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Diabetic cognitive dysfunction (DCD) is one of the most insidious complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus, which can seriously affect the ability to self-monitoring of blood glucose and the quality of life in the elderly. Previous pathological studies of cognitive dysfunction have focused on neuronal dysfunction, characterized by extracellular beta-amyloid deposition and intracellular tau hyperphosphorylation. In recent years, astrocytes have been recognized as a potential therapeutic target for cognitive dysfunction and important participants in the central control of metabolism. The disorder of gut microbiota and their metabolites have been linked to a series of metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. The imbalance of intestinal flora has the effect of promoting the occurrence and deterioration of several diabetes-related complications. Gut microbes and their metabolites can drive astrocyte activation.We reviewed the pathological progress of DCD related to the "gut microbiota-astrocyte" axis in terms of peripheral and central inflammation, intestinal and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction, systemic and brain energy metabolism disorders to deepen the pathological research progress of DCD and explore the potential therapeutic targets."Gut microbiota-astrocyte" axis, unique bidirectional crosstalk in the brain-gut axis, mediates the intermediate pathological process of neurocognitive dysfunction secondary to metabolic disorders in diabetes mellitus.

The detection of explosives and drugs in large cargo distribution centers such as customs and logistics stations has a great effect on preventing smuggling crimes and terrorist incidents. However, the relatively thick shielding of container cargo makes the material composition information obtained by conventional detection methods such as X-ray transmission detection and imaging technology very limited. Nuclear Resonance Fluorescence (NRF) is an emerging nondestructive assay technology that uses the specific resonance energy of nuclides to identify unknown nuclides, which can be used to detect and analyze the isotopic composition of the inspected cargo. In this paper, according to the theoretical analysis of NRF, Geant4 is used to build the NRF backscatter detection model, the collimator structure of the electron accelerator and the background shield of the NRF signal are optimized and calculated, and the NRF process with 12C as the target element is simulated and calculated. The results show that the simulated characteristic energy spectrum of NRF signal is consistent with the theory, the designed background shielding scheme meets the needs of NRF signal identification and detection, and the simulated signal-to-noise ratio data provides the basis for the experiment.

This study aims to investigate the effects and the underlying mechanism of Huangqi Shengmai Decoction(HQSMD) in the treatment of fatigue and myocardial injury in a joint rat model. Wistar rats were assigned into 4 groups: sham, model, diltiazem hydrochloride(positive control), and HQSMD. The joint model of fatigue and myocardial injury was established by 14-day exhausted swimming followed by high ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. The rats in the sham group underwent a sham operation without coronary artery ligation or swimming. Since the fourth day after the ligation, swimming was continued in the model group and the drug-treated groups for the following 4 weeks. Meanwhile, the rats in the positive control group and the HQSMD group were respectively administrated intragastrically with diltiazem hydrochloride(20 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) and HQSMD(0.95 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)) for 4 weeks, while the shams and the models were given the same volume of normal saline. The left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS), grip strength, and myocardial pathophysiological changes were measured to evaluate the anti-fatigue and cardioprotective effects of HQSMD. The protein levels of PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1) and parkin in the myocardium were measured by Western blot to preliminarily elucidate the mechanism of HQSMD in ameliorating myocardial injury by suppressing mitochondrial autophagy. Compared with the shams, the models showed weakened heart function(LVEF and LVFS, Plt;0.01), decreased grasping ability(Plt;0.05), elevated blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and aldosterone(ALD) levels(Plt;0.01), aggravated myocardial fibrosis and connective tissue hyperplasia(Plt;0.01), and up-regulated protein levels of PINK1(Plt;0.01) and parkin(Plt;0.05). Four-week treatment with HQSMD increased the LVEF and LVFS levels(Plt;0.01), enhanced the grip strength(Plt;0.01), reduced the serum levels of BUN(Plt;0.01) and ALD(Plt;0.05), alleviated the pathological injury and fibrosis in the myocardium(Plt;0.01), and down-regulated the protein levels of PINK1(Plt;0.01) and parkin(Plt;0.05) in heart tissue. The results demonstrate that HQSMD may alleviate myocardial fibrosis and protect myocardium by suppressing the excessive mitochondrial auto-phagic activity and reducing the excessively elevated ALD level, thereby ameliorating fatigue and myocardial injury.

