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[Display omitted] Eutectic growth process is usually characterized by the simultaneous coupled growth of two different solids within one uniform liquid phase, while fluid dynamics normally predicts the equiaxed shrinkage for floating viscous droplets on freezing. Here a decoupling effect was induced by the microgravity and containerless states aboard space station, which led to the independent dendrite growth of two eutectic phases within extremely undercooled liquid Nb-Si refractory alloy. The confronting fluid flow pattern driven by polar heterogeneous nucleation was found to stimulate the elongated surface deformation of alloy droplet at a high dendrite growth velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incompleteness and lack of bearing fault data have become important problems in bearing fault diagnosis. This paper presents an intelligent fault diagnosis method for rolling bearings based on a similarity clustering multi-channel convolution neural network with the hierarchical branch (HB-SC-MCCNN). First, the relevant features are extracted by MCCNN, and combined with the similarity clustering principle, the accurate binary classification is realized in the case of insufficient labeled data. Second, the similarity clustering module and additional loss are added to the SC-MCCNN network to form a hierarchical-branch network, which simplifies the problem of fault multi-classification into binary classification with multiple steps, and to reduces the dependence on the amount of label data in multi-classification. Finally, based on the self-learning characteristics of HB-SC-MCCNN, the unlabeled data and the missing fault types in the training set are re-labeled to realize the re-training of the network. On the benchmark dataset, the comparison experiment results with several salient deep learning models show that the method proposed in this paper successfully realizes the hierarchical diagnosis of bearing faults and presents more substantial competitiveness in the case of insufficient labeled data and missing fault types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence of an association between acute air pollution exposure and lung function in the elderly is limited. This study is cross-sectional. We quantified the effects of air pollution exposure on lung function among 256 elderly by using a linear mixed model. The results revealed that air pollutants had lag effects on lung function after adjusting for confounders. PM2.5 (Lag03, Lag 03 was defined three-day moving average, and so forth), PM10, NO2 (Lag04-Lag05) were significantly associated with reduced FEV1. PM2.5 (Lag01-Lag02), PM10 (Lag0-Lag07), NO2 (Lag0, Lag04), and SO2 (Lag0) were significantly associated with reduced Forced vital capacity (FVC). PM2.5 (Lag04-Lag07) and NO2 (Lag01-Lag07) were significantly associated with reduced FEF25%–75%. The results showed the adverse change was stronger after adjusting for other pollutants in the PM models, and women were more susceptible to air pollutants. Therefore, we should pay attention to the problem of air pollution in the elderly, especially in women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three frequently encountered problems—a variety of fault types, data with insufficient labels, and missing fault types—are the common challenges in the early fault diagnosis of space flywheel rotor systems. Focusing on the above issues, this paper proposes an intelligent early fault diagnosis method based on the multi-channel convolutional neural network with hierarchical branch and similarity clustering (HB-SC-MCCNN). First, a similarity clustering (SC) method is integrated into the parameter-shared dual MCCNN architecture to set up as the basic structural block. The hierarchical branch model and additional loss are then added to SC-MCCNN to form a hierarchical branch network, which simplifies the problem of fault multi-classification into binary classification with multi-steps. Based on the self-learning characteristics of the proposed model, the unlabeled data and the missing fault types in the training set are re-labeled to realize the re-training of the network. The results of the experiments for comparing the abilities between the proposed method and several advanced deep learning models confirm that on the established early fault dataset of the space flywheel rotor system, the proposed method successfully achieves the hierarchical diagnosis and presents stronger competitiveness in the case of insufficient labeled data and missing fault types at the same time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The second generation (2 G) biofuels were introduced to solve the issues associated with first-generation biofuel (dependency on food materials) and fossil fuels, such as reservoirs diminution, high demand, price fluctuation, and lethal greenhouse gases emission. Butanol and ethanol are the main 2 G biofuels. They are used as a disinfectant, antiseptic, and chemical solvent in the pharmaceutical, plastic, textiles, cosmetics, and fuel industries. Currently, their bacterial biological production from lignocellulosic material at the industrial level with primitive microorganisms is under development and not economical and qualitative compatible as compared to that of fossil origin, due to the slow growth rate, low titer, recalcitrant nature of lignocellulose, strain intolerance to a higher amount of butanol and ethanol, and strain inability to tolerate inhibitors accumulated during pretreatment of lignocellulosic materials. Therefore, metabolic engineering strategies such as redirection of carbon flux, knocking out competing pathways, enhancing strain robustness and wide range of substrate utilization ability, and overexpression of enzymes involved in their biological synthesis have been applied to bacteria for enhancing their ability for 2 G ethanol and butanol production in a highly cost-effective amount from lignocellulosic materials. Herein, we summarized and reviewed the progress in metabolic engineering of bacterial species such as Clostridium spp, Escherichia coli , and Zymomonas mobilis for the synthesis of 2 G butanol and ethanol, especially from lignocellulosic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon impurity as point defects makes key impact on the leakage in GaN-on-Si structures. GaN-based epitaxial layers with different point defects by changing carbon-doped concentration were used to investigate the point defects behavior. It was found that leakage mechanisms correspond with space-charge-limited current models at low voltages, and after 1st kink, electron injection from silicon to GaN and PF conduction play a key role in the leakage of both point defects case with low carbon and high carbon doped. In addition, high carbon in GaN-on-Si epitaxial layers obtained lower leakage and larger breakdown voltage. The slope of log J â€" V has two kinks and effective energy barrier E a has two peaks, 0.4247 eV at about 300 V and 0.3485 eV at about 900 V, respectively, which is related to accepted states and donor states related with carbon impurity. While the slope of log J â€" V has one kink and effective energy barrier E a has one peak, 0.4794 eV at about 400 V of low carbon in GaN-on-Si epitaxial layers, indicating only field-induced accepted ionized makes impact on leakage. The comparative results of more donor trap density in high carbon indicate point defects related with carbon impurity play a key role in the kinks of log J â€" V slope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field-reversed configuration (FRC) is a compact toroidal plasma system related to the research of alternative fusion reactors. Improving the FRC formation, which is critical to the improvement of its overall quality, is reported in this paper by using a plasma gun to assist the pre-ionization process. For the single-translated FRC, the poloidal magnetic flux increases around 30%, accompanied by an increase in the separatrix radius and plasma density, while its translation speed is found to decrease slightly. The estimated increase in particle inventory is more than 60%. The improvement of these parameters also extends the lifetime of the FRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermoelectric effects in quantum systems have been focused in recent years. Thermoelectric energy conversion study of systems with edge states, such as quantum Hall insulators and quantum spin Hall insulators, is one of the most important frontier topics in material science and condensed-matter physics. Based on the previous paper (Gresta in Phys Rev Lett 123:186801, 2019), we further investigated the linear and nonlinear thermoelectric transport properties of helical edge states of the quantum spin Hall insulators coupled with double nanomagnet, calculated the Seebeck coefficients S c and the thermoelectrical figure of merit ZT, discussed the influence of the length of the nanomagnet and the relative tilt angle of component of the magnetization perpendicular on the thermoelectric coefficients ( S c and ZT), and summarized some meaningful conclusions in the linear response regime. In the nonlinear regime, we calculated the equivalent figure of merit Z T M and the power-generation efficiency η in different length of the nanomagnet, obtain the temperature difference of achieving optimal thermoelectricity. The results of this paper further confirm that the setup can indeed be used as a device for achieving high performance thermoelectric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Mosses harbor fungi whose interactions within their hosts remain largely unexplored. Trophic ranges of fungal endophytes