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The ecological function optimization strategy of vegetation directly affects the self-stability and engineering sustainability of the vegetation concrete ecological restoration system, which is the key to the successful restoration of an ecosystem. To clarify the survival strategies of slope protection plants and their response mechanisms to the soil environment in the process of vegetation concrete ecological restoration, the resource allocation strategies and soil driving factors of typical slope protection plants, such as Cynodon dactylon (Linn.) Pers. and Indigofera amblyantha, in a co-operation environment mode, were investigated by controlled simulation experiments. The results showed that (1) the co-operating environmental model had a significant effect on the biomass (leaf, stem and root) and root shoot ratio of slope protection vegetation; (2) the sensitivity of plant biomass in the co-operating environmental model was leaf biomass ratio > root biomass ratio > stem biomass ratio, and the most sensitive organ was the leaf; (3) a common allometric growth index for the plants of all slopes existed, the root and leaf grew at the same rate, and the plant roots and stems showed allometric growth with the synergistic effect of rainfall and slope; (4) the total nitrogen content of soil had a significant correlation with the vegetation R/S (root shoot ratio) (p < 0.05) due to the synergistic effect of vegetation type and slope, while the total phosphorus content of the P3 slope had a significant negative correlation with the vegetation R/S (p < 0.05). The co-operating environmental model significantly affected the spatial distribution of vegetation biomass and had the greatest impact on leaf biomass. The contents of soil nitrogen and phosphorus were the key soil driving factors that affected the distribution pattern of plant biomass. The resource allocation characteristics of different vegetation and its response to soil factors had species specificity.

Background and Purpose: Psoriasis vulgaris is a refractory skin inflammatory disorder with 80% of the cases belonging to the mild‐to‐moderate type, which can be controlled by topical treatment. Nevertheless, the drugs for external use have not been upgraded for decades. We modified acetyl‐11‐keto‐beta‐boswellic acid (ABKA), a natural compound shown to treat psoriasis animal models, to improve efficacy and solubility for topical use. Experimental Approach: Eleven compounds were synthesized using AKBA as a lead compound, and their effects on Th17 cell differentiation were screened. 3‐O‐cyclohexanecarbonyl‐11‐keto‐β‐boswellic acid (CKBA) potently inhibited Th17 cell differentiation. Its efficacy in a mouse model of psoriasis was assessed along with its pharmacology and safety profile when topically or systemically delivered to several animal species. Key Results: CKBA inhibited mouse and human Th17 cell differentiation with an IC50 of 3.28 and 3.61 μM, respectively, and directly targeted acetyl‐CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1). Safety evaluation and toxicity tests suggested that systemically delivered high‐dose CKBA for 14 days had no dose‐associated adverse effects on the CNS, haematopoietic, cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems of cynomolgus monkeys. CKBA ointment permeated the skin and did not irritate or sensitize intact skin. CKBA ointment mediated dose‐dependent suppression of imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like skin inflammation with slow absorption and limited bioavailability (<10% in rats and <1% in minipigs). Conclusions and Implications: CKBA is safe when topically or systemically delivered to animals. The beneficial effects of CKBA ointment in a mouse model of psoriasis indicate that this is a promising drug candidate for further development as a treatment for psoriasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dermal fibroblasts and cutaneous nerves are important players in skin diseases, while their reciprocal roles during skin inflammation have not been characterized. Here we identify an inflammation-induced subset of papillary fibroblasts that promotes aberrant neurite outgrowth and psoriasiform skin inflammation by secreting the extracellular matrix protein tenascin-C (TNC). Single-cell analysis of fibroblast lineages reveals a Tnc+ papillary fibroblast subset with pro-axonogenesis and neuro-regulation transcriptomic hallmarks. TNC overexpression in fibroblasts boosts neurite outgrowth in co-cultured neurons, while fibroblast-specific TNC ablation suppresses hyperinnervation and alleviates skin inflammation in male mice modeling psoriasis. Dermal γδT cells, the main producers of type 17 pathogenic cytokines, frequently contact nerve fibers in mouse psoriasiform lesions and are likely modulated by postsynaptic signals. Overall, our results highlight the role of an inflammation-responsive fibroblast subset in facilitating neuro-immune synapse formation and suggest potential avenues for future therapeutic research. Local cues for hyperinnervation in chronic skin diseases are not fully understood. Here, the authors show that a distinct subset of dermal papillary fibroblasts promote neurite outgrowth and facilitate neuron-immune interactions through extracellular matrix remodeling in a mouse model of psoriasis [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of power electronic techniques and the increasing cost of permanent magnets (PMs) materials, switched reluctance motors (SRMs) have recently gained more attention. However, traditional SRMs have a relatively low torque density. For the sake of increasing the motor torque density, this paper proposes a novel segmental rotor type SRM. The proposed motor adopts hybrid stator poles and concentrated windings in the stator side and a segmental rotor structure in the rotor side, which is completely different from the structures of the traditional SRM. The special structure of the motor shortens the magnetic flux paths of the motor, separates the parts of the magnetic flux paths from one another, and eradicates the magnetic flux reversal in the motor stator in order to improve the electric utilization and output torque density of the motor. Meanwhile, the requirement of the magneto-motive force and the core loss of the motor is also decreased, thereby improving the efficiency of the motor. For the purpose of proving the proposed structure, the characteristics of the motor are analyzed using the finite element method and are compared to those of the traditional 12/8 SRM, which is designed for the same application. Moreover, the prototypes of the traditional 12/8 and proposed SRMs are manufactured, and experiments based on the prototypes are performed. Finally, the effectiveness of the structure of the proposed motor is further proven by the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]