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Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of internet‐based self‐management interventions on pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design: Systematic review and meta‐analysis. Data Sources: Eight electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, Embase, CINAHL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wangfang and Weipu databases were systematically searched from inception of the database to January 10, 2022. Methods: Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 and results were reported as mean difference (MD) or standard mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Outcomes were the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced volume capacity (FVC) and percent of FEV1/FVC. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was used to assess the risk of bias of included studies. The study protocol was not registered. Results: Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) including 476 participants met the inclusion criteria and were included in meta‐analysis. It was found that internet‐based self‐management interventions showed a significant improvement in FVC(L), while FEV1 (%), FEV1 (L), FEV1/FVC (%) and FVC (%) did not significantly improve. Conclusions: Internet‐based self‐management interventions were effective in improving pulmonary function in patients with COPD, caution should be exercised in interpreting the results. RCTs of higher quality are needed in the future to further demonstrate the effectiveness of the intervention. Relevance to Clinical Practice: It provides evidence for internet‐based self‐management interventions in improving pulmonary function in patients with COPD. Impact: The results suggested that internet‐based self‐management interventions could improve the pulmonary function in people with COPD. This study provides a promising alternative method for patients with COPD who have difficulty seeking face‐to‐face self‐management interventions, and the intervention can be applied in clinical settings. Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stochastic transition behavior of tri-stable states in a fractional-order generalized Van der Pol (VDP) system under multiplicative Gaussian white noise (GWN) excitation is investigated. First, according to the minimal mean square error (MMSE) concept, the fractional derivative can be equivalent to a linear combination of damping and restoring forces, and the original system can be simplified into an equivalent integer-order system. Secondly, the stationary Probability Density Function (PDF) of system amplitude is obtained by stochastic averaging, and based on singularity theory, the critical parameters for stochastic P -bifurcation of the system are found. Finally, the properties of stationary PDF curves of the system amplitude are qualitatively analyzed by choosing the corresponding parameters in each sub-region divided by the transition set curves. The consistency between numerical results obtained by Monte-Carlo simulation and analytical solutions verified the accuracy of the theoretical analysis process and the method used in this paper has a direct guidance in the design of fractional-order controller to adjust the system behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: maize; disease resistance; genome editing; susceptibility gene; NANMT EN maize disease resistance genome editing susceptibility gene NANMT 1525 1527 3 07/26/23 20230801 NES 230801 Maize is one of the most important crops in the world. Recently, it has been proved that generation of genome editing materials using CRISPR/Cas9 by targeting susceptibility (S) genes (e.g. I Mlo i and I DMR6 i ) is a powerful way to confer disease resistance in economically important crops (Tripathi I et al i ., [8]; Wang I et al i ., [9]). [Extracted from the article]

[Display omitted] • Cocrystals based on I-, Br-based halogen-bond donors and N-based halogen-bond acceptor were constructed. • Strength and density of σ-hole could affect degree of electron-hole separation and charge carrier transport. • Tuning photoelectric response of halogen-bonded cocrystals can be achieved employing the σ-hole effect. • Halogen-bonded cocrystals are enable to effectively photocatalytic reduce U(VI) of uranium contamination. The mechanism of how the internal composition of halogen-bonded cocrystals affecting photoelectric properties is ambiguous. Herein, we report a series of stable halogen-bonded cocrystals containing I-, Br-based halogen bond donors and N-based halogen bond acceptor. The halogen bonds served an intrinsic hub, and the two parts (donor and acceptor) were spliced into a highly ordered periodic network with a tight electronic configuration. The charge transfer within lattice induced by the σ-hole effect activates disparate photoelectric phenomena. The results uncover that the degree of photoelectric response of cocrystals can be adjusted rationally by manipulating the intensity and density of σ-holes with an atomic precision at the molecular level. The experimental and theoretical studies of the σ-hole effect pave the way to simplify the design principle of functional cocrystals. Eventually, benefiting from the fascinating photoelectric activity, halogen-bonded cocrystals exhibited excellent photocatalytic reduction ability of radionuclide uranium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) are important pharmaceutical and oilseed crops widely cultivated in China. Tree peony flowers, as important by-products of the industrial crops, are conventionally used as folk medicine with health-promoting effects on human. However, the in-depth understanding of biologically active compounds in tree peony flowers is scarce. In this study, an in-depth analysis of bioactive compounds in tree peony flower buds (TPFBs) from 74 cultivars was conducted using an integrated LC-MS-based metabolomic approach. Ninety-two metabolites were tentatively identified in TPFBs. The quantitative results revealed that TPFBs were abundant in bioactive compounds. Among these, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, cynaroside, and pentagalloylglucose (PGG) emerged as the primary chemical markers of TPFBs, showing significant variations based on genotype. Each extract of TPFB exhibited potent antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-neuroinflammatory activities. Notably, TPFB extract showed the highest effectiveness in inhibiting L. monocytogenes among all tested bacteria. Cynaroside was predicted to serve as a pivotal component in TPFB for its anti-neuroinflammatory effects by interacting with toll-like receptor 4 (TRL4) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1β). This study offers novel insights into the bioactive compounds and bioactivities of TPFBs, which lays theoretical basis for the application in pharmaceutical industry. [Display omitted] • Bioactive compound profiling through integrative metabolomics. • Tree peony flower buds are abundant in monoterpenoids and polyphenols. • Flower bud extract exhibits outstanding inhibitory effect against