on microbial profiles but not on diversity. • PSB could be a cost-effective alternative to FM in feed for hybrid groupers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the instability movement characteristics of overburden in shallow thick coal seam mining and its influence on the development and distribution of fault fractures. The similarity simulation experiment and theoretical analysis were combined based on the classification of the occurrence characteristics of the key bearing layer in the overburden rock of shallow thick seam mining. This study investigated the fracture characteristics and the instability motion mode of the key bearing layer in shallow thick seam mining and their effects on the distribution of fissures in the overburden rock. The results indicated that according to the horizon of the key bearing layer, the occurrence of overburden rock could be classified into 2 categories, i.e., the horizon of the key bearing layer within the caving zone and within the fissure zone. The horizon of the key bearing layer has a significant effect on the fracture characteristics and the instability motion mode of the key bearing layer. When the horizon of the key bearing layer is in the overburden caving zone, a "step rock beam" develops after fracture, and the instability motion mode is sliding instability. When the horizon of the key bearing layer is in the overburden fissure zone, a "masonry-like beam" develops after fracture, and the instability motion mode is rotary instability. The fracture instability of the key bearing layer could control the development and distribution of fissures in the overburden rock, and the whole favorable zone for the development of fissures extends along the advancing direction of the working face in a form of "diagonal stripes" with the instability motion of the key bearing layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Saikosaponins are regarded as one of the most likely antipyretic constituents of Bupleuri Radix, establishing a comprehensive method that can reflect both the proportion of all constituents and the content of each saikosaponin is critical for its quality evaluation. Methods: In this study, the combination method of quantitative analysis of multiple components with a single marker (QAMS) and fingerprint was firstly established for simultaneous determination of 7 kinds of saikosaponins in Bupleuri Radix by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). Results: The results showed that saikosaponin d was identified as the optimum IR by evaluating the fluctuations and stability of the relative calibration factors (RCFs) under four different conditions. The new QAMS method has been confirmed to accurately quantify the 7 kinds of saikosaponins by comparing the obtained results with those obtained from external standard method and successfully classify the 20 batches of Bupleuri Radix from 8 provinces of China. The experimental time of fingerprint was significantly reduced to approximate 0.5 h through UPLC-PAD method, a total of 17 common peaks were identified. Conclusion: The QAMS-fingerprint method is feasible and reliable for the quality evaluation of Bupleuri Radix. This method could be considered to be spread in the production enterprises of Bupleuri Radix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drawing can regulate emotions through venting or distraction. Distraction is more helpful for short‐term emotion recovery; however, the sustainability of this difference is yet to be clarified. This study used functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to explore potential differences between venting and distraction. Methods: A total of 44 college students participated in the experiment. After inducing fear by video, they were divided into two groups: The venting group drew their emotional experience, and the distraction group drew a house. Subsequently, the participants were instructed to relax by a brief video. Results: Although the distraction group had a higher valence than the venting group at the end of the drawing activity, there was no difference between the two groups after a relaxation period. Additionally, the activation pattern of the prefrontal cortex differed between the two groups. Compared to the distraction group, the venting group had fewer channels with elevated prefrontal activity during drawing, suggesting less cognitive control, and had more channels with reduced prefrontal activity during relaxation, suggesting a higher level of relaxation. Drawing coding and fNIRS data were both associated with variations in valence. Conclusion: The less the cognitive control over emotion and the more free the expression of emotion during drawing, the higher the increase in valence; inversely, the more the cognitive control over emotion and the less free the expression of emotion, the lower the increase in valence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) has an important role in predicting survival in some solid tumors. However, little information is available concerning the change of the SII (∆SII) in colorectal cancer (CRC) after curative resection. This study was designed to evaluate the role of ∆SII in CRC patients who received surgery. Methods. A total 206 patients were enrolled in this study. Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival were assessed. The relationships between overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and ∆SII were analyzed with both univariate Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression methods. Results. Based on the patient data, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) optimal cutoff value of ∆SII was 127.7 for OS prediction. The 3-year and 5-year OS rates, respectively, were 60.4% and 36.7% in the high-∆SII group (>127.7) and 87.6% and 79.8% in the low-∆SII group (≤127.7). The 3-year and 5-year DFS rates, respectively, were 54.1% and 34.1% in the high-∆SII group and 80.3% and 78.5% in the low-∆SII group. In the univariate analysis, smoking, pathological stages III-IV, high-middle degree of differentiation, lymphatic invasion, vascular invasion, and the high-ΔSII group were associated with poor OS. Adjuvant therapy, pathological stages III-IV, vascular invasion, and ΔSII were able to predict DFS. Multivariate analysis revealed that pathological stages III-IV (HR = 0.442 , 95% CI = 0.236 -0.827, p = 0.011), vascular invasion (HR = 2.182 , 95% CI = 1.243 -3.829, p = 0.007), and the high-ΔSII group (HR = 4.301 , 95% CI = 2.517 -7.350, p < 0.001) were independent predictors for OS. Adjuvant therapy (HR = 0.415 , 95% CI = 0.250 -0.687, p = 0.001), vascular invasion (HR = 3.305 , 95% CI = 1.944 -5.620, p < 0.001), and the high-ΔSII group (HR = 4.924 , 95% CI = 2.992 -8.102, p < 0.001) were significant prognostic factors for DFS. Conclusions. The present study demonstrated that ∆SII was associated with the clinical outcome in CRC patients undergoing curative resection, supporting the role of ∆SII as a prognostic biomarker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions across meteorological drought, agricultural drought and irrigation enlarge complexities of simulating and forecasting crop yield under droughts. Besides, contradictory relationships amid multiple objectives considering respective critical thresholds aggravate difficulties in agricultural water resources optimization. To address the above problems, this paper developed a framework of random forest based multi-objective multi-critical control programming with fuzzy boundary intervals (RFMOMCCPFBI) model for agricultural water resources optimization. The MOMCCP is established based on the MOP approach, and it improves upon the MOP in giving lower and upper thresholds of each objective, promising achievement of subjectivities of managers. Moreover, the model enhances the advantages of MCCP in reflecting multiple variations and uncertainties of thresholds by introducing fuzzy boundary intervals. In addition, the crop yield is simulated by random forest approach, which improves calculation efficiency as well as reflect influences of multiple interactive drought and irrigation on crop yield. The RFMOMCCPFBI model is used to Yingke irrigation district to allocate water resources to multiple crops at different growth stages to verify its applications. The results disclose that frequencies of meteorological drought are around 27%, 19% at five growth stages, higher than agricultural drought in future year 2022 to year 2047. Meteorological drought has many times of abrupt changes without significance. Agricultural water-saving potential increases about 20% considering demands of acceptable thresholds of objectives. Water saving potential enlarges with increase of tolerance levels of objective deviations. The model can provide alternatives for managers based on their preferences on objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomaterial on the sensing area elevates the biomolecular immobilization by its right orientation with a proper alignment, and zeolite is one of the suitable materials. In this research, the zeolite nanoparticles were synthesized using rice hush ash as the basic source and the prepared zeolite by the addition of sodium silicate was utilized to attach antibody as a probe on a gap‐fingered dielectrode surface to identify the colon cancer biomarker, "colon cancer‐secreted protein‐2" (CCSP‐2). Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Field Emission Transmission Electron Microscopy images confirmed the size of the nanoparticle to be ∼15 nm and the occurrence of silica and alumina. Zeolite was modified on the electrode surface through the amine linker, and then anti‐CCSP‐2 was attached by an aldehyde linker. On this surface, CCSP‐2 was detected and attained the detection limit to be 3 nM on the linear regression curve with 3–5 nM of CCSP‐2. Estimated by the determination coefficient of y = 2.3952x – 4.4869 and R2 = 9041 with 3δ (n = 3). In addition, control proteins did not produce the notable current response representing the specific sensing of CCSP‐2. This research is suitable to identify CCSP‐2 at a lower level in the bloodstream under the physiological condition of a colon cancer patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The distributed ANNs model was built to simulate spatial yield. • The BLTSFPPSNE model was proposed. • The distributed ANN- BLTSFPPSNE was established. • Water allocation target, irrigation amounts and dates were optimized simultaneously. • The developed model was applied to a case study to verify its application. To optimize irrigation amount and date, and water allocation target across spatially distributed crops under uncertainties and risks, the framework of the distributed ANN - b i l evel t wo-stage s tochastic f uzzy p ossibilistic p rogramming with B ayesian (distributed ANN-BLTSFPPB) model was established by integrating bi-level programming, two stochastic programming (TSP), fuzzy possibilistic programming, Bayesian, downside risk with the distributed ANN model. Decisions making of distributed crops were conducted by building distributed model to optimize decisions at several spatially heterogeneous units. The risks of economic benefit and water productivity were considered and measured by the downside risk approach, and uncertainties of runoff were presented as fuzzy normal distribution numbers to reduce uncertainties and improve robustness of decisions. Besides, tradeoffs between economic benefit and risks in the upper layers, and contradictory relationships across objectives at the upper and lower layers were balanced by the BLTSFPPB model. Moreover, effects of water right trading on economic benefit with considerations of subjectivities of managers under different hydrological years were quantified by Bayesian approach. Calculation efficiencies of the distributed AquaCrop-optimization model were effectively improved by establishing the distributed ANN-BLTSFPPB, making it easy-to-use and expanding its applications. The developed model was applied to Yingke district to verify its application. The results disclosed that economic benefit and yield enlarged, and water productivity and risks lessened when the water right trading was considered. The results could offer insight into how to establish the distributed ANN model to replace distributed simulation model and further couple with optimization model to conduct spatially distributed decisions and improve calculation efficiencies for managers. They can reach key tradeoffs across economic benefit, yield and risks, and support in-depth analysis about how water right trading affects system outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Phytohormonal interactions are crucial for plant development. Auxin and cytokinin (CK) both play critical roles in regulating plant growth and development; however, the interaction between these two phytohormones is complex and not fully understood. Here, we isolated a wild apple (Malus sieversii Roem) GRETCHEN HAGEN3 (GH3) gene, MsGH3.5, encoding an indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA)‐amido synthetase. Overexpression of MsGH3.5 significantly reduced the free IAA content and increased the content of some IAA‐amino acid conjugates, and MsGH3.5‐overexpressing lines were dwarfed and produced fewer adventitious roots (ARs) than the control. This phenotype is consistent with the role of GH3 in conjugating excess free active IAA to amino acids in auxin homeostasis. Surprisingly, overexpression of MsGH3.5 significantly increased CK concentrations in the whole plant, and altered the expression of genes involved in CK biosynthesis, metabolism and signaling. Furthermore, exogenous CK application induced MsGH3.5 expression through the activity of the CK type‐B response regulator, MsRR1a, which mediates the CK primary response. MsRR1a activated MsGH3.5 expression by directly binding to its promoter, linking auxin and CK signaling. Plants overexpressing MsRR1a also displayed fewer ARs, in agreement with the regulation of MsGH3.5 expression by MsRR1a. Taken together, we reveal that MsGH3.5 affects apple growth and development by modulating auxin and CK levels and signaling pathways. These findings provide insight into the interaction between the auxin and CK pathways, and might have substantial implications for efforts to improve apple architecture. Significance Statement: The auxin‐responsive GH3 genes contribute to the maintenance of auxin homeostasis in Arabidopsis and rice; however, little is known about the function of GH3s in apple. Here we demonstrate that MsGH3.5 is an important player in the auxin and cytokinin pathways, affecting shoot and root growth and development by modulating the levels and signaling pathways of these two hormones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory chronic skin disease characterized by chronic inflammation in the dermis, parakeratosis, and excessive epidermal growth. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of immune responses. Although differential expression of miRNAs has been reported in certain inflammatory autoimmune diseases, their role in psoriasis has not been fully illuminated. Our aims were to confirm plasma miRNA expression signatures in psoriasis and to examine their potential influence on psoriasis pathogenesis.Methods: A miRNome PCR array was used to analyse the plasma of psoriasis patients and healthy donors. We performed miRNA pathway enrichment and target gene network analyses on psoriasis plasma samples.Results: We found several specific plasma miRNA signatures relevant to psoriasis. The miRNAs targeted pathways associated with psoriasis, such as the VEGF, MAPK, and WNT signaling pathways. Network analysis revealed pivotal deregulated plasma miRNAs and their relevant target genes and pathways regulating psoriasis pathogenesis.Conclusions: This study analysed the expression of plasma miRNAs and their target pathways, elucidating the pathogenesis of psoriasis; these results may be used to design novel therapeutic strategies and to identify diagnostic biomarkers for psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bupleuri Radix, the dried roots of Bupleurum chinense DC. (BC) or Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd., is one of the most frequently used traditional Chinese medicines. As the species in Xiao-Chai-Hu decoction, BC has been used as an antipyretic medicine with a long history. However, its antipyretic characteristics and underlying mechanism(s) remain unclear. To elucidate the antipyretic characteristics and mechanism(s) of BC used in its traditional way. The water extract of BC (BCE) was prepared according to the traditional decocting mode. Murine fever and endotoxemia models were induced by intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In vitro complement activation assay and the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and C5a were determined by ELISA. BCE exerted a confirmed but mild antipyretic effect on LPS-induced fever of rat. In vitro , it significantly lowered LPS-elevated TNF-α in the supernatant of rat complete blood cells and THP-1 cells, but failed to decrease IL-6 and IL-1β. In murine endotoxemia models, BCE markedly decreased serum TNF-α, but had no impact on IL-6 and IL-1β. BCE also restricted complement activation in vitro and in vivo. Nevertheless, the mixture of saikosaponin A and D could not suppress supernatant TNF-α of monocytes and serum TNF-α of endotoxemia mice. The present study dissects the peripheral mechanism for the antipyretic effect of BC used in the traditional way. Our findings indicate that BCE directly suppresses monocyte-produced TNF-α, thus decreasing circulating TNF-α, which may be responsible for its mild but confirmed antipyretic action. [Display omitted] • BCE exerts a confirmed but mild antipyretic effect on LPS-induced fever of rats. • BCE markedly decreases TNF-α, but not IL-6 and IL-1β, in vitro and in vivo. • BCE restricts complement activation in vitro and in vivo. • The mixture of saikosaponin A and D fails to suppress TNF-α in vitro and in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we calculate the band gap and mobility of the two-dimensional (2D) pentagonal MX 2 by means of first-principles method. Heyd Scuseria Ernzerhof (HSE06) hybrid functional calculation shows that the 2D pentagonal MX 2 is an indirect bandgap semiconductor, and the band gap ranged from 1.86 eV to 3.01 eV. The effective mass and carrier mobility of the 2D pentagonal MX 2 are studied and show anisotropic characteristics, the hole mobility of PtS 2 is the highest (5009.42 cm2 V−1 s−1). According to these results, we find that the 2D pentagonal MX 2 satisfied dynamic, chemical, and thermodynamic stability. All of these indicate the great application prospect of the 2D pentagonal MX 2 semiconductor in electronic devices. • MX 2 (M = Pd, Pt; X = S, Se, Te) are all indirect band gap semiconductors. • The band gap of MX 2 decreases in the order of S, Se and Te. • The carrier mobilities of the six MX 2 materials are all anisotropic. • The light absorption coefficient of the monolayer MX 2 reaches 105 cm−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competitive endogenous messenger RNA (ceRNA) affects transcription of other RNA molecules by competitively binding common microRNAs. Previous studies have shown that TP53INP1 functions as a suppressor in tumor metastasis. Our study elucidated StarD13 messenger RNA as a ceRNA in regulating migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. MicroRNA-125b was identified to induce metastasis of MCF-7 cells and bind with both StarD13 3′UTR and TP53INP1 3′UTR. Therefore, a ceRNA interaction between StarD13 and TP53INP1 mediated by competitively binding to miR-125b was indicated. Importantly, a microRNA-125b binding site at 4546–4560 nt on StarD13 was verified more vital for this ceRNA interaction. Indirectly regulation of SPARC in inducing metastasis of breast cancer cells by StarD13 via competitively binding with TP53INP1 was further confirmed. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate a ceRNA regulatory network which could give a better understanding of metastatic mechanisms of breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Transition of Al-VI to Al-IV/Al-V in aluminosilicate is a prerequisite for Na capture. • The SCE of pure SiO 2 and Al 2 O 3 is lower than aluminosilicate at high temperatures. • There exist optimal ratios of CaO and MgO in aluminosilicates for Na capture. • The addition of Fe 2 O 3 in aluminosilicates inhibits sodium capture. This paper aims to clarify the sodium capture mechanism by silica/aluminosilicate slag under conditions of cyclone combustion process of high-alkali coal. A series of simulated silica and aluminosilicate slag containing various proportions of SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , CaO, MgO, Fe 2 O 3 and NaCl were prepared and exposed in a tube furnace at 1300–1500 °C to simulate a cyclone combustion environment. Results show that the transition from six-coordinated Al (Al-VI) to four- and five-coordinated Al (Al-IV and Al-V) is an essential step for the sodium capture process by molten aluminosilicates. The aluminosilicate with a molar ratio of SiO 2 to Al 2 O 3 (Si/Al) between 3:1 and 10:1 shows the best Na capture performance due to the complete transition of Al in it. Beyond this range, excess Al-VI or SiO 2 will be produced and reduce the sodium capture ability of aluminosilicate. A small amount of CaO or MgO in the aluminosilicates can promote sodium capture efficiency (SCE) due to their fluxing effects. Whereas high content of CaO or MgO will inhibit the Na capture owing to the competing reactions with aluminosilicate between Ca/Mg and Na. The existence of Fe 2 O 3 can strongly inhibit the Na capture, which is probably caused by the fact that the structures of Na-[Fe-O-Si] and Na-[Fe-O-Al] pair are less stable than that of Na-[Si-O-Si] and Na-[Al-O-Si]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to promote the application of high-quality varieties and explore the diversity of cultivated resources of Isatis indigotica Fort., the source of medicinal Banlangen, 10 germplasms were planted in Heilongjiang (HLJ) and Shanxi (SX) provinces to analyze two-year agronomic traits, yields and active ingredient contents in this study. The results showed that germplasm no. 2 had the highest yields in both HLJ (236.54 kg/mu) and SX (368.68 kg/mu), and it had the highest Epigoitrin (RSG) content in HLJ in 2020 (0.8946 %). In addition, the polysaccharide (IRPS) content of germplasm no. 2 was the highest in HLJ (up to 39.100 mg/g), and ranked second in SX (30.767 mg/g). It was the only germplasm with IRPS content that exceeded 30 mg/g in both areas. The yield and RSG content of germplasm no. 6 was slightly lower than that of germplasm no. 2. The germplasms no. 2 and 6 had remarkable advantages in yield and active component content which were worthy of promotion as excellent cultivars in planting industry. Germplasm no. 5 and 10 had advantages in root width and IRPS content, respectively, which could be used as breeding germplasms. Screening germplasm with excellent traits and promoting its cultivation will help to ensure the quality stability of medicinal materials, and to improve economic efficiency of Banlangen production. [Display omitted] • Two high-yield and -quality Banlangen germplasms, no.2 and 6, were obtained. • One germplasm, no. 2, displayed high stress resistance. • Polysaccharides was stable in most germplasms while monosaccharide ratios varied. • Content of Epigoitrin environmentally varied highly in most germplasms. • Banlangen yield was significantly and positively correlated with lower root width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hyperspectral image classification method based on a mixed structure with a 3D multi-shortcut-link network (MSLN) was proposed for the features of few labeled samples, excess noise, and heterogeneous homogeneity of features in hyperspectral images. First, the spatial–spectral joint features of hyperspectral cube data were extracted through 3D convolution operation; then, the deep network was constructed and the 3D MSLN mixed structure was used to fuse shallow representational features and deep abstract features, while the hybrid activation function was utilized to ensure the integrity of nonlinear data. Finally, the global self-adaptive average pooling and L-softmax classifier were introduced to implement the terrain classification of hyperspectral images. The mixed structure proposed in this study could extract multi-channel features with a vast receptive field and reduce the continuous decay of shallow features while improving the utilization of representational features and enhancing the expressiveness of the deep network. The use of the dropout mechanism and L-softmax classifier endowed the learned features with a better generalization property and intraclass cohesion and interclass separation properties. Through experimental comparative analysis of six groups of datasets, the results showed that this method, compared with the existing deep-learning-based hyperspectral image classification methods, could satisfactorily