from the moss Dicranum scoparium were hypothesized to encompass saprotrophism. This moss is an ideal host to study fungal trophic lability because of its natural senescence gradient, and because it can be grown axenically.Dicranum scoparium was co‐cultured with each of eight endophytic fungi isolated from naturally occurring D. scoparium. Moss growth rates, and gene expression levels (RNA sequencing) of fungi and D. scoparium, were compared between axenic and co‐culture treatments. Functional lability of two fungal endophytes was tested by comparing their RNA expression levels when colonizing living vs dead gametophytes.Growth rates of D. scoparium were unchanged, or increased, when in co‐culture. One fungal isolate (Hyaloscyphaceae sp.) that promoted moss growth was associated with differential expression of auxin‐related genes. When grown with living vs dead gametophytes, Coniochaeta sp. switched from having upregulated carbohydrate transporter activity to upregulated oxidation‐based degradation, suggesting an endophytism to saprotrophism transition. However, no such transition was detected for Hyaloscyphaceae sp.Individually, fungal endophytes did not negatively impact growth rates of D. scoparium. Our results support the long‐standing hypothesis that some fungal endophytes can switch to saprotrophism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose is to analyze the longitudinal association between social support inside and outside the family and depression and the differences between urban and rural areas. Methods: A total of 11,150 respondents were included from Harmonized China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (Harmonized CHARLS). The baseline data and the subsequent two surveys were used to describe the basic characteristics and social support in the urban and rural. The growth curve model was used to analyse the longitudinal association between social support inside and outside the family and depression. Results: People participating in social activities were less likely to suffer from depression while those who had public transfer were more likely to suffer from depression. Respondents who had weekly contact with their children were less likely to suffer from depression. Respondents with larger families were also less likely to suffer from depression, but this effect was significant in rural. As time changes, the association between social activities and depression does not change significantly, only public transfer and family size show a gradually weakening impact on depression in rural areas. The association between the contact with children and depression scores weakens in rural areas but increases in urban areas. Conclusions: Future dynamic intervention for depression can include holding various beneficial social activities, carrying forward the filial piety culture and improving the level of rural social welfare, protecting the excellent traditional culture, and providing public services for rural special families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

JAK inhibition is a new strategy for treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Previous studies have shown the immunoregulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Cynara scolymus and suggest that the bioactivity of their phenolic acids involves the JAK-STAT pathway, but it is unclear whether these effects occur through JAK inhibition. The JAK binding affinities obtained by docking Rosmarinic acid (RosA), Salvianolic acid A (SalA), Salvianolic acid C (SalC), Lithospermic acid, Salvianolic acid B and Cynarin (CY) to JAK (PDB: 6DBN) with AutoDock Vina are −8.8, −9.8, −10.7, −10.0, −10.3 and −9.7 kcal/mol, respectively. Their predicted configurations enable hydrogen bonding with the hinge region and N- and C-terminal lobes of the JAK kinase domain. The benzofuran core of SalC, the compound with the greatest binding affinity, sits near Leu959, such as Tofacitinib's pyrrolopyrimidine. A SalC derivative with a binding affinity of −12.2 kcal/mol was designed while maintaining this relationship. The docking results show follow-up studies of these phenolic acids as JAK inhibitors may be indicated. Furthermore, derivatives of SalC, RosA, CY and SalA can yield better binding affinity or bioavailability scores, indicating that their structures may be suitable as scaffolds for the design of new JAK inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis) is a parasite of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and crop rotation is commonly used for its management. One specific rotation system is a sod-based rotation, which uses two years of bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) followed by one year each of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) and cotton, versus a conventional peanut-cotton-cotton rotation. High population densities of reniform nematode are found below plow depth in the soil profile, yet conventional chemical management is often not able to manage these deeper populations, nor is much known about other plant parasites such as ring nematode (Mesocriconema ornatum) and spiral nematode (Helicotylenchus dihystera) at these deeper depths. Our study aimed to investigate how long-term cropping history (since 2000) affects the vertical spatial distribution of plant-parasitic (reniform, ring, and spiral) nematodes under different irrigation regimes. Between March 2017 and January 2019, soil samples were collected to a depth of 120 cm before planting, after harvest, and in the winter using a hydraulic probe. Nematode abundances (including enumeration of all reniform nematode life stages) were analyzed in 30 cm-sections. There were no significant effects of irrigation on nematode abundances (P > 0.05). In each sampling date, all reniform nematode abundances decreased stepwise as soil depth increased, but spiral and ring nematodes were nearly absent below 30 cm. Sod-based rotation generally reduced reniform nematode abundances at all depths compared with conventional rotation, although differences were more pronounced in the shallower depths (0–30 and 30–60 cm). Conversely, at 0–30 cm soil depth, ring nematode abundances were generally greatest in the peanut phase of sod-based rotation. Similarly, spiral nematode abundances, at 0–30 cm soil depth, were generally significantly greater in bahiagrass phases than other phases and variously greater in first-year cotton (sod-based or conventional). Overall, sod-based rotation helped manage reniform nematodes up to 120 cm deep in the soil profile. Sod-based rotation was detrimental for managing minor plant-parasitic nematodes spiral and ring nematodes, and those nematodes were scarce below 30 cm deep in the soil profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the design and synthesis of a series of proline-derived quinoline formamide compounds as human urate transporter 1 (URAT1) inhibitors via a ligand-based pharmacophore approach. Structure−activity relationship studies reveal that the replacement of the carboxyl group on the polar fragment with trifluoromethanesulfonamide and substituent modification at the 6-position of the quinoline ring greatly improve URAT1 inhibitory activity compared with lesinurad. Compounds 21c , 21e , 24b , 24c , and 23a exhibit potent activities against URAT1 with IC 50 values ranging from 0.052 to 0.56 μM. Furthermore, compound 23a displays improved selectivity towards organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1), good microsomal stability, low potential for genotoxicity and no inhibition of the hERG K+ channel. Compounds 21c and 23a , which have superior pharmacokinetic properties, also demonstrate significant uric acid-lowering activities in a mouse model of hyperuricemia. Notably, 21c also exhibits moderate anti-inflammatory activity related to the gout inflammatory pathway. Compounds 21c and 23a with superior druggability are potential candidates for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout. [Display omitted] • A series of proline-derived quinoline formamides as URAT1 inhibitors was identified. • Compounds 21c and 23a exhibit potent activities against URAT1. • Compound 21c and 23a display good druggability through ADME/T evaluation. • Compound 21c also exhibits moderate anti-inflammatory activity. • Compounds 21c and 23a demonstrate significant uric acid-lowering activities in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the core for the lubrication and operation of space ball bearing, the porous non-metallic cage with oil-impregnated will cause catastrophic results in case of fault. The principal used reasons for not realizing its early fault diagnosis are: vibration, temperature, and sound signals may not carry the early fault information, and the traditional models could not work effectively in the case of insufficient data samples. Aiming at the above problems, this paper first presents a visual cage motion test rig, which realizes the accurate acquisition of cage dynamic signals without changing the bearing structure. The early fault dataset of the space ball bearing cage is then provided, composed of the data sample including the dynamic signal with early fault information of the cage. Finally, a Similarity Clustering Two-Channel Convolutional Neural Network (SC-TCCNN) model, which integrates the similarity clustering method into the Double-TCCNN framework with parameter sharing, is proposed. The experimental results show that the method proposed realizes the intelligent diagnosis of cage early fault and shows more competitiveness than the traditional model in the case of insufficient training data samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of contact barrier height