Methods for predicting the prognosis of patients undergoing surgery for recurrent hepatolithiasis after biliary surgery are currently lacking.To establish a nomogram to predict the prognosis of patients with recurrent hepatolithiasis after biliary surgery.In this multicenter, retrospective study, data of consecutive patients in four large medical centers who underwent surgery for recurrent hepatolithiasis after biliary surgery were retrospectively analyzed. We constructed a nomogram to predict the prognosis of recurrent hepatolithiasis in a training cohort of 299 patients, following which we independently tested the nomogram in an external validation cohort of 142 patients. Finally, we used the concordance index (C-index), calibra-tion, area under curve, decision curve analysis, clinical impact curves, and visual fit indices to evaluate the accuracy of the nomogram.Multiple previous surgeries [2 surgeries: Odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 1.451 (0.719-2.932); 3 surgeries: 4.573 (2.015-10.378); ≥ 4 surgeries: 5.741 (1.347-24.470)], bilateral hepatolithiasis [1.965 (1.039-3.717)], absence of immediate clearance [2.398 (1.304-4.409)], neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio ≥ 2.462 [1.915 (1.099-3.337)], and albumin-to-globulin ratio ≤ 1.5 [1.949 (1.056-3.595)] were found to be independent factors influencing the prognosis. The nomogram constructed on the basis of these variables showed good reliability in the training (C-index: 0.748) and validation (C-index: 0.743) cohorts. Compared with predictions using traditional classification models, those using our nomogram showed better agreement with actual observations in the calibration curve for the probability of endpoints and the receiver operating characteristic curve. Dichloroacetate and clinical impact curves showed a larger net benefit of the nomogram.The nomogram developed in this study demonstrated superior performance and discriminative power compared to the three traditional classifications. It is easy to use, highly accurate, and shows excellent calibration.

BACKGROUND Previous nomograms for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) did not include the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) or platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). This study aimed to establish an effective nomogram capable of estimating the association between preoperative inflammatory factors and overall survival (OS) of HCC patients after hepatectomy. AIM To analyse the factors affecting the prognosis of HCC and establish a nomogram. METHODS A total of 626 HCC patients (410 training set patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University and 216 validation set patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China) underwent hepatectomy from January 2014 to December 2017 and were followed up every 3–6 mo. The nomogram was based on OS-related independent risk factors identified by Cox regression analysis. The C-index, calibration curve, and area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the nomogram’s accuracy. RESULTS The 1-, 2- and 3-year OS rates were 79.0%, 68.0% and 45.4% in the training cohort (median OS = 34 mo) and 92.1%, 73.9% and 51.2% in the validation cohort (median OS = 38 mo). Higher α-fetoprotein [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.812, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.343–2.444], NLR (HR = 2.480, 95%CI: 1.856–3.312) and PLR (HR = 1.974, 95%CI: 1.490–2.616), tumour size ≥ 5 cm (HR = 1.323, 95%CI: 1.002–1.747), and poor differentiation (HR = 3.207, 95%CI: 1.944–5.290) were significantly associated with shortened OS. The developed nomogram integrating these variables showed good reliability in both the training (C-index = 0.71) and validation cohorts (C-index = 0.75). For predicting 1-, 2- and 3-year OS, the nomogram had AUCs of 0.781, 0.743 and 0.706 in the training cohort and 0.789, 0.815 and 0.813 in the validation cohort. The nomogram was more accurate in predicting prognosis than the AJCC TNM staging system. CONCLUSION The prognostic nomogram combining pathological characteristics and inflammation indicators could provide a more accurate individualized risk estimate for the OS of HCC patients with hepatectomy.