L. monocytogenes. • TRL4 and IL-1β might be the key targets of anti-neuroinflammation. • Tree peony flower bud can be utilized in pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brief introduction of Chinese Hygrobatidae taxonomy is reviewed. A new species, Sinibates xinyaoae Li, Smit & Guo sp. nov. from Hainan province is described representing a new genus Sinibates Li, Smit & Guo gen. nov. A second species, Hygrobates (Minibates) cf. dobriyali Pešić & Smit, 2019, from Hunan province represents a new subgenus, Minibates Li, Smit & Guo subgen. nov. in Hygrobates. The other new species, Mixobates neoamurensis Li & Guo sp. nov. from Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region adds a newly recorded genus, Mixobates Thor, 1905 from China.Text: LSIDhttps://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:3EF1A166-30A4-4761-A133-E00F40B68007Genus: Sinibates Li, Smit & Guo gen. nov.: LSID https://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:D4F94642-D47C-4200-B36B-C695A54166B4Species: Sinibates xinyaoae Li, Smit & Guo sp. nov.: LSID https://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:23C6986A-128D-4906-9027-926891B2C138Subgenus: Minibates Li, Smit & Guo subgen. nov.: LSID https://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:142B5C42-140C-4E6A-B38E-180F8C442B1BSpecies: Mixobates neoamurensis Li & Guo sp. nov.: LSID https://www.zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:9B494E8C-81F7-4859-8DC3-88392DCDB67A [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most plant intracellular immune receptors belong to nucleotide‐binding, leucine‐rich repeat (NLR) proteins. The recognition between NLRs and their corresponding pathogen effectors often triggers a hypersensitive response (HR) at the pathogen infection sites. The nicotinate N‐methyltransferase (NANMT) is responsible for the conversion of nicotinate to trigonelline in plants. However, the role of NANMT in plant defence response is unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that the maize ZmNANMT, but not its close homolog ZmCOMT, an enzyme in the lignin biosynthesis pathway, suppresses the HR mediated by the autoactive NLR protein Rp1‐D21 and its N‐terminal coiled‐coil signalling domain (CCD21). ZmNANMT, but not ZmCOMT, interacts with CCD21, and they form a complex with HCT1806 and CCoAOMT2, two key enzymes in lignin biosynthesis, which can also suppress the autoactive HR mediated by Rp1‐D21. ZmNANMT is mainly localized in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and either localization is important for suppressing the HR phenotype. These results lay the foundation for further elucidating the molecular mechanism of NANMTs in plant disease resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Momonides neolandbergi Li & Guo sp. nov. is described in detail, which is the fifth species all over the world in Momonidinae Lundblad, 1941, Momoniidae K. Viets, 1926. The family and subfamily are newly recorded for Chinese fauna. The new species are recorded by camera, optical microscope, and scanning electron microscope. Publication:New species: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract As(III) is the most harmful substance of all over 20 kinds of arsenic compounds. In addition, the trivalent oxidation state of arsenic is not stable, which can be oxidized to pentavalent arsenic. Thus, it is attractive and challenging to sensitively and selectively monitor As(III) concentration, rather than As(V) concentration, in water. However, most of detection techniques suffer from the inability to distinguish As(III) and As(V), or even need specialized personnel and additional equipment. Herein, novel luminescent Ce(III)-based coordination polymer nanoparticles (Ce-CPNs) have been proposed for selective detection of As(III). The Ce-CPNs are dispersive and show a fluorescence peak at 353 nm under excitation at 280 nm. With the presence of As(III), aggregation of Ce-CPNs occurs, resulting in quenching of the fluorescent Ce-CPNs due to the aggregation-caused π-π stacked layers of Ce-CPNs. Under optimal conditions, the detection limit for As(III) is down to 0.7 ppb. In addition, the Ce-CPNs are selective for As(III) over other ions and has been successfully applied for fluorescence sensing of As(III) in environmental water samples. Graphical abstract A novel As(III) fluorescence assay was proposed using Ce(III)-based coordination polymer nanoparticles (Ce-CPNs) fluorescent probes based on target induced aggregation of Ce-CPNs and the aggregation-caused π-π stacked layers of Ce-CPNs. fx1 Highlights • Ce(III)-based coordinate polymer nanoparticles (Ce-CPNs) were synthesized using a facile solvothermal method. • It is a novel strategy for the sensitive determination of As(III) based on the quenching of Ce-CPNs fluorescence. • Ce-CPNs fluorescent probe displayed outstanding detection capabilities for As(III) in environmental samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the actuator saturation, the problem of multiobjective constraint fault-tolerant control is studied for networked Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy system with nonuniform transmission period under the discrete event-triggered communication scheme (DETCS). A closed-loop T-S fuzzy model, which includes numerous factors such as actuator saturation, actuator failure, event-triggered condition, nonuniform transmission period, and time-delay, is established by transferring the effect caused by the nonuniform update period on the system performance into the effect on the system time-delay. Two stability criterions and two codesign methods for the networked closed-loop failure T-S fuzzy system are developed based on a discontinuous Lyapunov-Krasovskii function, a kind of reciprocally convex technology, a kind of linear convex combination, Jessen inequality, and Wirtinger’s inequality. A feasible experimental solution is presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3D paper-based microfluidic device has been developed for colorimetric determination of selected heavy metals in water samples by stacking layers of wax patterned paper and double-sided adhesive tape. It has the capability of wicking fluids and distributing microliter volumes of samples from single inlet into affrays of detection zones without external pumps, thus a range of metal assays can be simply and inexpensively performed. We demonstrate a prototype of four sample inlets for up to four heavy metal assays each, with detection limits as follows: Cu (II) = 0.29 ppm, Ni(II) = 0.33 ppm, Cd (II) = 0.19 ppm, and Cr (VI) = 0.35 ppm, which provided quantitative data that were in agreement with values gained from atomic absorption. It has the ability to identify these four metals in mixtures and is immune to interferences from either nontoxic metal ions such as Na(I) and K(I) or components found in reservoir or beach water. With the incorporation of a portable detector, a camera mobile phone, this 3D paper-based microfluidic device should be useful as a simple, rapid, and on-site screening approach of heavy metals in aquatic environments. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nectogaline shrews are a major component of the small mammalian fauna of Europe and Asia, and are notable for their diverse ecology, including utilization of aquatic habitats. So far, molecular phylogenetic analyses including nectogaline species have been unable to infer a well-resolved, well-supported phylogeny, thus limiting the power of comparative evolutionary and ecological analyses of the group. Here, we employ Bayesian phylogenetic analyses of eight mitochondrial and three nuclear genes to infer the phylogenetic relationships of nectogaline shrews. We subsequently use this phylogeny to assess the genetic diversity within the genus Episoriculus, and determine whether adaptation to aquatic habitats evolved independently multiple times. Moreover, we both analyze the fossil record and employ Bayesian relaxed clock divergence dating analyses of DNA to assess the impact of historical global climate change on the biogeography of Nectogalini. We infer strong support for the polyphyly of the genus Episoriculus. We also find strong evidence that the ability to heavily utilize aquatic habitats evolved independently in both Neomys and Chimarrogale + Nectogale lineages. Our Bayesian molecular divergence analysis suggests that the early history of Nectogalini is characterized by a rapid radiation at the Miocene/Pliocene boundary, thus potentially explaining the lack of resolution at the base of the tree. Finally, we find evidence that nectogalines once inhabited northern latitudes, but the global cooling and desiccating events at the Miocene/Pliocene and Pliocene/Pleistocene boundaries and Pleistocene glaciation resulted in the migration of most Nectogalini lineages to their present day southern distribution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim: To identify and appraise the quality of evidence of transitional care interventions on quality of life in lung cancer patients. Background: Quality of life is a strong predictor of survival. The transition from hospital to home is a high‐risk period for patients' readmission and death, which seriously affect their quality of life. Design: Systematic review and meta‐analysis. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and CINAHL databases were searched from inception to 22 October 2022. The primary outcome was quality of life. Statistical analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4, results were expressed as standard mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. This study was complied with PRISMA guidelines and previously registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023429464). Results: Fourteen randomized controlled trials were included consisting of a total of 1700 participants, and 12 studies were included in the meta‐analysis. It was found that transitional care interventions significantly improved quality of life (SMD = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.40, p =.03) and helped reduce symptoms (SMD = −0.65, 95% CI: −1.13 to −0.18, p =.007) in lung cancer patients, but did not significantly reduce anxiety and depression, and the effect on self‐efficacy was unclear. Conclusions: This study shows that transitional care interventions can improve quality of life and reduce symptoms in patients, and that primarily educational interventions based on symptom management theory appeared to be more effective. But, there was no statistically significant effect on anxiety and depression. Relevance to Clinical Practice: This study provides references for the application of transitional care interventions in the field of lung cancer care, and encourages nurses and physicians to apply transitional care plans to facilitate patients' safe transition from hospital to home. Patient or Public Contribution: No Patient or Public Contribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fraxinus hubeiensis is an endemic plant that only grows in China and its phytochemistry has never been fully appreciated and sufficiently studied. In the present research, a phytochemical investigation on the leaves of Fraxinus hubeiensis led to the isolation of a new carbonate derivative (10), together with eleven known compounds. Their structures were analyzed on the basis of NMR spectroscopic and data comparison with previous literature. Among them, all of the compounds were isolated from F. hubeiensis for the first time except compound 9 and this is the first report of the occurrence of compounds (2 , 4 , 6 , 10 – 12) from the genus. The carbonate and triterpenoids components may serve as potential chemotaxonomic markers for distinguishing Fraxinus hubeiensis from other species in Fraxinus genus. [Display omitted] • Twelve compounds were isolated from Fraxinus hubeiensis. • Eleven compounds (1 – 8, 10 – 12), including a new carbonate, were isolated from F. hubeiensis for the first time. • The chemotaxonomic significance of these compounds was also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been proposed for electrochemical energy storage, although the poor conductivity resulted from covalent bonds limits their practical performance. Here, we propose to introduce noncovalent bonds in COFs through a molecular insertion strategy for improving the conductivity of the COFs as supercapacitor. The synthesized COFs (MI−COFs) establish equilibriums between covalent bonds and noncovalent bonds, which construct a continuous charge transfer channel to enhance the conductivity. The rapid charge transfer rate enables the COFs to activate the redox sites, bringing about excellent electrochemical energy storage behavior. The results show that the MI−COFs exhibit much better performance in specific capacitance and capacity retention rate than those of most COFs‐based supercapacitors. Moreover, through simply altering inserted guests, the mode and strength of noncovalent bond can be adjusted to obtain different energy storage characteristics. The introduction of noncovalent bonds is an effective and flexible way to enhance and regulate the properties of COFs, providing a valuable direction for the development of novel COFs‐based energy storage materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been proposed for electrochemical energy storage, although the poor conductivity resulted from covalent bonds limits their practical performance. Here, we propose to introduce noncovalent bonds in COFs through a molecular insertion strategy for improving the conductivity of the COFs as supercapacitor. The synthesized COFs (MI−COFs) establish equilibriums between covalent bonds and noncovalent bonds, which construct a continuous charge transfer channel to enhance the conductivity. The rapid charge transfer rate enables the COFs to activate the redox sites, bringing about excellent electrochemical energy storage behavior. The results show that the MI−COFs exhibit much better performance in specific capacitance and capacity retention rate than those of most COFs‐based supercapacitors. Moreover, through simply altering inserted guests, the mode and strength of noncovalent bond can be adjusted to obtain different energy storage characteristics. The