address the issues of degeneration of the deep network and "the same object with distinct spectra, and distinct objects with the same spectrum." It could also effectively improve the terrain classification accuracy of hyperspectral images, as evinced by the overall classification accuracies of all classes of terrain objects in the six groups of datasets: 97.698%, 98.851%, 99.54%, 97.961%, 97.698%, and 99.138%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The MYB transcription factors and plant hormone ABA have been suggested to play a role in fruit anthocyanin biosynthesis, but supporting genetic evidence has been lacking in sweet cherry. The present study describes the first functional characterization of an R2R3-MYB transcription factor, PacMYBA, from red-colored sweet cherry cv. Hong Deng (Prunus avium L.). Transient promoter assays demonstrated that PacMYBA physically interacted with several anthocyanin-related basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) transcription factors to activate the promoters of PacDFR, PacANS and PacUFGT, which are thought to be involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Furthermore, the immature seeds of transgenic Arabidopsis plants overexpressing PacMYBA exhibited ectopic pigmentation. Silencing of PacMYBA, using a Tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-induced gene silencing technique, resulted in sweet cherry fruit that lacked red pigment. ABA treatment significantly induced anthocyanin accumulation, while treatment with the ABA biosynthesis inhibitor nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) blocked anthocyanin production. PacMYBA expression peaked after 2 h of pre-incubation in ABA and was 15.2-fold higher than that of sweet cherries treated with NDGA. The colorless phenotype was also observed in the fruits silenced in PacNCED1, which encodes a key enzyme in the ABA biosynthesis pathway. The endogenous ABA content as well as the transcript levels of six structural genes and PacMYBA in PacNCED1-RNAi (RNA interference) fruit were significantly lower than in the TRV vector control fruit. These results suggest that PacMYBA plays an important role in ABA-regulated anthocyanin biosynthesis and ABA is a signal molecule that promotes red-colored sweet cherry fruit accumulating anthocyanin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulsive jet nozzle, which converts the continuous jet into a pulsive jet, is widely used in downhole well operations, such as drilling and perforation. In this paper, a self-excited oscillation pulsed jet nozzle is proposed basing on the Coanda effect. The effects of nozzle design, inlet flow rate, and target distance on the jet dynamics, such as the pulsive characteristics and impacting performance, were investigated. The transient flow pattern was studied with a high-speed camera, which showed a good agreement with the numerical results. Furthermore, with the increase of the inlet flow, the pulsation amplitude of impacting pressure of the Coanda nozzle increased. Based on the obtained data, the relationship between the pulsive frequency and Reynolds number and that between Strouhal number and Reynolds number was revealed. Under a confining pressure of 30 MPa, a target distance of 70 mm, and an inlet flow rate of 15 m/s, the error between the numerical impacting pressure and the experimental value was 9.7%, which confirmed the numerical approach could be used to predict the transient jet process. The obtained results can guide the design of a self-excited oscillation pulse jet nozzle and its oilfield application. • A self-excited oscillation pulsed jet nozzle with Coanda effect is proposed. • Computational fluid dynamics was applied to simulate the pulsive behavior. • Process parameters shown significant influence on the pulsive characteristics. • An error of 9.3% was achieved between numerical and experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three-river headwater region (TRHR) supplies the Yangtze, Yellow, and Lantsang rivers, and its ecological environment is fragile, hence it is important to study the surface vegetation cover status of the TRHR to facilitate its ecological conservation. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) can reflect the cover status of surface vegetation. The aims of this study are to quantify the spatial heterogeneity of the NDVI, identify the main driving factors influencing the NDVI, and explore the interaction between these factors. To this end, we used the global inventory modeling and mapping studies (GIMMS)-NDVI data from the TRHR from 1982 to 2015 and included eight natural factors (namely slope, aspect, elevation, soil type, vegetation type, landform type, annual mean temperature, and annual precipitation) and three anthropogenic factors (gross domestic product (GDP), population density, and land use type), which we subjected to linear regression analysis, the Mann-Kendall statistical test, and moving t-test to analyze the spatial and temporal variability of the NDVI in the TRHR over 34 