on performances of Si/BaSi2 p–n heterojunction, BaSi2 p–n homojunction and Si/BaSi2/Si p–i–n heterojunction were numerical calculated. Band energy diagram, built-in electric field, carrier generation and carrier transportation distributed in the devices are comprehensively investigated. BaSi2 p–n homojunction solar cells are very sensitive to front contact barrier height due to the high light absorption coefficient of front p-BaSi2 layer. Si/BaSi2 p–n heterojunction and BaSi2 p–n homojunction solar cells with donor concentration (N D) less than 1 0 1 7   cm − 3 are apparently affected by back contact barrier height. The ideal α -Si/BaSi2/ α -Si p–n solar cell achieves a high V oc of 1.131 V, suggesting a promising and alternative structure to gain excellent BaSi2-based solar cells once the Urbach tail states and defects can be effectively eliminated. The results help to fundamentally understand operation mechanism and provide intuitive guidance for achieving high-efficiency BaSi2 solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an essential element, zinc (Zn) can improve or inhibit the growth of plants depending on its concentrations. In this study, the effects of 24-Epibrassinolide (EBR), one well-known steroid phytohormone regulating plant growth and alleviating abiotic stress damage, on morphological parameters and antioxidant capacities of Sedum lineare were investigated under different Zn doses. Compared to plants only exposed to Zn, simultaneously foliar application of 0.75 μM EBR significantly improved multiple morphological characteristics and such growth-improving effects were more significant at high Zn concentrations. At a detrimental 800 μM Zn, EBR benefitted plant growth most prominently, as shown by that the stem length, fresh weight and internode length were increased by 111%, 85% and 157%, respectively; than Zn solely treated plants. EBR spray also enhanced both the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and the contents of antioxidative agents including ascorbic acid (AsA) and glutathione (GSH), which in turn decreased the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alleviated the lipid peroxidation in plants. Thus, by demonstrating that EBR could help S. lineare resist high-zinc stress through strengthening the antioxidant system, this work provided a new idea for expanding the planting range of Crassulaceae plants in heavy metal contaminated soil for phytoremediation purpose in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyse the trajectories of depression in urban and rural areas, and to analyse the relationship among multimorbidity, disability and other variables and trajectories. Methods: Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were used. A latent class growth model was used to characterise the trajectories of urban and rural depression symptoms. Chi-square test was used to test the differences in respondents' characteristics among depression trajectories groups within urban and rural areas. The relationships among multimorbidity, disability and depression symptom trajectories were analysed via multinomial logistic regression. Results: Urban and rural depression trajectories were divided into three categories. Respondents in urban areas were divided into rising, remaining-low and declining group, and those in rural areas were divided into rising, remaining-low and remaining-high group. The depression scores of respondents with multimorbidity were more likely to rise, and this result was similar for the disabled respondents. Respondents who need help on activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living in urban areas were more likely to decline in depression scores. In rural areas, however, the values were consistently high. In urban and rural areas, the relationships among marital status, education and age and depression trajectories were different. Conclusions: The depression trajectories are different in urban and rural China. Improving the quality of medical services, promoting the distribution of rural social resources and implementing more recreational activities could be beneficial for the promotion of mental health in rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis (AD), a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder, is marked by impaired skin barrier function and persistent pruritus. It significantly deteriorates patients' quality of life, making it one of the most burdensome non-lethal skin disorders. Filaggrin plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of barrier disruption in AD, interacting with inflammatory mediators. It is an integral part of the extracellular matrix architecture, serving to protect the skin barrier and attenuate the inflammatory cascade. In this study, we engineered a novel recombinant human filaggrin (rhFLA-10) expression vector, which was subsequently synthesized and purified. In vitro and ex vivo efficacy experiments were conducted for AD. rhFLA-10, at low concentrations (5 to 20 μg/mL), was non-toxic to HACaT cells, significantly inhibited the degranulation of P815 mast cells, and was readily absorbed by cells, thereby exerting a soothing therapeutic effect. Furthermore, rhFLA-10 demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties (p < 0.05). In vivo, efficacy experiments further substantiated that rhFLA-10 could effectively ameliorate AD in mice and facilitate the repair of damaged skin (p < 0.001). These findings underscore the considerable potential of rhFLA-10 in the treatment of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. It has been shown that podocyte injury represents an important pathological basis that contributes to proteinuria and eventually leads to kidney failure. High glucose (HG) activates macrophage polarization, further exacerbating HG-induced podocyte injury. Our previous study on diabetic nephropathy rats indicated that thalidomide (Tha) has renoprotective properties. The present study explored the effects of Tha on mRNA and protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, mannose receptor (CD206), and arginase- (Arg-) 1 in HG-activated macrophages. iNOS and TNF-α are established as markers of classically activated macrophage (M1). CD206 and Arg-1 are regarded as markers of alternatively activated macrophages (M2). During the experiment, the supernatants of (HG)-treated and (Tha)-treated macrophages, designated as (HG) MS and (Tha) MS, were simultaneously collected and processed. TNF-α and interleukin- (IL-) 1β levels as well as protein expressions of nephrin and podocin in HG, (HG) MS, and (Tha) MS-cultured podocytes were evaluated. The results showed that compared to the 11.1 mM normal glucose (NG), the 33.3 mM HG-cultured RAW 264.7 cells exhibited upregulated iNOS and TNF-α mRNAs and protein expressions, and downregulated CD206 and Arg-1 expressions significantly (p < 0.05). Tha 200 μg/ml suppressed iNOS and TNF-α, and promoted CD206 and Arg-1 expressions significantly compared to the HG group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, (HG) MS-treated podocytes showed an increase in TNF-α and IL-1β levels and a downregulation in nephrin and podocin expression significantly compared to NG-treated and HG-treated podocytes (p < 0.05). The (Tha 200 μg/ml) MS group exhibited a decrease in TNF-α and IL-1β level, and an upregulation in nephrin and podocin expressions significantly compared to the (HG) MS group (p < 0.05). Our research confirmed that HG-activated macrophage differentiation aggravates HG-induced podocyte injury in vitro and the protective effects of Tha might be related to its actions on TNF-α and IL-1β levels via its modulation on M1/M2 differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Fundamentally understanding the operation mechanisms of BaSi 2 based homojunction solar cells. • BaS 2 nip solar cell can achieve high efficiency of 24.22%. • High N D in n-BaSi 2 leads to increased hole trapping density. • High N A and thick thickness of p-BaSi 2 promotes V oc. • Thick p-BaSi 2 conquers the barrier height effect. Numerical calculation and theoretical study on high optical absorption material BaSi 2 based np or nip homojunction solar cells were conducted by using AMPS software. The effects of doping concentration and front layer thickness on the performance of n-BaSi 2 /p-BaSi 2 homojunciton solar cell were comprehensive investigated. It was found that the donor concentration and thickness of n-BaSi 2 had decisive influence on the light performance of n-BaSi 2 /p-BaSi 2 homojunciton solar cell, since high donor concentration in n-BaSi 2 gave rise to extremely high hole trapping concentration in n-BaSi 2 and thus reduced the hole current as well as total current density under light illumination. Consequently, the n-BaSi 2 layer was suggested to be designed either with low donor concentration or with thin thickness to achieve high power conversion efficiency. Same effect of n-BaSi 2 on the performance of nip homojucntion solar cell was also observed. Contrarily, the optimized p-BaSi 2 was suggested to possess high acceptor concentration and to be slightly thicker, in order to maintain the high built-in potential as well as V oc of nip homojunciton solar cell. On account of the front and rear contact barrier height between electrode and BaSi 2 functional layer, the barrier height between p-BaSi 2 and rear contact electrode had comparably more sensitive influence to attenuate the built-in potential and thus the V oc of BaSi 2 based nip the solar cell. However, this negative influence caused by high barrier height could be convincingly conquered by employing thick p-BaSi 2 layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silica‐supported ionic