introduction of noncovalent bonds is an effective and flexible way to enhance and regulate the properties of COFs, providing a valuable direction for the development of novel COFs‐based energy storage materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ampelopsis grossedentata is a valuable medicinal and edible plant, which is often used as a traditional tea by the Tujia people in China. A. grossedentata has numerous biological activities and is now widely used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. In this study, two new flavonoids (1–2) and seventeen known compounds (3–19) were isolated and identified from the dried stems and leaves of A. grossedentata. These isolated compounds were characterized by various spectroscopic data including mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. All isolates were assessed for their α-glucosidase inhibitory, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective activities, and their structure–activity relationships were further discussed. The results indicated that compound 1 exhibited effective inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase, with an IC50 value of 0.21 μM. In addition, compounds 1–2 demonstrated not only potent antioxidant activities but also superior hepatoprotective properties. The findings of this study could serve as a reference for the development of A. grossedentata-derived products or drugs aimed at realizing their antidiabetic, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) decorated carbon nitride nanosheets (Au–g-C3N4 NSs) could work as an excellent on-electrode cathodic coreactant for Ru(bpy)32+. Based on the regulation effect of AuNPs and mercury (Hg2+) for the dual-potential electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of Ru(bpy)32+, a simple, sensitive and selective ECL system was created for the ratiometric sensing of Hg2+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the threats that Salmonella poses to public health and the abuse of antimicrobials, bacteriophage therapy against Salmonella is experiencing a resurgence. Although several phages have been reported as safe and efficient for controlling Salmonella , the genetic diversity and relatedness among Salmonella phages remain poorly understood. In this study, whole-genome sequences of 91 Salmonella bacteriophages were obtained from the National Center for Biological Information genome database. Phylogenetic analysis, mosaic structure comparisons, gene content analysis, and orthologue group clustering were performed. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four singletons and two major lineages (I–II), including five subdividing clades, of which Salmonella phages belonging to morphologically distinct families were clustered in the same clade. Chimeric structures (n = 31), holin genes (n = 18), lysin genes (n = 66), DNA packaging genes (n = 55), and DNA metabolism genes (n = 24) were present in these phages. Moreover, phages from different subdivided clusters harboured distinct genes associated with host cell lysis, DNA packaging, and DNA metabolism. Notably, phages belonging to morphologically distinct families shared common orthologue groups. Although several functional modules of phages SS1 and SE16 shared > 99% nucleotide sequence identity with phages SI2 and SI23, the major differences between these phages were the absence and replication of functional modules. The data obtained herein revealed the genetic diversity of Salmonella phages at genomic, structural, and gene content levels. The genetic diversity of Salmonella phages is likely owing to the acquisition, loss, and replication of functional modules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In order to achieve low-frequency vibration and noise reduction, this paper proposes an innovative structure based on the four-ligament chiral structure. The band gap characteristics and the principle of band gap generation are numerically analyzed by using the finite element method. By optimizing the proposed structure, the band gap is obviously transferred to the low frequency. The propagation characteristics of elastic waves with a specific frequency on the passband in the proposed structure are studied. Finally, the calculated band gap frequency range is compared with the finite element simulation results, and the two correspond perfectly. The research shows that the proposed structure has a good bandgap frequency range, which can play a good role in suppressing vibration transmission, and by improving the chiral structure of the basic four ligaments, the bandgap frequency range of the structure can be transferred from a high frequency to low frequency, which provides ideological guidance and scheme for the structural design of metamaterial that suppress low-frequency waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of bacteriophages is experiencing a resurgence with the increasing development of antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. Nonetheless, the genetic features of highly efficient lytic S. aureus phage remain to be explored. In this study, two lytic S. aureus phages, SapYZU11 and SapYZU15, were isolated from sewage samples from Yangzhou, China. The phage morphology, one-step growth, host spectrum and lytic activity of these phages were examined, and their whole-genome sequences were analysed and compared with 280 published genomes of staphylococcal phages. The structural organisation and genetic contents of SapYZU11 and SapYZU15 were investigated. The Podoviridae phage SapYZU11 and Herelleviridae phage SapYZU15 effectively lysed all of the 53 S. aureus strains isolated from various sources. However, SapYZU15 exhibited a shorter latent period, larger burst size and stronger bactericidal ability with an anti-bacterial rate of approximately 99.9999% for 24 h. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Herelleviridae phages formed the most ancestral clades and the S. aureus Podoviridae phages were clustered in the staphylococcal Siphoviridae phage clade. Moreover, phages in different morphology families contain distinct types of genes associated with host cell lysis, DNA packaging and lysogeny. Notably, SapYZU15 harboured 13 DNA metabolism-related genes, 5 lysin genes, 1 holin gene and 1 DNA packaging gene. The data suggest that S. aureus Podoviridae and Siphoviridae phages originated from staphylococcal Herelleviridae phages, and the module exchange of S. aureus phages occurred in the same morphology family. Moreover, the extraordinary lytic capacity of SapYZU15 was likely due to the presence of specific genes associated with DNA replication, DNA packaging and the lytic cycle. ● SapYZU15 exhibited broad host range and high lytic capacity. ● S. aureus phages originated from staphylococcal Herelleviridae phages. ● The module exchange of S. aureus phages occurred in the same morphology family. ● The lytic capacity of SapYZU15 was due to the presence of specific functional genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The two circular structures with local resonance resonant hammers proposed in this paper have the comprehensive