Er-xian Decoction (EXD) is a well-known prescription widely used to prevent and treat climacteric syndrome and osteoporosis in China. BK channel positively affects osteoblast bone formation in vitro. However, it is still unclear whether the effect of EXD on promoting osteoblasts osteogenic differentiation is related to BK channel.The study is aimed at determining whether the EXD-containing serum promotes the proliferation of osteoblasts and their differentiation through BK channel.The chemical compounds of EXD were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. An osteogenic induction medium (OM) was used to induce MC3T3-E1 cells' osteogenic differentiation. The effects of EXD-containing serum and tetraethylammonium (TEA) on the proliferation activity of Mc3t3-e1 cells were detected by CCK-8 assay. ALP activity was determined by an alkaline phosphatase kit. The protein expression (BMP2, OPG, and COL1) was analyzed by Western blot, and the mRNA expression (Runx2, OPG, and BMP2) was assessed by real-time PCR. Alizarin red was used to stain the mineralized region of osteoblasts. In addition, we analyzed the relationship between BK channel and its downstream PTEN/Akt/Foxo1 signaling pathway.72 compounds were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS analysis in EXD. Mangiferin, ferulic acid, berberine, and icariin were main active components of EXD. EXD-containing serum could enhance the cell viability of MC3T3-E1 cells by decreasing the expression of BKα protein. EXD-containing serum increased ALP activity and calcium nodule formation of Mc3t3-e1 cells, promoted the protein expression of BKα, COL1, BMP2, OPG, and the mRNA expression of RUNX2, OPG, and BMP2, however, these effects can be reversed after adding TEA. In addition, EXD-containing serum could upregulate phosphorylation of Akt and Foxo1 in osteogenic-induced Mc3t3-e1 cells, and lower the expression of PTEN. And these effects of EXD-containing serum could be reduced by TEA.The effect of EXD-containing serum on promoting cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of Mc3t3-e1 cells might be linked to the regulation of BK channel.

The aim of present work is to develop a crystal plasticity modeling approach to integrate slip, dynamic recrystallization (DRX) and grain boundary sliding (GBS) for simulating the deformation behavior and texture evolution of magnesium alloys at high temperatures. Firstly, the deformation mechanisms of an AZ31B Mg alloy sheet at 300 °C were investigated by examining texture and microstructure evolution during uniaxial tension and compression tests. DRX refines microstructure at strains less than 0.2, and subsequently GBS plays a significant role during deformation process. A GBS model is developed to evaluate strain and grain rotation induced by GBS, and implemented into the polycrystal plasticity framework VPSC. The VPSC-DRX-GBS model can well reproduce the stress−strain curves, grain size, texture evolution and significant texture differences in tension and compression tests due to GBS. The calculated GBS contribution ratio in tension is obviously higher than that in compression due to easier cavity nucleation at grain boundaries under tension loading.

Background: The role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-associated long-stranded non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in pancreatic cancer is unclear. Therefore, we analysed the characteristics and tumour microenvironment in pancreatic cancer and determined the value of m6A-related lncRNAs for prognosis and drug target prediction.Methods: An m6A-lncRNA co-expression network was constructed using The Cancer Genome Atlas database to screen m6A-related lncRNAs. Prognosis-related lncRNAs were screened using univariate Cox regression; patients were divided into high- and low-risk groups and randomised into training and test groups. In the training group, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used for regression analysis and to construct a prognostic model, which was validated in the test group. Tumour mutational burden (TMB), immune evasion, and immune function of risk genes were analysed using R; drug sensitivity and potential drugs were examined using the Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer database.Results: We screened 129 m6A-related lncRNAs; 17 prognosis-related m6A-related lncRNAs were obtained using multivariate analysis and three m6A-related lncRNAs (AC092171.5, MEG9, AC002091.1) were screened using LASSO regression. Survival rates were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the low-risk than in the high-risk group. Risk score was an independent predictor affecting survival (P < 0.001), with the highest risk score being obtained by calculating the c-index. The TMB significantly differed between the high- and low-risk groups (P < 0.05). In the high- and low-risk groups, mutations were detected in 61 of 70 samples and 49 of 71 samples, respectively, with KRAS, TP53, and SMAD4 showing the highest mutation frequencies in both groups. A lower survival rate was observed in patients with a high versus low TMB. Immune function HLA, Cytolytic activity, and Inflammation-promoting, T cell co-inhibition, Check-point, and T cell co-stimulation significantly differed in different subgroups (P < 0.05). Immune evasion scores were significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group. Eight sensitive drugs were screened: ABT.888, ATRA, AP.24534, AG.014699, ABT.263, axitinib, A.443654, and A.770041.Conclusions: We screened m6A-related lncRNAs using bioinformatics, constructed a prognosis-related model, explored TMB and immune function differences in pancreatic cancer, and identified potential therapeutic agents, providing a foundation for further studies of pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment.