liquid Si–[SbSipim][PF6] as a catalyst was used first in the synthesis of polyhydroquinolines. The catalyst exhibits high catalytic activity in the reaction, and can be easily recovered and reused without significant loss of its activity for six runs. This green method offers several advantages, including high yield, short reaction time, simple work‐up procedure, ease of separation, and recyclability of the catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raman measurement was applied to investigate the carrier concentration distribution along the [0001] direction of single GaN microrod. By measuring the Raman shifts of longitudinal phonon-plasmon (LPP) modes at different locations, the carrier concentration distributions along the sidewall of the microrod were obtained in the [0001] direction. It was found that the carrier concentration at the bottom of the microrod was 9.07×1016 cm−3, which was higher than that at the top. Carrier concentration gradient existed along the growth direction of the microrod. This was mainly due to the uneven distribution of some donor impurities (eg: oxygen impurities) during the growth process. Furthermore, based on the E 2 high mode, the distributions of residual stress and crystal qualities were characterized along the [0001] direction. • The surface carrier concentration of [0001]-oriented GaN microrod was investigated by micro-Raman. • Carrier concentration gradient existed along the growth direction of the GaN microrod. • The stress distribution along the [0001] direction of the GaN microrod is relatively uniform than bulk materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• New rutting and moisture parameters supplement the HWT test result interpretation. • Rejuvenated mixes in this study outperformed the mixes with lower RAP content. • Rejuvenators may soften high RAP mixes and increase the stripping concern. • Higher HWT test temperature is recommended to discriminate the recycled mixes. Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) incorporating high Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) contents can potentially have good rutting resistance due to the higher stiffness of the aged RAP-binder. The use of rejuvenators to enhance the workability and performance of high RAP mixes is becoming a common practice. However, the impact of rejuvenators on the rutting resistance and moisture susceptibility of high RAP mixes has not been studied exhaustively. The Hamburg Wheel-Tracking (HWT) test was used in this study to evaluate the asphalt mixture performance in terms of their resistance to permanent deformation and moisture damage at two conditioning temperatures of 44℃ and 50℃. Highly recycled asphalt mixes containing 50% RAP were prepared with various bio-based rejuvenators and a soft binder to compare with a control mix with 20% RAP content. Different HWT data analysis methods were used to quantify the mix performance. The results indicated that the rejuvenated high RAP mixes showed increased rut depth and higher possibilities of stripping compared to the control mix and the 50% RAP mix without rejuvenators. Regardless of the rejuvenator type and dosage, both the control and the rejuvenated high RAP mixes experienced severe stripping due to the increase in testing temperature. The 50% RAP mix performed best at both test temperatures. Therefore, caution is warranted concerning the adverse effects of rejuvenators or soft binders on the rutting performance and moisture susceptibility of high RAP mixes. Furthermore, traditional HWT parameters could be misleading due to the confounding effects of post-compaction and moisture-induced deformation. Parameters developed by the novel HWT data analysis methods could separately evaluate the rutting resistance and moisture susceptibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel precision vibration measurement using differential phase-modulated homodyne interferometry is presented, in which an orthogonal linearly polarized laser source is constructed by using a DFB fiber laser and a fiber-coupled electro-optic phase modulator to improve the measurement range of amplitude and frequency. • The optical path drift and common-mode noise of the fiber can be differentially compensated by using an auxiliary monitoring signal. • By pre-scanning the wavelength of DFB laser, the ellipse fitting method can be realized to compensate the periodic nonlinearity of PGC demodulation without needing the object to move more than half a wavelength. A novel precision vibration measurement using differential phase-modulated homodyne interferometry is presented. The orthogonal linearly polarized phase-modulated single frequency laser source is constructed by using a distributed feedback (DFB) fiber laser and a fiber-coupled electro-optic phase modulator (EOM). An auxiliary monitoring signal is used to differentially compensate the optical path drift and common-mode noise of the fiber. By pre-scanning the wavelength of DFB laser to introduce enough phase changes, ellipse fitting can be realized without moving the object more than half a wavelength. Therefore, the periodic nonlinearity of the phase generated carrier (PGC) demodulation is compensated. Experimental setup was built and the real-time signal processing was realized based on field programmable gate array (FPGA). The experiments of pulse vibration, sinusoidal vibration and comparison with commercial laser vibrometer were performed to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. The experimental results show that the average deviation of vibration amplitude is about 0.97 nm in the frequency range of 0.5 kHz to 10.0 kHz, which indicates that the proposed method has significant application for precision vibration measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the effectiveness of a clinical reasoning teaching workshop (CRTW) in preceptors' teaching ability, self‐efficacy of clinical reasoning teaching. Background: Preceptors' teaching skills are crucial for training novice nurses. How to enhance preceptors' teaching ability is a pertinent concern in clinical practice. Methods: This study comprised two stages. At stage I, we administered a pre‐ to post‐test single group with 33 participants to investigate the changes in preceptors' knowledge and self‐efficacy in clinical reasoning teaching after clinical reasoning teaching workshop. At stage II, a quasi‐experimental design was adopted to assess the effectiveness of the clinical reasoning teaching workshop by comparing the preceptors' teaching ability by novice nurses. There were 22 nurses' preceptors who underwent the clinical reasoning teaching workshop and 70 nurses with preceptors who did not undergo clinical reasoning teaching workshop and matched with preceptors' age and working experience. Results: After clinical reasoning teaching workshop, preceptors' knowledge and self‐efficacy of clinical reasoning teaching ware increased significantly. Novice nurses (study group) scored their preceptors' teaching ability significantly higher than nurses' (control group). Conclusion: The clinical reasoning teaching workshop can enhance preceptors' teaching ability and confidence, thereby improving their teaching ability. Implications for Nursing Management: A well‐designed workshop with appropriated teaching method can allow preceptors to learn effectiveness. Clinical reasoning teaching workshop can be used in the training of preceptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Bryophytes harbour microbiomes, including diverse communities of fungi. The molecular mechanisms by which perennial mosses interact with these fungal partners along their senescence gradients are unknown, yet this is an ideal system to study variation in gene expression associated with trophic state transitions. We investigated differentially expressed genes of fungal communities and their host Dicranum scoparium across its naturally occurring senescence gradient using a metatranscriptomic approach. Higher activity of fungal nutrient‐related (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur) transporters and Carbohydrate‐Active enZyme (CAZy) genes was detected toward the bottom, partially decomposed, layer of the moss. The most prominent variation in the expression levels of fungal nutrient transporters was from inorganic nitrogen‐related transporters, whereas the breakdown of organonitrogens was detected as the most enriched gene ontology term for the host D. scoparium, for those transcripts having higher expression in the partially decomposed layer. The abundance of bacterial rRNA transcripts suggested that more living members of Cyanobacteria are associated with the photosynthetic layer of D. scoparium, while members of Rhizobiales are detected throughout the gametophytes. Plant genes for specific fungal–plant communication, including defense responses, were differentially expressed, suggesting that different genetic pathways are involved in plant‐microbe crosstalk in photosynthetic tissues compared to partially decomposed tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pheromone‐binding proteins (PBPs) are thought to bind and transport sex pheromones onto the olfactory receptors on the dendrite membrane of olfactory neurons, and thus play a vital role in sex pheromone perception. However, the function of PBPs has rarely been demonstrated in vivo. In this study, two PBPs (PBP1 and PBP3) of Chilo suppressalis, one of the most notorious pyralid pests, were in vivo functionally characterized using insects with the PBP gene knocked out by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. First, through direct injection of PBP‐single guide RNA (sgRNA)/Cas9 messenger RNA into