years, using a geographical detector model. Our results showed that the NDVI distribution of the TRHR was high in the southeast and low in the northwest. The change pattern exhibited an increasing trend in the west and north and a decreasing trend in the center and south; overall, the mean NDVI value from 1982 to 2015 has increased. Annual precipitation was the most important factor influencing the NDVI changes in the TRHR, and factors, such as annual mean temperature, vegetation type, and elevation, also explained the vegetation coverage status well. The influence of natural factors was generally stronger than that of anthropogenic factors. The NDVI factors had a synergistic effect, exhibiting mutual enhancement and nonlinear enhancement relationships. The results of this study provide insights into the ecological conservation of the TRHR and the ecological security and development of the middle and lower reaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• After the application of IMQ, not only induced psoriasis-like skin lesions, but also showed depressive-like behaviors appeared in mice. • The secretion of neurotransmitters in different brain regions of psoriasis-like mice was disordered. Psoriasis is not only a chronic inflammatory skin disease but also a psychosomatic disorder. Depression is one of the most common associated diseases, which aggravates psoriatic skin lesions and affects the life quality of patients. Clinical experiments establish a correlation between psoriasis and depression; however, the mechanisms yet unclear because only a few related studies are available. Therefore, to investigate whether imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mice showed depressive-like behavior, 5% imiquimod cream was smeared on the back of mice to induce psoriasis-like skin lesions for 8 days. Consequently, the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) score, epidermal thickness, expression of Ki67 and CD3+ T lymphocyte, the content of IL-12p70, IL-17A, and IL-23 in skin lesions were increased. The psoriasis-like mice presented significant changes in body mass. The sugar water preference rate, the central area distance and area time, and the content of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylaceticacid (DOPAC) and noradrenaline (NE) in the prefrontal cortex, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), adrenaline (Ad), and DOPAC in the hippocampus, and Ad and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the hypothalamus of psoriasis-like mice were significantly decreased. The results showed that after the application of imiquimod, depressive-like behaviors appeared in psoriasis-like mice, and the secretion of related neurotransmitters was disordered. Thus, these mice could be used as animal models for studying psoriasis complicated with depression symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder with chronic plaque psoriasis being the primary manifestation during the remission stage. Patients often have a slow course and long history of the disease. The refractory type of psoriasis is a stubborn rash that does not subside easily. We designed this randomized controlled trial to compare the effectiveness and relapse rates of plaque psoriasis in patients treated with either acupuncture, moxibustion or calcipotriol ointment. The ultimate aim of the study is to select an effective traditional Chinese medicine therapy for patients with plaque psoriasis.Methods: The study will be a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial that compares the effectiveness of fire needle therapy, moxibustion and calcipotriol ointment. In total, 160 patients with plaque psoriasis who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited from three hospitals in Beijing and then randomly assigned to receive either fire needle therapy (group A1), moxibustion (group A2) or calcipotriol ointment (group B). All participants will receive an 8-week treatment and will then be followed up for another 24 weeks, with time points at weeks 12 and 24 after treatment completion. The primary outcomes to be measured are relapse rates and psoriasis area and severity index score of the target lesions. In addition, the target lesion onset time, dermatology life quality index, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score, and the relapse interval of the target lesion will be measured. Adverse events will be recorded for safety assessment.Discussion: The aim of this study is to determine whether fire needle therapy or moxibustion could improve the clinical effectiveness for psoriasis lesions and reduce the relapse rate. Once completed, it will provide information regarding therapeutic evaluation on fire needle therapy or moxibustion for plaque psoriasis, which will assist clinicians in selecting the most effective treatment options for patients.Trial Registration: International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), ChiCTR1800019588. Registered on 19 November 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]