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This study aimed to extract tiger nut polysaccharides (TNPs) by the cellulase method which were graded using the DEAE-cellulose ion exchange method to obtain neutral (TNP-N) and acidic (TNP-A) polysaccharide classes. Analysis of the physical structures and monosaccharide compositions of TNP-A (3.458 KDa) and TNP-N (10.640 KDa) revealed lamellar and dense flocculent structures, with both primarily containing the monosaccharides glucose, galactose, and arabinose (Glc, Gal, and Ara). Single-factor and orthogonal tests were used to select three hydrocolloids, and the optimal ratio of the composite hydrocolloids was determined. Peanut protein drinks with a centrifugal sedimentation rate of 9.71% and a stability factor of 69.28% were obtained by adding 2.78% polysaccharide extract, 0.1% monoglyceride, and peanut pulp at a ratio of 1:15.5 g/mL. Polysaccharide protein drinks are more stable than commercially available protein drinks, with nutritional parameters either comparable to or better than those of the non-polysaccharide protein drinks.

The traditional underwater integrated navigation system is based on an optical fiber gyroscope and Doppler Velocity Log, which is high-precision but also expensive, heavy, bulky and difficult to adapt to the development requirements of AUV swarm, intelligence and miniaturization. This paper proposes a low-cost, light-weight, small-volume and low-computation underwater integrated navigation system based on MEMS IMU/DVL/USBL. First, according to the motion formula of AUV, a five-dimensional state equation of the system was established, whose dimension was far less than that of the traditional. Second, the main source of error was considered. As the velocity observation value of the system, the velocity measured by DVL eliminated the scale error and lever arm error. As the position observation value of the system, the position measured by USBL eliminated the lever arm error. Third, to solve the issue of inconsistent observation frequencies between DVL and USBL, a sequential filter was proposed to update the extended Kalman filter. Finally, through selecting the sensor equipment and conducting two lake experiments with total voyages of 5.02 km and 3.2 km, respectively, the correctness and practicality of the system were confirmed by the results. By comparing the output of the integrated navigation system and the data of RTK GPS, the average position error was 4.12 m, the maximum position error was 8.53 m, the average velocity error was 0.027 m/s and the average yaw error was 1.41°, whose precision is as high as that of an optical fiber gyroscope and Doppler Velocity Log integrated navigation system, but the price is less than half of that. The experimental results show that the proposed underwater integrated navigation system could realize the high-precision and long-term navigation of AUV in the designated area, which had great potential for both military and civilian applications.

Auricularia auricula polysaccharides (AAP) have been widely studied in the field of medicine and healthcare because of their unique structure and physiological activity. Many species of Auricularia auricula polysaccharides have been extracted, isolated, and purified by different methods, and their structures have been analyzed. Auricularia auricula polysaccharides have been proven to have beneficial effects on the human body, including slowing the aging process, controlling the intestinal system, and treating cardiovascular disorders. In this paper, the extraction, isolation, and purification of AAP from Auricularia auricula, as well as research in the field of medicine and healthcare, have pointed to the shortcomings and limitations of these methods. We also suggest future research directions for Auricularia auricula polysaccharides; standardized processing methods must be confirmed, and officially approved AAPs are needed for commercial applications. Finally, an optimistic outlook on the development of AAPs is given.

Objectives: The role Staphylococcus aureus antimicrobial resistance genes and toxins play in disease severity, management and outcome in childhood is an emerging field requiring further exploration. Methods: A prospective multisite study of Australian and New Zealand children hospitalised with S. aureus bacteraemia (SAB) occurred over 24 months (2017–2018). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) data were paired with clinical information from the ISAIAH cohort. Results: 353 SAB isolates were sequenced; 85% methicillin-susceptible S. aureus ([MSSA], 301/353) and 15% methicillin-resistant S. aureus ([MRSA], 52/353). There were 92 sequence types (STs), most commonly ST5 (18%) and ST30 (8%), grouped into 23 clonal complexes (CCs), most frequently CC5 (21%) and CC30 (12%). MSSA comprised the majority of healthcare-associated SAB (87%, 109/125), with principal clones CC15 (48%, 11/21) and CC8 (33%, 7/21). Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive SAB occurred in 22% (76/353); predominantly MSSA (59%, 45/76), community-onset (92%, 70/76) infections. For community-onset SAB, the only microbiological independent predictor of poor outcomes was PVL positivity (aOR 2.6 [CI 1.0–6.2]). Conclusion: From this WGS paediatric SAB data, we demonstrate the previously under-recognized role MSSA has in harbouring genetic virulence and causing healthcare-associated infections. PVL positivity was the only molecular independent predictor of poor outcomes in children. These findings underscore the need for further research to define the potential implications PVL-producing strains may have on approaches to S. aureus clinical management.