newly laid eggs, a high rate of target‐gene editing (checked with polled eggs) was induced at 24 h after injection, 21.3% for PBP1‐sgRNA injected eggs and 19.5% for PBP3‐sgRNA injected eggs. Second, by an in‐crossing strategy, insects with mutant PBP1 or PBP3 (both with a premature stop codon) were screened, and homozygous mutants were obtained in the G3 generation. Third, the mutant insects were measured for electroantennogram (EAG) response to female sex pheromones. As a result, both PBP mutant males displayed significant reduction in EAG response, and this reduction in PBP1 mutants was higher than that in PBP3 mutants, indicating a more important role of PBP1. Finally, the relative importance of two PBPs and the possible off target effect induced by sgRNA‐injection are discussed. Taken together, our study provides a deeper insight into the function of and interaction between different PBP genes in sex pheromone perception of C. suppressalis, as well as a valuable reference in methodology for gene functional study in other genes and other moth species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Safflower has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The two forms of preparations for safflower which are widely used in China are injection and decoction. The first step of the process for preparing an injection involves extracting safflower with water, which actually yields a decoction. This study is intended to investigate how the preparation process influences the anti-inflammatory activity of safflower in vitro.Methods: Five samples, including a decoction (sample 1) and an injection (sample 5) of safflower, were prepared according to the national standard WS3-B-3825-98-2012 and were analyzed by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) method and the 1,1-diphenyl-2-trinitrophenylhydrazine (DPPH) method for comparison. Sample 1 and sample 5 were further tested by the Griess assay and ELISA for their effects on nitric oxide (NO) production and interleukin- (IL-) 1β content in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) activated RAW264.7 cells. The protein and mRNA levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and IL-1β were measured by Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR.Results: Sample 5 showed a significantly higher ORAC value and a lower half inhibitory concentration (IC50) for DPPH scavenging activity as compared to the other four samples (p < 0.05). LPS significantly upregulated the mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS and IL-1β as compared to the solvent control (p < 0.01). As compared to sample 1, sample 5 significantly decreased NO production, iNOS protein expression, and the contents of IL-1β mRNA and IL-1β protein at both 100 μg/ml and 200 μg/ml (all: p < 0.05) and significantly downregulated iNOS mRNA expression at 100 μg/ml (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Results of this study demonstrate that the safflower injection prepared according to the national standard has a significant effect of suppressing protein and mRNA expressions of iNOS and IL-1β as compared to its traditional decoction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • C N point defects were investigated by first- principles calculation. • Point defects are more likely to accumulate on the surface of GaN NWs. • The outmost C N point defects have the greatest influence on GaN NWs. • C N point defects may lead to yellow luminescence on the surface of GaN NWs. Abstract By using the first-principles, the electronic structure and optical properties of C N point defects on sidewall surface of [0 0 0 1]-oriented GaN nanowires were calculated. We found that C N point defects are more likely to be enriched on the surface of the GaN NWs. In addition, the closer the C N point defect to the sidewall of the GaN NWs, the greater the effects of C N point defect to the top of valence band. The C N point defects in different depths may lead to the yellow luminescence, and the red shift of PL spectral wavelength would occur when it tends to the surface. This may be one of the reasons for the broadening of the yellow luminescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Diverse plant‐associated fungi are thought to have symbiotrophic and saprotrophic states because they can be isolated from both dead and living plant tissues. However, such tissues often are separated in time and space, and fungal activity at various stages of plant senescence is rarely assessed directly in fungal community studies. We used fungal ribosomal RNA metatranscriptomics to detect active fungal communities across a natural senescence gradient within wild‐collected gametophytes of Dicranum scoparium (Bryophyta) to understand the distribution of active fungal communities in adjacent living, senescing and dead tissues. Ascomycota were active in all tissues across the senescence gradient. By contrast, Basidiomycota were prevalent and active in senescing and dead tissues. Several fungi were detected as active in living and dead tissues, suggesting their capacity for multi‐trophy. Differences in community assembly detected by metatranscriptomics were echoed by amplicon sequencing of cDNA and compared to culture‐based inferences and observation of fungal fruit bodies in the field. The combination of amplicon sequencing of cDNA and metatranscriptomics is promising for studying symbiotic systems with complex microbial diversity, allowing for the simultaneous detection of their presence and activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the thermostability of α-L-rhamnosidase (r-Rha1), an enzyme previously identified from Aspergillus niger JMU-TS528 , multiple arginine (Arg) residues were introduced into the r-Rha1 sequence to replace several lysine (Lys) residues that located on the surface of the folded r-Rha1. Hinted by in silico analysis, five surface Lys residues (K134, K228, K406, K440, K573) were targeted to produce a list of 5 single-residue mutants and 4 multiple-residue mutants using site-directed mutagenesis. Among these mutants, a double Lys to Arg mutant, i.e. K406R/K573R, showed the best thermostability improvement. The half-life of this mutant's enzyme activity increased 3 h at 60 °C, 23 min at 65 °C, and 3.5 min at 70 °C, when compared with the wild type. The simulated protein structure based interaction analysis and molecular dynamics calculation indicate that the thermostability improvement of the mutant K406R-K573R was possibly due to the extra hydrogen bonds, the additional cation-π interactions, and the relatively compact conformation. With the enhanced thermostability, the α-L-rhamnosidase mutant, K406R-K573R, has potentially broadened the r-Rha1 applications in food processing industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between the clinical effects of Huangqi (Astragalus membranaceus) on different stages of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the pharmacological effect of Huangqi on the activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in macrophages in different states.Methods: The PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang databases were searched. Clinical data was sourced from papers on treatment of different stages of DN with Huangqi, and pharmacological data was from papers on the effects of Huangqi on the iNOS activity of macrophages in a resting or an activated state.Results: Meta-analysis of Huangqi injections on stages III and III-IV DN and randomized controlled trials on other stages showed that Huangqi had therapeutic effects on different stages of DN and on macrophages in different states: inducing normal macrophages in a resting state to generate nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α, and so forth upon iNOS activation; inhibiting NO generation by normal lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) activated macrophages; and enhancing NO generation by LPS-induced macrophages from patients with renal failure.Conclusions: Huangqi can regulate iNOS activity of macrophages in different states in vitro. These biphasic or antagonistic effects may explain why Huangqi can be used to treat different stages of DN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria and fungi are primary components in wetland soil microbial communities and provide essential ecosystem functions and services. Understanding responses of bacterial and fungal communities to multiple drivers of environmental change and their interactions is crucial for wetland conservation and management, particularly for those embedded in agricultural landscapes. Yet little is known about effect of agricultural land use and wetland management on soil microbial communities in subtropical seasonal wetlands. Here, we used a long-term whole-ecosystem wetland experiment to examine individual and interactive effects of upland land-use intensification, livestock grazing, and prescribed fire on soil bacteria and fungi. We asked: (1) How do land-use intensification, grazing and fire disturbances interact to alter taxonomic composition and functional potential of wetland soil bacterial and fungal communities? (2) To what extent would these management and disturbance effects on wetland microbial communities manifest through alterations in soil properties? Our results showed that both microbial taxonomic and functional composition are responsive to agricultural land use and wetland management. Upland land-use intensification was the strongest driver (as compared to fire and grazing) in shaping bacterial and fungal community composition. Specifically, land-use intensification increased functional richness of both bacteria and fungi, whereas grazing and fire only