A dichlorido-bridged dinuclear dysprosium(III) single-molecule magnet [Dy2 L2 (μ-Cl)2 (thf)2 ] has been made by using a diamine-bis(phenolate) ligand, H2 L. Magnetic studies show an energy barrier for magnetisation reversal (Ueff ) around 1000 K. An exchange-biasing effect is clearly seen in magnetic hysteresis with steps up to 3 K. Ab initio calculations exclude the possibility of a pure dipolar origin of this effect leading to the conclusion that super-exchange through the chloride bridging ligands is important.

A range of pyrazolate-based ligands have been used to balance the multidentate-chelating feature and the magnetic axiality in “destroyed” pentagonal-bipyramidal (DPB) dysprosium(III) single-molecule magnets (SMMs). This family of complexes are air-stable and share the general formulae of [DyX1X2(Leq)5][BPh4], where X1 and X2 are the anionic axial ligands, including pyrazolate-based ligands and chloride; Leq is the equatorial solvent molecule such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), pyridine (py) and thiazole (NS). Compared to the prototype PB SMMs, the bidentate-chelating features of the pyrazolate ligands show, albeit slow magnetic relaxation behavior, a much smaller energy barrier for magnetization reversal (Ueff). Static electronic calculation shows that the magnetic axiality above the ground mJ = ±15/2 states has been much reduced, leading to the mixing of other states at higher levels. Nevertheless, this systematic study reveals that the variation of the substituents on the pyrazolate ligands and the replacement of planar solvents are effective at influencing the magnetic relaxation behavior. We found that the chloride coordinating mono-pyrazolate complexes, such as [DyX1Cl(THF)5][BPh4] (X1 = 3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole (tfpz) 1, X1 = 3-methylpyrazole (Mepz) 2, X1 = 3-isopropyl-1H-pyrazole (Iprpz) 3, X1 = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole (Me2pz) 4, X1 = 3,5-diisopropylpyrazole (Ipr2pz) 5, and X1 = pyrazole (pz) 6, generally show lower Ueff, while bi-pyrazolate complexes, such as [Dy(tfpz)2(THF)5][BPh4] 7, [Dy(pz)2(THF)5][BPh4] 8, [Dy(pz)2(py)5][BPh4]·2py 9 and [Dy(pz)2(NS)5][BPh4] 10, show higher Ueff. Among them, 8 shows the largest Ueff of 521(8) K and a comparable open hysteresis temperature of ∼5 K (at a field sweeping rate of 12 Oe s−1) with 9 and 10. The enhanced blocking temperature for 8 is different from that for the PB Dy(III) SMMs in which the py ligand can cause a much higher hysteresis temperature than the one coordinated with THF due to the aromatic π–π interactions, indicating that the bis-bidentate-chelating Dy(III) ion is rigid enough to reduce the influence from the equatorial ligands. Moreover, substitution with electron-withdrawing groups such as the −CF3 group reduces Ueff prominently. Such a clear magnetostructural correlation in Dy(III) SMMs is fundamentally important, indicating that a subtle balance between magnetic axiality and molecular rigidity is critical to design high-performance Dy(III) SMMs.

Eight-coordinated DyIII centres with D6h symmetry are expected to act as high-performance single-molecule magnets (SMMs) due to the simultaneous fulfilment of magnetic axiality and a high coordination number (a requisite for air stability). But the experimental realization is challenging due to the requirement of six coordinating atoms in the equatorial plane of the hexagonal bipyramid; this is usually too crowded for the central DyIII ion. Here a hexaaza macrocyclic Schiff base ligand and finetuned axial alkoxide/phenol-type ligands are used to show that a family of hexagonal bipyramidal DyIII complexes can be isolated. Among them, three complexes possess nearly perfect D6h local symmetry. The highest effective magnetic reversal barrier is found at 1338(3) K and an open hysteresis temperature of 6 K at the field sweeping rate of 1.2 mT s-1 ; this represents a new record for D6h SMMs.