performance of small size, easy fabrication and low frequency vibration and sound damping. In the study, Bloch’s theorem is used to calculate the energy band curves of the two structures and to analyze the vibration forms of the structures at the edge of the band gap. At the same time, the integrated analysis means of phase constant surface, group velocity and phase velocity are innovatively used to explore the real propagation path of waves and provide experience for topology optimization. The position of resonant hammers, the mirror symmetry structure and the size of resonant hammers are adjusted to optimize the band gap for both structures. Finally, the vibration transmission characteristics of the finite period structure are calculated to verify the band gap and evaluate the vibration isolation performance. The results show that the new structure has low-frequency noise reduction performance, and the band gap frequency can be further reduced by topology optimization. This study presents an innovative approach for achieving low-frequency noise reduction, analysis of wave propagation paths and lightweight design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the stochastic second-order cone complementarity problems (SSOCCP). We first formulate the SSOCCP contained expectation as an optimization problem using the so-called second-order cone complementarity function. We then use sample average approximation method and smoothing technique to obtain the approximation problems for solving this reformulation. In theory, we show that any accumulation point of the global optimal solutions or stationary points of the approximation problems are global optimal solution or stationary point of the original problem under suitable conditions. Finally, some numerical examples are given to explain that the proposed methods are feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Sir2 family proteins are highly conserved and catalyze Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD + )-dependent protein deacetylation reaction that regulates multiple cellular processes. Little is known about Sir2 family proteins in Giardia . In this research, Sir2 homologs of Giardia were Phylogenetically analyzed. GL50803_10707 (GlSIR2.2) showed strong homology to SIRT1 and was the only parasite SIRT1 homolog being reported to date. Recombinant GlSIR2.2 (rGlSIR2.2) was expressed and purified. The renaturied recombinant protein showed a typical NAD-dependent protein deacetylase activity that could be inhibited by nicotinamide, with IC 50 of 4.47 mM rGlSIR2.2 displayed deacetylase activity under varied NAD + , with K m , k cat and k cat /K m values of 31.71 μM, 1.4 × 10 −3 s −1 , and 4.42 × 10 −5 μM −1 s −1 . Similarly, the steady-state kinetic parameters with varied ZMAL, yielded K m , k cat and k cat /K m values of 96.89 μM, 4.7 × 10 −3 s −1 , and 4.85 × 10 −5 μM −1 s −1 . Anti-rGlSIR2.2 serum was used to probe subcellular localization of GlSIR2.2 and strong staining was found predominantly in the nucleus. So we demonstrated that GlSIR2.2 was a SIRT1-like, nuclear-located, NAD + -dependent deacetylase. This is the first report of deacetylase activity of Sir2 family protein in Giardia . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we analyzed the chemical properties and factors impacting the sea fog water during two sea fog events over the northwestern South China Sea in March 2017, and compared our results with those of other regions. The sea fog water during these two events were highly acidic and their average pH was below 3, which was related to the high initial acidifying potential and large amounts of NO3- and SO42- not involved in the neutralization reaction. The dominant cations in the sea fog water were Na+ and NH4+. The primary anions in the sea fog water over the South China Sea were Cl- and NO3-, while that over the North Pacific Ocean was mainly SO42-, and ratios of the three fog water ions near the Donghai Island were similar. Ions in the sea fog water during the two events were mainly derived from marine aerosols, while the difference was that the first low-level sea fog airflow trajectory passed over Hainan Island. Therefore, the proportion of K+ in the first sea fog was much higher than that in sea water and the second. Sulfate was the key to fog water nucleation, which made ion concentration in the sea fog water during the second event higher than that during the first. A decrease in average diameter during the first sea fog formation led to an ion concentration increase, while the average diameter of sea fog water during the second event was lower than that during the first, which corresponded with a moderate ion concentration increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the use of microalgal swimming behavior as a sensor signal integrated into microfluidics for a rapid and high-throughput determination of pollutant toxicity. There are two types of chip. A poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) 12-well chip, used for optimization of experimental conditions (i.e. light level, temperature, initial cellular density and exposure time), can perform twelve parallel tests simultaneously. In a concentration gradient generator (CGG) chip, a CGG connected with diffusible chambers enables a large number of dose–response bioassays to be performed in a simple way. Microalgal swimming was set as a microfluidic bioassay signal and was evaluated as swimming manner, motile percentage (%MOT), curvilinear velocity (VCL), average path velocity (VAP) and straight line velocity (VSL). Under optimized physical conditions, the toxicities of Cu, Pb, phenol and nonylphenol (NP) towards four mobile marine microalgae, Platymonas subcordiformis, Platymonas helgolandica var. tsingtaoensis, Isochrysis galbana and Isochrysis zhanjiangensis sp. nov, were investigated. In all cases, a toxic response (i.e. a dose-related inhibition of swimming) was detected, and a time of only 2 h was needed to predict EC50 values. The 2h-EC50s showed that I. galbana was the most tolerant and that P. subcordiformis was one of the most sensitive. Based on the relative motile percentage data, the EC50 values for Cu of I. galbana and P. subcordiformis were 6.04 and 1.67 μM, respectively, while for Pb the EC50 values were 15.30 and 3.87 μM, for phenol the EC50 values were 8.69 and 6.08 mM, and for NP the EC50 values were 29.65 and 14.47 μM, respectively. Taking into account all the swimming inhibition parameters, MOT provided more sensitive EC results. The sensitivity differences between the velocity parameters (VCL, VAP and VSL) were ascribed to differences in swimming manner of the different classes of microalgae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The silicon carbide whose surface had been modified by laser cladding silicon layer was soldered by borosilicate glass. And the borosilicate glass solder had a thermal expansion coefficient similar to that of the silicon carbide substrate. The laser cladding silicon layer significantly improved the wettability between molten glass solder and silicon carbide and could reduce the soldering temperature. A