interactively affected bacterial functional richness. In addition, responses of bacterial and fungal species diversity to wetland management varied, where grazing and fire reduced fungal species diversity in wetlands embedded in low-intensity managed pastures, but none of these management practices altered bacterial species diversity. Further, we found that pH and secondary nutrients (i.e., Ca and Mg) availability were the most important soil properties that explain how agricultural land use and wetland management drive the composition of bacterial and fungal communities. Our findings suggest that integration of lime application into intensified land uses to neutralize soil pH could facilitate maintenance of microbial diversity and associated functions. Our results highlight the need to comprehensively assess management impacts on soil microorganisms, rather than using a single or few indicators, due to inconsistent responses of bacterial and fungal communities, as well as their varied taxonomic and functional responses. ● Agricultural land use and wetland management have either individual or interactive effects on soil microbial communities. ● Upland intensification exerts stronger effects on wetland soil microbial communities than grazing and fire. ● Fungal diversity is more responsive to land management than bacterial diversity. ● Agricultural management and disturbances can affect potential microbial functions in wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Salt levels significantly affected the metabolic kinetics of fermented chili. • 24 odorants were discerned to disentangle flavor differences by driven levels. • LAB, Candida, Kazachstania, and Pichia were significantly associated with flavors. • Salt and then acid successively shaped microbial composition in fermented chili. • Metabolome-microbiome interactions promoted staged fermentation to control quality. Dynamics and correlations of quality attributes, microbial profiles, and flavor metabolites were systematically investigated during chili fermentation on multi-salinity-driven levels (8/13/18 %). Metabolomic analysis revealed that pre-fermentation contributed to acetic acid (10.16 mg/kg, 65.01 %) and biogenic amines (53.70 mg/kg, 70.43 %). While main- and post-fermentation accumulated lactic acid (48.33 mg/kg, 76.49 %). Metabolome-microbiome interactions revealed that dominant genera mediated by salt levels affected the distribution of 24 differential odorants in 54 aromatic compounds. Enterobacter , Klebsiella , Cronobacter , and Acinetobacter triggered the production of 121 mg/kg biogenic amines and 7 unpleasant flavors. 7 dominant genera including Leuconostoc , Lactococcus , Weissella , Lactobacillus, Candida , Pichia , and Kazachstania were correlated with spicy, fruity, and floral aromas. Interestingly, salt-acid alternation drove succession from Leuconostoc , Weissella , and Lactococcus to Lactobacillus and Pediococcus. Overall, microbial composition and function were metabolism-dependent patterns. These results provide insight into microbial succession and flavor formation during staged fermentation and promote to optimize quality of fermented chili. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A prisoner's dilemma game considering local and global popularity is presented. • The weight and scaling index of the popularity are introduced to the fitness. • Local and global popularity have different effects on cooperative behavior. • There exists optimal value of positive scaling index for cooperative behavior. Motivated by the realistic situation that local and global information feedbacks maybe influence on the cooperative behavior, a new model of spatial prisoner's dilemma game is proposed to consider the local popularity and global popularity based on the number of players who hold the same strategy with the central or target agent in the local and global environments. The weight of local popularity and the scaling index of the popularity are introduced to the fitness calculation. Numerical experiments show that the information of local popularity and global popularity have different effects on cooperative behavior when the scaling index of the popularity changes from positive to negative. And when the scaling index of the popularity is negative, the greater the absolute value of the scaling index is, the more conducive it is to the cooperation; but there exists the optimal value of the scaling index for the cooperative behavior when the scaling index is positive. These results maybe offer sights to a comprehensive understanding of the influence of the popularity on promoting cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon doping in GaN-on-Silicon (Si) epitaxial layers is an essential way to reduce leakage current and improve breakdown voltage. However, complicated occupy forms caused by carbon lead to hard analysis leakage/breakdown mechanisms of GaN-on-Si epitaxial layers. In this paper, we demonstrate the space charge distribution and intensity in GaN-on-Si epitaxial layers from 0 to 448 V by simulation. Depending on further monitoring of the trapped charge density of CN and CGa in carbon-doped GaN at 0.1 μm, 0.2 μm, 1.8 μm and 1.9 μm from unintentionally doped GaN/carbon-doped GaN interface, we discuss the relationship between space charge and plateau, breakdown at CN concentrations from 6 × 1016 cm−3 to 6 × 1018 cm−3. The results show that CN in different positions of carbon-doped GaN exhibits significantly different capture and release behaviors. By utilizing the capture and release behavior differences of CN at different positions in carbon-doped GaN, the blocking effect of space charge at unintentionally doped GaN/carbon-doped GaN interface on electron conduction was demonstrated. The study would help to understand the behavior of CN and CGa in GaN-on-Si epitaxial layers and more accurate control of CN and CGa concentration at different positions in carbon-doped GaN to improve GaN-on-Si device performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several automated writing evaluation (AWE) applications have been developed to facilitate writing improvement. However, few studies have examined the use of an AWE-assisted process-writing approach to facilitate EFL grammatical development. This study examined 63 participants' grammatical performance in revised and subsequent new essays, learner perceptions and strategies, and possible factors mediating learning in an AWE-assisted process-writing program. Student essays and learner responses to a questionnaire regarding their perceptions on and experiences with using Criterion , an AWE tool, to improve the grammatical aspects of their writing were analyzed. In contrast to the improvement in grammatical performance observed in the revisions of each essay, improvement in the writing of new texts was not observed until the third essay. Furthermore, 18 individual interviews were conducted, and four learner types related to the exercise of learner agency were identified: goal getters, accuracy pursuers, reluctant learners, and late bloomers. Agency appeared to mediate AWE-assisted writing, and the repeated act of language gap noticing and metacognitive strategy use mediated by the process-writing approach appeared to facilitate language modification and longer-term shifts in the students' initial writing ability, although the effects appeared to occur earlier among the goal getters and accuracy pursuers than among the other learner types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) represent one of the major guilds of symbiotic fungi associated with roots of forest trees, where they function to improve plant nutrition and fitness in exchange for plant carbon. Many groups of EMF exhibit preference or specificity for different plant host genera; a good example is the genus Suillus, which grows in association with the conifer family Pinaceae. We investigated genetics of EMF host-specificity by cross-inoculating basidiospores of five species of Suillus onto ten species of Pinus, and screened them for their ability to form ectomycorrhizae. Several Suillus spp. including S. granulatus, S. spraguei, and S. americanus readily formed ectomycorrhizae (compatible reaction) with white pine hosts (subgenus Strobus), but were incompatible with other pine hosts (subgenus Pinus). Metatranscriptomic analysis of inoculated roots reveals that plant and fungus each express unique gene sets during incompatible vs. compatible pairings. The Suillus-Pinus metatranscriptomes utilize highly conserved gene regulatory pathways, including fungal G-protein signaling, secretory pathways, leucine-rich repeat and pathogen resistance proteins that are similar to those associated with host-pathogen interactions in other plant-fungal systems. Metatranscriptomic study of the combined Suillus-Pinus transcriptome has provided new insight into mechanisms of adaptation and coevolution of forest trees with their microbial community, and revealed that genetic regulation of ectomycorrhizal symbiosis utilizes universal gene regulatory pathways used by other types of fungal-plant interactions including pathogenic fungal-host interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel dihydrobenzo[ h ]quinolines (DHBQs), the products of an efficient catalyst-free three-component reaction (3CR) recently developed by us, possess useful and strong aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristic. Here, a series of new dihydrobenzo[ h ]quinolines (h-DHBQs 4 – 1−34) and dihydrobenzo[ f ]quinolines (f-DHBQs 5a−e) were designed and synthesized by the 3CR to study their bioactivities as novel inhibitors against the influenza A (H1N1) virus. The structure-activity