tRNAs harbor the most diverse posttranscriptional modifications. The 3-methylcytidine (m3C) is widely distributed at position C32 (m3C32) of eukaryotic tRNAThr and tRNASer species. m3C32 is decorated by the single methyltransferase Trm140 in budding yeasts; however, two (Trm140 and Trm141 in fission yeasts) or three enzymes (METTL2A, METTL2B and METTL6 in mammals) are involved in its biogenesis. The rationale for the existence of multiple m3C32 methyltransferases and their substrate discrimination mechanism is hitherto unknown. Here, we revealed that both METTL2A and METTL2B are expressed in vivo. We purified human METTL2A, METTL2B, and METTL6 to high homogeneity. We successfully reconstituted m3C32 modification activity for tRNAThr by METT2A and for tRNASer(GCU) by METTL6, assisted by seryl-tRNA synthetase (SerRS) in vitro. Compared with METTL2A, METTL2B exhibited dramatically lower activity in vitro. Both G35 and t6A at position 37 (t6A37) are necessary but insufficient prerequisites for tRNAThr m3C32 formation, while the anticodon loop and the long variable arm, but not t6A37, are key determinants for tRNASer(GCU) m3C32 biogenesis, likely being recognized synergistically by METTL6 and SerRS, respectively. Finally, we proposed a mutually exclusive substrate selection model to ensure correct discrimination among multiple tRNAs by multiple m3C32 methyltransferases.

Two-dimensional (2D) solar coronal magnetogram is difficult to be measured directly until now. From the previous knowledge, a general relation has been noticed that the brighter green-line brightness for corona, the higher coronal magnetic field intensity may correspond to. To try to further reveal the relationship between coronal green line brightness and magnetic field intensity, we use the 2D coronal images observed by Yunnan Observatories Green-line Imaging System (YOGIS) of the 10 cm Lijiang coronagraph and the coronal magnetic field maps calculated from the current-free extrapolations with the photospheric magnetograms taken by Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) spacecraft. In our analysis, we identified the coronal loop structures and construct two-dimensional maps of the corresponding magnetic field intensity in the plane of the sky (POS) above the limb. We derive the correlation coefficients between the coronal brightness and the magnetic field intensity for different heights of coronal layers. We further use a linear combination of a Gaussian and a quadratic profile to fit the correlation coefficients distribution, finding a largest correlation coefficient of 0.82 near 1.1 R ⊙ (solar radii) where is almost the top of the closed loop system. For the small closed loop system identified, the correlation coefficient distributions crossing and covering the loop are calculated. We also investigate the correlation with extended heliocentric latitude zones and long period of one whole Carrington Rotation, finding again that the maximum correlation coefficient occurs at the same height. It is the first time for us to find that the correlation coefficients are high (all are larger than 0.8) at the loop-tops and showing poor correlation coefficients with some fluctuations near the feet of the coronal loops. Our findings indicate that, for the heating of the low-latitude closed loops, both DC (dissipation of currents) and AC (dissipation of Alfvén and magnetosonic waves) mechanisms should act simultaneously on the whole closed loop system while the DC mechanisms dominate in the loop-top regions. Therefore, in the distributions of the correlation coefficients with different heights of coronal layers, for both large- and small-scale latitude ranges, the coefficients can reach their maximum values at the same coronal height of 1.1 R ⊙, which may indicate the particular importance of the height of closed loops for studying the coupling of the local emission mechanism and the coronal magnetic fields, which maybe helpful for studying the origin of the low-speed solar wind.

The intensity of the green line (Fe xiv 5303 Å) is the strongest in the visible spectrum of the solar corona, and this line has been used as long-term powerful diagnostic tools for studying the coronal configurations and hot plasma dynamics. However, it remains unclear and an open question whether there exists close relationship between the green line intensities and the coronal extreme ultraviolet (EUV) line emissions for various coronal structures. In this paper, we use the green-line data by the Lijiang YOGIS Lyot coronagraph and the EUV data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly instruments in order to perform direct comparisons and analyses, based on two algorithms developed to extract particular features in the low corona. It is found that, among the correlation coefficients obtained between the intensities of 5303 Å and the EUV lines, the coefficients between the green line and the 211 Å wavelength for different coronal structures and different limb locations always keep the highest values (ranging from 0.89 to 0.99), which has not been reported before. This result can be helpful and promising to link together the various physical processes involved at different heights in the corona by precisely tracking the bright loops or other features observed in 5303 Å above the limb down to the correct surface locations revealed by the 211 Å data. Furthermore, the ground-based observations of the coronal green line and the space-based EUV observations at 211 Å can advantageously complement each other when there is a need.