sandwich-like joining structure (SiC/Si/solder/Si/SiC) was made after the borosilicate glass slurry put on the laser cladding silicon layers. The microstructure, compositions, and interfacial properties were studied. Results showed that good adhesion between silicon carbide and the glass soldering layer was achieved. The flexural strength of the connection structure prepared at 900 °C in the air reached 110 MPa. This research provides an effective technical solution for realizing local heat treatment soldering of large silicon carbide components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An amorphous silica coating was prepared on graphite substrate by laser cladding to improve the ablation resistance using a silicon interlayer as a transition layer. The laser cladding processes were carried out in the air atmosphere, which can simplify production conditions. The amorphous silica coating is uniform and dense, combining well with the graphite substrate. There is no obvious boundary between the silicon transition layer and the silica coating. Ablation test demonstrates that the silica coating has excellent performance compared to the uncoated graphite, and the silica-coated graphite has a weight loss of 2.17% after 80 min. After the ablation test, the silica coating still has a uniform and dense microtopography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many endogenous plasmids carry no noticeable benefits for their bacterial hosts, and the persistence of these 'cryptic plasmids' and their functional impacts are mostly unclear. In this study, we investigated these uncertainties using the social bacterium Myxococcus fulvus 124B02 and its endogenous plasmid pMF1. pMF1 possesses diverse genes that originated from myxobacteria, suggesting a longstanding co-existence of the plasmid with various myxobacterial species. The curing of pMF1 from 124B02 had almost no phenotypic effects on the host. Laboratory evolution experiments showed that the 124B02 strain retained pMF1 when subcultured on dead Escherichia coli cells but lost pMF1 when subcultured on living E. coli cells or on casitone medium; these results indicated that the persistence of pMF1 in 124B02 was environment-dependent. Curing pMF1 caused the mutant to lose the ability to predate and develop fruiting bodies more quickly than the pMF1-containing strain after they were subcultured on dead E. coli cells, which indicated that the presence of pMF1 in M. fulvus 124B02 has some long-term effects on its host. The results provide some new insights into the persistence and impacts of cryptic plasmids in their natural bacterial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Three different star-shaped hybrid metamaterials with multiple broadband gaps are proposed and compared. • The band gap structure and wave control characteristics of the proposed structure are studied using finite element analysis. • It is found that changing the connecting ligaments of the star structure is of great significance for realizing the low-frequency band gap. • The total width of the bandgap frequency of the proposed structure can reach 54.643% in the frequency range of 1000 Hz. Metamaterials with low-frequency band gap have always been the focus of research. For this reason, many researchers have proposed many structural design schemes. In this paper, an innovative star-shaped hybrid metamaterial structure is proposed. Based on Bloch's theorem and finite element method, a dynamic model of the proposed structure is established, the band gap characteristics of the proposed structure are analyzed, and the generation mechanism of band gap is discussed with the mode shape of specific frequency. Then, the propagation characteristics of elastic wave in the proposed structure are analyzed by using the dispersion surface and group velocity images, and the attenuation region of vibration transmission in the finite periodic structure is consistent with the frequency range of band gap. Finally, the relationship between band gap and structure parameters is explored. The results show that the proposed structure has good band gap characteristics in the frequency range of 1000 Hz, the lowest frequency of band gap reaches 60.207 Hz, and the total band gap width accounts for 54.463%. This research opens up an ideological route for the design of low frequency metamaterial structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new class of multi-ligament derived structures is proposed. Based on the finite element method and Bloch's theorem, the bandgap characteristics and transmission properties of different derived structures are comprehensively analyzed, and the bandgap opening and closing mechanism and the vibration and noise reduction capability of the structure are explained by stress cloud diagrams and vibration modes. Then, a better bandgap is obtained by structural optimization and active frequency modulation. Finally, the propagation characteristics of elastic waves in different derived structures are investigated separately. The results show that the multi-ligament derived structure has excellent bandgap performance and can obtain better vibration and noise reduction capability through bandgap adjustment and active strain modulation, which greatly improves its engineering practicality. The comprehensive analysis of wave propagation in this paper provides a theoretical basis and technical means for the improvement and design of metamaterials. [Display omitted] • Bloch's theorem for explaining the band gap of graded maze structure. • Applying active strain to probe the band gap tunability of a structure. • Evaluation of vibration attenuation by transfer function and stress cloud map. • Analysis by group and phase velocity, iso-frequency and wave propagation maps. • Probing the band gap opening mechanism by single cell vibration modal analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The association between RLS and migraine is still debated. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence and grade of RLS in Chinese patients with migraine and to evaluate the relationship between RLS and migraine. Methods A multi-center case-control study of contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler was conducted in 931 consecutive patients with migraine (240 of 931 had migraine with aura and 691 of 931 were in the migraine without aura group) and 282 were healthy adults. Clinical trial no. NCT02425696. Results The prevalence of RLS was 63.8% and 39.9% in the migraine with aura group (MA+) and migraine without aura group (MA-), respectively, significantly higher than that of the healthy group (29.4%, p < 0.001; p < 0.001). The positive rate of large RLS in the MA+ group and MA- group was 32.1% and 16.5%, respectively, significantly higher than healthy group (6.4%, p < 0.001; p < 0.001). There was no difference among groups in terms of positive rate of permanent RLS ( p = 0.704). Conclusion This multi-centre case-control study suggested that there is an association between RLS and migraine with and without aura, especially when the shunt is large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Migraine