relationship (SAR) indicates that the antiviral activities of DHBQs depend on the combination of substituents and three of h-DHBQs (4–12 , 4–25 and 4–27) show potent antiviral activity with IC 50 = 2.52–3.79 μM. These potent h-DHBQs have low toxicity to MDCK and A549 cells (CC50 > 100 μM for 4–12 and > 50/100 μM for 4–25 and 4–27). The primary mechanism of the antiviral activities of DHBQs was studied using the most potent h-DHBQ 4–12 , which indicated that 4–12 could efficiently inhibit virus-induced plaque formation and NP/PB2 protein expression in a dose-dependent way. DHBQs with simple synthetic method, useful AIE characteristic and antiviral activities are expected to be developed into potential inhibitors against influenza A virus, at the same time acting as chemical/biological fluorescent probe. [Display omitted] • 39 DHBQs have been designed and synthesized by a three-component reaction. • The antiviral activities of DHBQs depend on the combination of substituents. • Three of h-DHBQs show potent inhibition effects on the influenza A (H1N1) virus. • h-DHBQ 4–12 dose-dependently inhibits the expressions of NP and PB2 proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of fault prediction of discrete-event systems (DESs) is to predict the occurrence of fault in advance such that some protective actions can be taken before the occurrence of the fault. The robust predictability issue under the framework of stochastic DESs (SDESs) with model uncertainty is studied. First, the notions of (ϵ , m) − robust predictability and robust predictability of SDESs are formalized. In general, a set of stochastic systems being robustly predictable can predict the occurrences of faults in the sense of probability. Then the robust predictor and robust verifier for performing the robust prediction are constructed from the given possible stochastic systems. Particularly, the necessary and sufficient conditions for (ϵ , m) − robust predictability and robust predictability of SDESs are proposed, and an approach is presented to verify the robust predictability of SDESs with polynomial-time complexity both in the state space and in the number of all possible models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fire resistance of beam-to-column connections affects the safety of clad racks under fire conditions. However, existing research lacks studies on the behavior of these special connections at high temperatures. This study investigates the fire resistance of clad rack beam-to-column bolted connections (CRBCs). Firstly, single cantilever tests of CRBCs at temperatures of 20 °C, 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C, and 700 °C are carried out. The failure modes of the CRBCs at 600 °C and below are identical to that at ambient temperature, while the failure mode at 700 °C is different. The stiffness and strength of the CRBCs decrease with the increasing temperature. Subsequently, an FE model considering the high-temperature metal fracture is established, which can accurately simulate the typical failure mechanisms and satisfactorily predict the full range moment-rotation behavior of CRBCs. Furthermore, parametric analyses are conducted to investigate the influences of related parameters on the failure mechanism, initial rotational stiffness, and flexural capacity of CRBCs. Finally, theoretical models based on the component method are established for calculating the initial rotational stiffness and flexural capacity of CRBCs at high temperatures, respectively. The comparison of the theoretical model, experimental results, and numerical results indicates that the theoretical model can accurately calculate the mechanical properties of CRBCs at high temperatures. The findings of this study can provide a reference for the analysis and design of the fire resistance of clad rack structures. • High-temperature flexural tests were conducted on CRBCs. • Failure modes and moment-rotation curves of CRBCs at 6 temperatures were obtained. • FE model considering metal fracture can simulate the experiment well. • Theoretical model for estimating mechanical properties of CRBCs is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, AIE (aggregation-induced emission) fluorophores have attracted great interest owing to their advantages in wide areas and many AIE fluorophores have be designed by combing conventional fluorophores with AIEgens that exhibiting AIE attributes. However, only few efficient AIEgens were developed. Here, novel dihydrobenzoquinolines (h-DHBQs 4a − e and f-DHBQ 5a), a new kind of AIEgens with strong AIE, are reported. DHBQs were synthesized by a catalyst-free multi-component reaction (MCR) in good overall yield and their optical properties were investigated through steady-state and transient fluorescence spectra, single-crystal diffraction, calculated HOMOs and LUMOs. It was found that DHBQs have these characteristics: a) strong AIE, that is, their fluorescence quantum yields lower than 4.1% in solutions, but high to 90.5% in crystals; b) efficient through-bond and -space conjugated nonaromatic central heterocycle; c) radiative-process-favored but non-radiative-decay-prevented self-assemblies; d) emissive excimers; and e) easily tunable fluorescence color. This work affords a new kind of AIEgens with excellent optical properties in solids and a strategy to develop AIEgens by constructing nonaromatic heterocycle using simple MCRs. Novel through-bond and -space conjugated dihydrobenzo[h]/[f]quinolines (h-DHBQs 4a − e and f-DHBQ 5a) can be synthesized by a catalyst-free multicomponent reaction (MCR) in good overall yields. Their fluorescence quantum yields are lower than 4.1% in solutions, but high to 90.5% in crystals because their self-assemblies promote radiative transition but prevent nonradiative transition. Unusually, intermolecular compact π–π stacking causes no conventional emission-quenching. [Display omitted] • Novel dihydrobenzoquinolines could be synthesized by a multicomponent reaction. • They show strong AIE with fluorescence quantum yields as high as 90.5% in crystals. • They have efficient through-space conjugated nonaromatic central heterocycles. • Their self-assemblies favor radiative decay but prevent non-radiative decay. • Formed excimers are emissive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both the number (ligand-receptor pairs) and strength of cell-cell communication were high (Figure 2C,D and Figure S4C,D). In addition, macrophages, T cells and NK cells exhibited higher purity, whereas B cells and monocytes showed higher heterogeneity (Figure 1D). We then determined the DEIRGs activity (Figure 1G) and found that monocytes and T cells expressed more genes (Figure 1H). [Extracted from the article]

Objective. To study the effect of different proportions of Huangqi (Radix Astragali Mongolici) and Honghua (Flos Carthami) injection on α-glucosidase and α-amylase activity simultaneously. Methods. The injections were prepared according to the standards of the China Food and Drug Administration. The assay for potential α-glucosidase inhibitors was based on the hydrolysis of 4-methylumbelliferyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (4-MUG). The α-amylase EnzChek assay kit was used to determine potential α-amylase inhibitors. Acarbose was the positive control. Results. The half maximal (50%) inhibitory concentration (IC50) of acarbose against α-glucosidase and α-amylase was (1.8±0.4) μg/mL and (227±32) μg/mL, respectively. Honghua showed significant inhibition of α-glucosidase activity compared with Huangqi (P<0.01). Honghua inhibited α-amylase activity, but Huangqi did not. IC50s for α-glucosidase inhibition by mixtures at 10 : 1, 5 : 1, and 2 : 1 were significantly lower than those at the 20 : 1 mixture (P<0.01). α-Amylase inhibition by the 2 : 1 mixture was significantly higher than that by the 20 : 1, 10 : 1, and 5 : 1 mixtures at 500 μg/mL and 1000 μg/mL (P<0.01), with 5 : 1 significantly higher than 20 : 1 and 10 : 1 at 1000 μg/mL (P<0.01). Conclusion. Honghua significantly inhibited α-glucosidase activity compared with Huangqi (P<0.01). For simultaneous inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities, the mixtures at 2 : 1 and 5 : 1 exhibited significant effects compared with those at 20 : 1 (P<0.01). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Chinese medicine, Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens) and its processed products, such as Ganjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma), Paojiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Preparatum), and Jiangtan (Zingiberis Rhizoma Carbonisata), exert distinct efficacy clinically. This research tried to study the effects of extracts from Shengjiang and its processed products in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. After incubation of the different ginger types in RAW 264.7 cells for 24 h, an aliquot of the culture was mixed with an equal volume of Griess reagent, and nitric oxide (NO) production was evaluated using a Griess assay. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used as the positive control. Milli-Q water (MQW) was used as the solvent control. The results showed that NO production increased significantly in RAW 264.7 cells following the stimulation of LPS (0.05 μg mL−1), Shengjiang, Ganjiang, Paojiang, and Jiangtan (50 μg mL−1, 500 μg mL−1) separately compared with the MQW control (P<0.01). The stimulation effects of Shengjiang and Ganjiang were significantly higher than those of Paojiang and Jiangtan at different concentrations (P<0.01). The conclusion we could get from this research is that Shengjiang and its processed products could induce NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify the health hazards and possible exposure surveillance markers of workers exposed to nanoparticles during manufacturing and application in comparison to a group of unexposed workers. For this longitudinal study, we recruited 158 nanomaterial-handling workers and 104 non-exposed workers from 14 manufacturing plants in Taiwan (baseline). Among them, 124 nanomaterial-handling workers and 77 unexposed workers were monitored 6 months later. We investigated pulmonary and cardiovascular disease markers, inflammation and oxidative stress markers, antioxidant enzymes and genotoxicity markers. Antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) and cardiovascular markers (vascular cell adhesion molecule, paraoxonase) were significantly associated with nanomaterial-handling during the 6-month follow-up period. In addition, the small airway damage marker (Clara cell protein 16) and lung function test parameters were also significantly associated with handling nanomaterials. The study markers and lung function tests are possible markers that could be useful for surveillance of nanomaterial-handling workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Primary biliary cirrhosis ( PBC) is an autoimmune liver disease. Genetic factors are critical in determining susceptibility to PBC. Among human leuocyte antigen ( HLA) genes, an association between the DRB1*08 allele and PBC has been reported in many populations, but not in Chinese patients. Methods We investigated HLA-A, B, DRB1, and DQB1 alleles and haplotypes in 145 PBC patients and 500 healthy subjects. Patients were also stratified according to autoantibody features, and associations between these and HLA alleles were analyzed. Results Significant associations existed between HLA- DRB1*08:03 (22.1% vs. 9.0%, Pc < 0.0001, OR = 2.86), DQ2 (41.4% vs. 25.4%, Pc < 0.0001, OR = 2.07) and DQB1*06:01 (31.0% vs. 17.8%, Pc = 0.014, OR = 2.08) alleles and PBC. DRB1*08:03- DQB1*06:01 (22.1% vs. 8.2%, P < 0.0001, OR = 3.17) and DRB1*07:01- DQB1*02:02 haplotypes (28.3% vs. 17.6%, P = 0.005, OR = 1.85) were also associated with PBC susceptibility. In contrast, the DQB1*03:01 allele (21.4% vs. 39.2%, Pc < 0.0001, OR = 0.42) and DRB1*12:02- DQB1*03:01 haplotype (6.9% vs. 14.6%, P = 0.015, OR = 0.43) were significantly decreased in PBC patients compared with controls. DRB1*14:54 and DQ5(1) protected against antinuclear antibody ( ANA) ( OR = 0.25) and anti-gp210 antibody ( OR = 0.39) production, respectively, while HLA-B*44:03 predisposed patients to anti-gp210 antibody ( OR = 5.70) production. Conclusion These results suggest that Chinese patients with PBC have a distinct genetic background in eastern Asia, and we confirmed the role of HLA genes in determining PBC susceptibility and autoantibody features in the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different carbon sources on water quality and growth performance of Litopenaeus vannamei in the biofloc system under a salinity condition as low as 5‰. Three biofloc treatments with glucose (Glu), molasses (Mol) and starch (Sta) as carbon source, respectively, were designed to stocking shrimp juveniles (0.81 ± 0.02 g) at a density of 90 individuals m−3 for a 63-days culture experiment. Results showed that there was no significant difference on shrimp performance and water quality between Glu treatment and Mol treatment. The final mean body weight, weekly increment rate of body weight, specific growth rate, feed efficiency rate, productivity and survival rate of shrimp in Glu and Mol treatments, were all significantly higher than those in Sta treatment (P < 0.05). Significantly higher pH and carbonate alkalinity (P < 0.05), but significantly lower levels of total ammonia nitrogen, nitrite and nitrate (P < 0.05), were also found in Glu and Mol treatments, when compared to those in Sta treatment. The results indicated that in the biofloc system with a low salinity in the present study, soluble glucose and molasses are good carbon sources for grow-out culture of L. vannamei shrimp. • Glucose and molasses are good carbon sources in low-salinity BFT system for shrimp. • Starch fails to control water quality, and depresses growth and survival of shrimp. • TAN and nitrite negatively, and biofloc positively relate to growth of shrimp. • Alkalinity, pH, biofloc and TSS automatically change with time elapsing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescence thermometers have attracted wide interesting owing to their advantages of ultra-high sensitivity, fast response speed, high spatial resolution, safe and non-invasive detection signal etc. However, conventional fluorescence thermometers are sensitive only in a certain range. In 2016, we found that one of C6-unsubstituted tetrahydro-pyrimidines (THPs) that synthesized by an efficient five-multicomponent reaction (5CR) shows unusual temperature-range-tunable (TRT) fluorescence characteristic: showing sensitive fluorescence-color/-on-off changes in different temperature ranges by only changing excitation wavelength. Here, the influences of molecular structures, packing modes and chirality on the TRT fluorescence characteristic of THPs were investigated in detail. In addition, the crucial parameter evaluating the TRT characteristics and the selection of the suitable excitation wavelengths in different T -ranges are explored. The obtained experimental results indicate that: (a) the TRT characteristics of THPs mainly depends on molecular structures rather than their R - and S -enantiomer molecular packing modes; (b) although the pure enantiomeric alignments of THPs significantly decrease their fluorescence quantum yields, they favor the TRT characteristics; (c) the response (S λ rex) of red-edge excitation wavelength (λ rex) to temperature is a crucial parameter for evaluating TRT characteristic; (d) the suitable excitation wavelengths for fluorescence measurement in different temperature ranges can be simply identified by the good linear relationship between λ rex and temperature; (e) Racemic THP 5c is the most sensitive thermometer in different T -ranges. From 10–430 K (−263 °C−157 °C), 5c could show sensitive fluorescence-on-off change in any narrow T -range (<40 K), such as 10–30 K, 30–60 K ... 300–330 K, 400–430 K, by selecting suitable λ rex values (the thermo-response sensitivities ranges from 0.83 to 4.20% K−1). The work reported here is expected to promote the development and application of different kinds of fluorescence thermometers with TRT characteristics. Racemic C6-unsubstituted tetrahydropyrimidines (THPs) synthesized by as efficient five-component reaction (5CR) are a novel series of fluorophores with strong aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics. They show unusual temperature-range-tunable (TRT) fluorescence characteristic. It was found that TRT characteristic mainly depends on the molecular structures of THPs rather than their R - and S -enantiomer packing modes, and that 5c , one of racemic THPs, has the highest sensitive TRT characteristics among racemic THPs and can be used as an unique fluorescence-on-off thermometer in different narrow T- ranges (△ T ≤ 40 K, such as 10–30 K, 30–60 K.400–430 K) from the wide range of 10–430 K (−263 °C–157 °C). [Display omitted] • THPs show temperature-range-tunable (TRT) fluorescence-on-off characteristics. • Their red-edge excitation wavelengths (λ rex) linearly depend on temperature (T). • The unusual TRT characteristics of THPs mainly depend on molecular structures. • 5c , one of THP 5 polymorph, possesses the most sensitive TRT characteristic. • 5c can be used as a thermometer in any temperature range (<40 K) from 10 K to 430 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gallium nitride (GaN) is a promising semiconductor for the fabrication of a wide range of electronic and optoelectronic devices. For GaN grown on widely used sapphire substrate, bundles of threading dislocations (TDs) are induced by thermal and lattice mismatch. These TDs intersect the surface of GaN and degrade the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of GaN-based devices. To address this issue, two innovative techniques are proposed for effective filtration of TDs. First, a novel design of serpentine channel pattern sapphire substrate (SCPSS) is applied for effective filtration of TDs at the interface. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that SCPSS plays an effective role in the filtration of TDs; however, cathodoluminescence (CL) revealed that many TDs still intersect the surface of GaN. To further optimize the growth of GaN, the temperature was ramped down to the intermediate level and an interlayer (IL) of InGaN was introduced near the window of SCPSS. CL analysis indicated that additional use of InGaN-IL further reduced the TDs. Raman microscopy showed that incorporation of IL lead to drastic reduction in compressive stress. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed the achievement of excellent surface topography with InGaN-IL. Moreover, it is observed that growth of GaN by SCPSS is better than conventional growth because of improved surface morphology and low TDs. The reduction of TDs by SCPSS and InGaN-IL is an effective approach for the growth of high-quality GaN towards efficient devices. [Display omitted] - Reduction of TDs in GaN grown by novel design of pattern sapphire substrate. - Role of interlayer of InGaN in the filtration of threading dislocations. - Blocking and bending of threading dislocations by PSS and interlayer of InGaN. - Effects of interlayer of InGaN on the crystal quality of GaN. - High quality growth of GaN grown on SCPSS and role of InGaN interlayer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]