In this paper, a series of Ca2LaNbO6 (CLN):Mn4+ far-red phosphors with different doping concentration were successfully prepared by traditional high temperature solid state method at 1250 °C. The samples were characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–Vis DRS), temperature-dependent emission spectra and internal quantum efficiency (IQE). The particle size of CLN is

Systematic substituent variations on amidinate ligands bring delicate changes of CrN4 coordination in a family of chromium(II) complexes with the common formula of Cr(RNC(CH3)NR)2, where R = iPr (1), Cy (2), Dipp (Dipp = 2, 6-diisopropylphenyl) (3), and tBu (4). With the largest substituent group, 4 shows the largest distortion of the N4 coordination geometry from square-planar to seesaw shape, which leads to its field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior. This is an indication that 4 has the strongest axial magnetic anisotropy and/or optimized magnetic relaxation process. Combined with high-frequency/field electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR) experiments and ab initio calculations, we deduce that the smallest energy gap between ground 4Ψ0 and the first excited 4Ψ1 orbitals in 4 contributes the most to its strongest magnetic anisotropy. Moreover, the lower E value of 4 ensures its being a field-induced SMM. Specifically, the D and E values were found to be correlated to the dihedral angle between the ΔN1CrN2 and ΔN3CrN4 triangles, indicating that distortion from ideal square-planar geometry to the seesaw help increase axial magnetic anisotropy and suppress the transversal part. Thus, the study on this system not only expands the family of Cr(II)-based SMMs but also contributes to a deeper understanding of magneto-structural correlation in four-coordinate Cr(II) SMMs.

Here we report stable

A dichlorido-bridged dinuclear dysprosium(III) single-molecule magnet [Dy2L2(µ-Cl)2(THF)2] has been made using a diamine-bis(phenolate) ligand, H2L. Magnetic studies show an energy barrier for magnetization reversal (Ueff) around 1000 K. Exchange-biasing effect is clearly seen in magnetic hysteresis with steps up to 4 K. Ab initio calculations exclude the possibility of pure dipolar origin of this effect leading to the conclusion that super-exchange via the chloride bridging ligands is important.

Eight-coordinated Dy

Natural deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were investigated as potential green extraction solvents in the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of flavonoids from Rubia truppeliana and R. cordifolia fruit. Lactic acid was selected as the optimal hydrogen bond donor for five solvents in the screening of DESs. To optimize the extraction of Rubia fruit flavonoids using DES and UAE, a Box–Behnken experimental design was developed. The optimal conditions were: liquid–solid ratio, 30; extraction temperature, 70 °C; and extraction time, 40 min. The corresponding yields were 49.41 mg/g for total flavonoids from Rubia truppeliana (TFT) and 55.15 mg/g for that of Rubia cordifolia (TFC). The extracts obtained under the optimum extraction conditions showed excellent antioxidant activities in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The results demonstrated that the extraction using DES and UAE is an eco-friendly method for the extraction of flavonoids from Rubia fruit.

Red phosphors NaLa1−x Mg0.92Ca0.08WO6:xSm3+ (x = 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06, and 0.07) were synthesized by a conventional solid-state reaction route. The XRD patterns, photoluminescence spectra, ultraviolet–visible reflection spectroscopy, decay time and the CIE chromaticity coordinates of these compounds were characterized and analyzed. The emission spectra of the NaLaMg0.92Ca0.08WO6:Sm3+ phosphors consisted of some sharp emission peaks of Sm3+ ions centered at 563, 601, and 646 nm. The strongest one is located at 646 nm due to 4G5/2–6H9/2 transition of Sm3+, generating bright red light. The optimum dopant concentration of Sm3+ ions in NaLaMg0.92Ca0.08WO6:Sm3+ is 6 mol%. The CIE chromaticity coordinates of the NaLaMg0.92Ca0.08WO6:Sm3+ phosphors were located in the red region. The NaLaMg0.92Ca0.08WO6:Sm3+ phosphors may be potentially used as red phosphors for white light-emitting diodes and displays.