Nociceptors are key sensory receptors that transmit warning signals to the central nervous system in response to painful stimuli. This fundamental process is emulated in an electronic device by developing a novel artificial nociceptor with an ultrathin, nonstoichiometric gallium oxide (GaOx)‐silicon oxide heterostructure. A large‐area 2D‐GaOx film is printed on a substrate through liquid metal printing to facilitate the production of conductive filaments. This nociceptive structure exhibits a unique short‐term temporal response following stimulation, enabling a facile demonstration of threshold‐switching physics. The developed heterointerface 2D‐GaOx film enables the fabrication of fast‐switching, low‐energy, and compliance‐free 2D‐GaOx nociceptors, as confirmed through experiments. The accumulation and extrusion of Ag in the oxide matrix are significant for inducing plastic changes in artificial biological sensors. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy demonstrate that Ag clusters in the material dispersed under electrical bias and regrouped spontaneously when the bias is removed owing to interfacial energy minimization. Moreover, 2D nociceptors are stable; thus, heterointerface engineering can enable effective control of charge transfer in 2D heterostructural devices. Furthermore, the diffusive 2D‐GaOx device and its Ag dynamics enable the direct emulation of biological nociceptors, marking an advancement in the hardware implementation of artificial human sensory systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stiphodon chlorestes sp. nov. is described based on seven specimens collected from Taiwan and Luzon. It is a large‐sized Stiphodon species sharing the second dorsal‐fin rays 9–10 and pectoral‐fin rays 14–16 with similar‐sized congeners. However, it differs from them by the wider interorbital width and almost complete lack of scales on the occipital region in males. In addition, the new species can be further distinguished from all congeners by seven to eight oval bands or a black longitudinal band on the lower body, black and white spots on pectoral fins, and a short red or orange line on posterior upper edge of caudal fin. Molecular analysis based on the 680‐bp mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) fragments also supports it as a distinct species belonging to the "Stiphodon elegans group" and a sister group of the clade consisting of Stiphodon multisquamus and Stiphodon palawanensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhinogobius formosanus Oshima, 1919 has long been considered an amphidromous goby. However, a landlocked population recently found in the Jingualiao Creek upstream of the Feitsui Reservoir in Taipei suggests that R. formosanus may complete its life in the river. This study aims to verify the habitat use of the landlocked population of R. formosanus collected from the Feitsui Reservoir and an amphidromous population collected in Malian Creek using otolith Sr:Ca ratio analysis. The hypothesis that early life history varies between the landlocked and migratory gobies was also tested. Genetic analyses show that the Feitsui Reservoir and Malian Creek populations are not genetically different. Rhinogobius formosanus from Malian Creek showed high-to-low otolith Sr:Ca ratios suggesting that these specimens spent a planktonic larval stage in the sea followed by a freshwater life at later stages. In contrast, R. formosanus from the Feitsui Reservoir showed constant lower otolith Sr:Ca ratios, implying a landlocked life history of fish in the creek upstream of the reservoir. In addition, the analysis of growth increments showed a longer pelagic larval duration for the fish in the Malian Creek (58.8 days) than those in the Feitsui Reservoir (38.8). Variation of pelagic larval duration in two genetically homogenous populations implies acclimatization to the reservoir by the landlocked gobies. This study shows that R. formosanus, like some other congeners, is capable of adapting to a freshwater landlocked environment in its early developmental stage and supports the hypothesis that landlocked populations may have a shorter pelagic larval duration.

A background study is important for the conservation and stock management of a species. Terapon jarbua is a coastal Indo-Pacific species, sourced for human consumption. This study examined 134 samples from the central west and east coasts of Peninsular (West) Malaysia and East Malaysia. A 1446-bp concatenated dataset of mtDNA COI and Cyt b sequences was used in this study and 83 haplotypes were identified, of which 79 are unique haplotypes and four are shared haplotypes. Populations of T. jarbua in Malaysia are genetically heterogenous as shown by the high level of haplotype diversity ranging from 0.9167–0.9952, low nucleotide diversity ranging from 0.0288–0.3434, and high FST values (within population genetic variation). Population genetic structuring is not distinct as shown by the shared haplotypes between geographic populations and mixtures of haplotypes from different populations within the same genetic cluster. The gene flow patterns and population structuring observed among these regions are likely attributed to geographical distance, past historical events, allopatric speciation, dispersal ability and water currents. For instance, the mixture of haplotypes revealed an extraordinary migration ability of T. jarbua (>1200 km) via ancient river connectivity. The negative overall value of the neutrality test and a non-significant mismatch distribution are consistent with demographic expansion(s) in the past. The median-joining network concurred with the maximum likelihood haplotype tree with three major clades resolved. The scarcity of information on this species is an obstacle for future management and conservation purposes. Hence, this study aims to contribute information on the population structure, genetic diversity, and historical demography of T. jarbua in Malaysia.

The spectrum of dermatoses in the pediatric population of the Republic of Palau is unknown and largely unmentioned in publication. All Palauan pediatric patients who consulted the Shin Kong Medical Assistant Program to Palau dermatology services at Belau National Hospital (BNH) and local dispensaries from 2015 to 2018 were analyzed. The results were classified according to age and sex and also analyzed by region. This population included a total of 155 patients, with 92 girls and 63 boys. Eczema (52.9%), superficial fungal infection (21.93%), and bacterial infection (16.77%) were the most frequent conditions. More than 20% of the patients presented with more than one concurrent skin disease. Among the disease spectrum, the frequency of atopic dermatitis was comparable: 29.1% in girls and 28.6% in boys. Superficial fungal infections were more common in boys, with a frequency of 31.7% as opposed to 15.2% in girls. The results were also analyzed according to region: 123 patients were seen at BNH and 32 patients were seen at the local dispensaries. Bacterial infection was more common at the local dispensaries (37.5%) than at BNH (11.4%). Hereby, we describe the pattern of skin diseases in Palauan children.