is considered as a risk factor for subclinical brain ischemic lesions, and right-to-left shunt (RLS) is more common among migraineurs. This cross-sectional study assessed the association of RLS with the increased prevalence of subclinical ischemic brain lesions in migraineurs.Methods: We enrolled 334 migraineurs from a multicentre study from June 2015 to August 2016. Participants were all evaluated using contrast-enhanced transcranial Doppler, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and completed a questionnaire covering demographics, the main risk factors of vascular disease, and migraine status. RLS was classified into four grades (Grade 0 = Negative; Grade I = 1 ≤ microbubbles (MBs) ≤ 10; Grade II = MBs > 10 and no curtain; Grade III = curtain). Silent brain ischemic infarctions (SBI) and white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) were evaluated on MRI.Results: We found no significant differences between migraineurs with RLS and migraineurs without RLS in subclinical ischemic brain lesions.SBI and WMHs did not increase with the size of the RLS(p for trend for SBI = 0.066, p for trend for WMHs = 0.543). Furthermore, curtain RLS in migraineurs was a risk factor for the presence of SBI (p = 0.032, OR = 3.47; 95%CI: 1.12-10.76). There was no association between RLS and the presence of WMHs.Conclusion: Overall, RLS is not associated with increased SBI or WMHs in migraineurs. However, when RLS is present as a curtain pattern, it is likely to be a risk factor for SBIs in migraineurs.Trial Registration: No. NCT02425696 ; registered on April 21, 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chiral metamaterials have been well applied in engineering applications, but the chiral structure of a single material is difficult to achieve low-frequency sound insulation or vibration reduction. Therefore, a new chiral lattice structure is proposed in this paper. Based on the Bloch's theorem, finite element analysis is carried out, and the energy band structures of different types of structures are calculated. The principle of band gap generation of Model No.1 is emphatically analyzed. The effect of geometric parameters on the band gap is discussed. In addition, the propagation characteristics of elastic waves with a specific frequency in the structure are explored. Finally, according to the corresponding relationship between the finite element simulation of vibration transmission in finite period structures and the band gap frequency range, it is verified that the structure can effectively restrain the vibration transmission. The research results show that the structure has excellent broadband gap performance in the frequency range of 3000 Hz, and has a certain filtering effect on vibration transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a new graded maze metamaterial with a single phase is proposed. Based on the finite element method and Bloch's theorem, the bandgap characteristics of graded maze structures in different regions are analyzed, and the mechanism of bandgap opening and closing is explored by vibration patterns. Subsequently, the mechanism of elastic wave propagation within different structures is comprehensively analyzed from four perspectives, such as group velocity and phase velocity. And the damping performance is further verified by frequency response spectra. The results show that the new structure has excellent low-frequency bandgap and damping performance, the local resonance of the graded maze plays an important role in the expansion of the bandgap, and there is directionality and regionality of wave propagation within the structure. This paper provides a new idea for wave propagation control and analysis, and low frequency damping of single-phase materials. • Low frequency bandgap generation through area grading. •Verification of bandgap and noise reduction performance by transfer function. •Analysis by group and phase velocity, iso-frequency and wave propagation maps. •Probing the bandgap opening mechanism by single cell vibration modal analysis. •Evaluation of vibration attenuation capacity with frequency-specific stress clouds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fowl typhoid is an important disease of chickens and turkeys, which is caused by Salmonella Gallinarum (S. Gallinarum). Vaccines with high levels of protective effects against fowl typhoid need to be developed for the poultry industry. In this study, a S. Gallinarum strain, named SG01, was isolated from a poultry farm in Mashan region of Wuxi City, China, and identified through biochemical tests and specific PCR amplifications. Then, safety evaluations of the SG01 strain were performed in young chickens. No clinical symptom including depression and diarrhea and gross lesion involved in the cardiac nodule, hepatic necrotic lesion and splenic necrotic lesion, was determined on fifteen-day-old chickens after immunization with 1 × 1010 CFU of the SG01 strain through the oral route. However, diarrhea symptoms and hepatic lesions were identified from chickens immunized with the commercial vaccine strain SG9R by the same dose and route. At 14 days post inoculation, SG01 strain was eliminated in the liver and spleen from SG01-immunized chickens, while the SG9R strain still could be identified from SG9R-immunized chickens. After challenge with the virulent S. Gallinarum strain, significant reduction of the morbidity rate was found in the SG01 immunized group (20 %) compared to the challenge group (100 %) according to signs scoring systems for clinical symptoms and gross lesions. Additionally, immunization with the SG01 strain could provide more than 8 weeks of protection periods against fowl typhoid. These results demonstrate the SG01 strain is avirulent to young chickens and might be safer compared to the SG9R strain. In addition, SG01 strain is a potential vaccine candidate against fowl typhoid in young chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanism diagram. Through the structural design at the molecular level, the ECL-COF with electrocatalytic performance and excellent electronic structure was obtained, which display an adjustable easily potential ECL platform. Meanwhile, the advanced COF'ECL platform was developed for accurate monitoring of Lu3+, indicating the inestimable application potential of COFs in environment field. [Display omitted] • The azine-linked COFs are prepared for precise ECL performance regulation. • COFs display decrease of reduction potential and increase of intensity in ECL. • Introducing nitrogen into COFs bring electrocatalysis for ECL enhancement. • COFs show efficiently carrier transport for improving ECL. • A novel COF-ECL platform is structured for Lu3+ detection. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as a novel class of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) materials on account of its highly tunable structure and versatile properties. However, decoding the ECL property and its luminophor structure to improve the luminous performance remains challenging, which hinders its deeper development and wider application. Herein, by condensing triphenylarene aldehydes with varying number of nitrogen atoms with 2,4,6-trimethylbenzene-1,3,5-tricarbonitrile, a series of COFs were prepared to regulate the ECL potential, opening up a new way to precisely improve ECL performance. The electron and spatial changes in the precursor are transferred to the generated COFs skeleton, resulting in a progressively decrease in the reduction potential and a gradual increase intensity in ECL with the precise increase of nitrogen content in the skeleton. Introduction of nitrogen into COFs brings electrocatalysis and planarization of the framework for more efficiently carrier transport. The conclusion is confirmed by optical, electrical tests, as well as density functional theory calculations. As a proof-of-methodology, an ECL method was developed for the selective determination of lutetium ion with a detection limit as low as 1.6 nM (S/N = 3). This work exhibits that the advanced potential-tunable ECL-COFs can be obtained accurately and easily through design structure at the molecular level, which is expected to promote the exploration of the relationship between ECL potential and framework structure, and further apply to environment-related sensing analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myxobacteria, phylogenetically located in the delta division of the Proteobacteria, are well known for characterized social behaviors and large genomes of more than 9 Mb in size. Myxococcus fulvus is a typical species of the genus Myxococcus in the family Myxococcaceae. M. fulvus 124B02, originally isolated from a soil sample collected in Northeast China, is the one and only presently known myxobacterial strain that harbors an endogenous autonomously replicating plasmid, named pMF1. The endogenous plasmid is of importance for understanding the genome evolution of myxobacteria, as well as for the development of genetic engineering tools in myxobacteria. Here we describe the complete genome sequence of this organism. M. fulvus 124B02 consists of a circular chromosome with a total length of 11,048,835 bp and a circular plasmid of 18,634 bp. Comparative genomic analyses suggest that pMF1 has a longstanding sustention within myxobacteria, and probably contributes to the genome expansion of myxobacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] We develop a microfluidic device for G. lamblia culture in toxicity testing. [•] We validated G. lamblia culture in microfluidics. [•] Using the device, G. lamblia were successfully stressed on-chip. [•] Dose–response experiment can be performed in a simple and reagent-saving way. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report the first example of covalent organic framework (DHBD-TMT) linked by unsubstituted olefin-linkages for selective loading, chemical reduction and photocatalytic reduction of uranium. The unique structures of DHBD-TMT possess all the characteristics to be well suited as a capture platform for selective ligand complexation, efficient chemical reduction and photocatalytic reduction of uranium, thus exhibiting a groundbreaking uranium capture capacity (2640.8 mg g-1). [Display omitted] • Covalent organic framework (DHBD-TMT) as a uranium adsorbent through three synergistic mechanisms. • This is the first example of covalent organic framework for selective adsorption, chemical reduction and photocatalytic reduction of uranium. • DHBD-TMT is very suitable as a capture platform for selective ligand complexation, efficient chemical reduction and photocatalytic reduction of uranium. • DHBD-TMT exhibited a groundbreaking uranium capture capacity. Herein, we report the first example of covalent organic framework (DHBD-TMT) linked by unsubstituted olefin-linkages for selective loading, chemical reduction and photocatalytic reduction of uranium. The unique structures of DHBD-TMT possess all the characteristics to be well suited as a capture platform for selective ligand complexation, efficient chemical reduction and photocatalytic reduction of uranium, thus exhibiting a groundbreaking uranium capture capacity (2640.8 mg g-1). In the dark, DHBD-TMT can effectively adsorb uranium through the hydroxyl groups laced on the skeleton and reduce UVI to UIV in situ, leading to a higher adsorption capacity and selectivity of uranium. At the same time, the synergistic effect of the hydroquinone and triazine units in the extended π-conjugated skeleton significantly improve the photocatalytic activity of DHBD-TMT, and an additional UVI photocatalytic reduction mechanism can occur under visible light irradiation, allowing significantly higher the capacity and faster adsorption kinetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamatergic dysregulation has served as one common pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) and a promising target for treatment intervention. Previous studies implicate neurotransmission via metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) and Homer1 in stress-induced anhedonia, but the mechanisms have not been well elucidated. In the present study, we used two different animal models of depression, chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) and chronic restraint stress (CRS), to investigate the expression of Homer1 isoforms and functional interaction with mGluRs. We found that chronic stress selectively upregulated the expression of Homer1b/c in the hippocampus, whereas the level of Homer1a was unchanged. Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between the levels of Homer1-mGluR5 signaling and depressive-like behaviors. Both application of paired-pulse low-frequency stimulation (PP-LFS) and the selective group 1 mGluRs agonist (RS)-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) significantly enhanced mGluR-dependent long-term depression (LTD) at CA3-CA1 pyramidal cell synapses in slices from susceptible mice, whereas there was no change in NMDAR-dependent LTD induced by LFS. Furthermore, these effects were associated with the internalization of surface AMPARs in hippocampal pyramidal neurons, including reduced the expression of AMPARs and amplitude of AMPARs-mediated mEPSC. Finally, we found that chronic stress activated the KR-like ER kinase-eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (PERK-eIF2α) signaling pathway, subsequently phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) at the S129 and reduced the BDNF level, eventually leading to the impairment of synaptic transmission and depressive-like behaviors. Therefore, our study suggests that PERK-eIF2α acts as a critical target downstream of Homer1-mGluR5 complex to mediate chronic stress-induced depressive-like behaviors, and highlights them as a potential target for the treatment of mood disorder. • Chronic stress increases Homer1-mGluR5 levels in the hippocampus of mice. • CSDS enhances hippocampal mGluR-dependent long-term depression (mGluR-LTD) via the internalization of surface AMPARs. • PKR-like ER kinase (PERK)-eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) phosphorylation facilitates mGluR-LTD induced by CSDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]