High-throughput screening (HTS) is the dominant approach to identify lead compounds in drug development. However, most compound-screening collections provide little structural or stereochemical complexity, which do not offer enough diversity to merit the modulation of many drug targets. Here we describe a facile strategy for the creation of diverse compounds with high structural and stereochemical complexity using readily available natural products, β-caryophyllene, as a synthetic starting point. Our findings demonstrate that a cascaded Beckmann-transannular protocol transforms macrocyclic natural products into poly-heterocyclic unnatural skeletal types. These compounds are significantly more complex and diverse than those in standard screening collections.

Local eight-coordination of the Dy(III) with D6h symmetry receives much expectation for high-performance single-molecule magnets (SMMs) due to the simultaneous fulfillment of the magnetic axiality and high coordination number (a requisite for the air stability). But the experimental realization is challenging due to the required restriction of six coordination atoms in the equatorial plane of the hexagonal-bipyramid, which is usually too crowded for the central Dy(III) ion. Here we show by using the hexaaza macrocyclic Schiff base ligand and fine-tuning the axial alkoxide/phenol type ligands, a family of hexagonal-bipyramidal Dy(III) complexes, namely [DyIII(L)(Cl)2(H2O/CH3OH)]Cl 1, [DyIII(L)(C6F5O)2(H2O)](BPh4)·2, [DyIII(L)(PhO)2](BPh4) 3, [DyIII(L)(4-MeO-PhO)2](BPh4) 4, [DyIII(L)(naPhO)2](BPh4) 5 and [DyIII(L)(Ph3SiO)2](BPh4) 6 , can be isolated. Among them, complexes 3, 4 and 5 possess nearly perfect D6h local symmetry. Complex 4 shows the highest effective magnetic reversal barrier 1338 K and an open hysteresis temperature 6 K at the field sweeping rate of 1.2 mT/s, which represents a new record for D6h SMMs.

Background:Little is known about the impacts of schizophrenia on different types of caregiving burden.Aim:This study aims to examine how the severity of schizophrenia, social functioning and aggressive behavior are associated with caregiving burden across different kinship types.Method:The analytic sample included 300 dyads of persons with schizophrenia and their family caregivers in Xinjin, Chengdu, China. The 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) was utilized to identify the patients, whose symptom severity, social functioning and aggressive behavior were measured. Caregiving burden was estimated using the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers–short (BSFC-s).Results:A higher level of burden was significantly associated with female caregivers, larger family size, lower income, worse symptoms, poorer functional status and more aggressive behaviors. Parent caregivers showed greater burden if the patients had better functioning of social interest and concern or more aggression toward property. Mother caregivers showed greater burden than fathers. Spouses tended to perceive greater burden if the patients had better marital functioning, poorer occupational functioning or more aggressive behaviors toward property. Patients attacking others or a father with schizophrenia was related to a higher burden of child caregivers. A heavier burden of other relatives was correlated with patients’ more verbal aggression and self-harm.Conclusion:This study shows the distinct impacts of disease-related factors on the caregiving burden across different kinship types. Our findings have implications for health-care professionals and practitioners in terms of developing more targeted family-based or individualized intervention to ameliorate burden according to kinship types and deal with behavioral and functional problems in schizophrenia.

We report a dichlorido-bridged dinuclear dysprosium(III) single-molecule magnet [Dy(Cy2N)2(μ-Cl)(THF)]2 which shows an effective energy barrier for magnetization reversal (Ueff) of ca. 623 K. This is by far the largest Ueff barrier for any chlorido-bridged lanthanide single-molecule magnet. We observe two relaxation processes with near-identical temperature dependencies, one of which disappears upon magnetic dilution. We suspect that these two processes are the isolated and coupled relaxation processes.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of total anthocyanin (TA) and total phenolics (TP) from Rubia sylvatica Nakai fruit (RSF) was optimized using response surface methodology. On the basis of a single-factor experiment, six factors were screened using a Plackett-Burman experimental design to determine the variables that significantly influence the extraction yield of TA and TP, namely ultrasound power, liquid: solid ratio, ethanol concentration, pH value, extraction temperature, and extraction duration. Based on statistical significance analysis, ethanol concentration, pH value, and extraction temperature were selected for further optimization of the extraction process using a Box–Behnken design. Under the optimum conditions, yields of TA and TP were 22.50 ± 0.89 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside/g RSF and 36.20 ± 0.11 mg gallic acid/g RSF, respectively. The extract prepared under UAE exhibited excellent DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 1.21 ± 0.04 mg/mL). The results demonstrate that R. sylvatica fruit are rich in anthocyanins and show considerable potential as a source of colorants for use in the food industry.

A series of [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text] = 0.0005, 0.001, 0.003, 0.005, 0.007, 0.009) phosphors were prepared by traditional solid-state method at high temperature. The structure and morphology of the samples were analyzed. The results showed that the prepared [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] phosphors were uniformly dispersed and the particle size was less than 5 [Formula: see text]m. [Formula: see text] phosphors have the strongest excitation peak at 351 nm, which is caused by the [Formula: see text] transition of [Formula: see text] ions. The strongest emission peak is at 697 nm, which is due to the [Formula: see text] level transition of [Formula: see text]. The optimum doping concentration is 0.5 mol.% and the mechanism of concentration quenching is the dipole–dipole interaction between [Formula: see text] ions. Importantly, [Formula: see text] sample has good thermal stability ([Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] = 48.3%). In addition, the color coordinates of all samples were concentrated in the far-red region (0.733, 0.267). The above results indicate that [Formula: see text] sample has potential application value in the field of white light-emitting diodes ([Formula: see text]-LEDs).

The application of biochar made from crop straw to soil has already become a research hotspot in the field of agriculture at home and abroad, because it can increase crop production capacity with specific environmental benefits. This review summarized the progress of recent research regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of biochar on crop growth, with particular emphasis on the interactions between crop roots and biochar in soil. The biological effects of the interactions between fertilizer and biochar application and the probable mechanisms underlying the synergistic effect were discussed. The current work proposed the prospects of biochar in agriculture and would promote the relative researches in China. The recent researches indicated that auxin and related signaling molecules play a key role in the growth stimulation in response to biochar application by promoting the expression of genes controlling cell expansion, loosening of the cell wall, and membrane transport for water and nutrients. Biochar and its interaction with plant roots could directly or indirectly influence the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil, which would regulate the function and synergistic effects of biochar coupled with fertilizer.利用秸秆型生物炭进行还田改土不仅具有提升作物产量的潜力,而且能够产生明显的环境效益,现已成为当今国内外农业领域的研究热点.本文综述了近年来国内外有关生物炭添加影响作物生长的分子调控机制研究,尤其关注了生物炭与作物根系的互作效应;介绍了生物炭与化肥混施的生物学效应及可能的增效机制;展望了今后的研究方向,以期促进我国相关领域的研究.国内外的最新研究表明:生物炭土壤添加改善植物生长的关键是生长素相关信号转导分子,通过促进植物细胞扩增、细胞壁松弛、水及营养的转运等相关基因的表达,有利于植物的新陈代谢及生长.生物炭及其与根系的相互作用能够直接或间接地影响土壤物理、化学、生物因子,从而在炭、肥互作增效过程中起主导调控作用.

Thermal expansion of ball screw system affects the machining accuracy of machine tools significantly. The objective of this paper is to analyze the thermal behavior and predict the temperature variation pattern of a ball screw based on finite element analysis and experimental investigation. Wireless temperature sensors are used to monitor the temperature variation of the ball screw system under different thermal conditions during both the warm-up and cooldown phases, so as to investigate its temperature variation pattern. Then an exponential algorithm is proposed to analyze and predict the temperature variation of the ball screw based on finite element analysis, and the actual thermal boundary conditions of the ball screw system are exactly defined according to the proposed algorithm and the experimental results. Finally, it was found that the simulation based on the thermal boundary conditions identified herein could match quite well with the experimental results.