Thermal pretreatment of willow branches impacts yield and pore development of activated carbon in subsequent activation with ZnCl_(2) via modifying cellulose structure

Development of pore structures of activated carbon(AC)from activation of biomass with ZnCl_(2) relies on content and structure of cellulose/hemicellulose in the feedstock.Thermal pretreatment of biomass could induce dehydration and/or aromatization to change the structure of cellulose/hemicellulose.This might interfere with evolution of structures of AC,which was investigated herein via thermal pretreatment of willow branch(WB)from 200 to 360℃and the subsequent activation with ZnCl_(2) at 550℃.The results showed that thermal pretreatment at 360℃(WB-360)could lead to substantial pyrolysis to form biochar,with a yield of 31.9%,accompanying with nearly complete destruction of cellulose crystals and remarkably enhanced aromatic degree.However,cellulose residual in WB-360 could still be activated to form AC-360 with specific surface area of 1837.9 m~2·g^(-1),which was lower than that in AC from activation of untreated WB(AC-blank,2077.8 m~2·g^(-1)).Nonetheless,the AC-200 from activation of WB-200 had more developed pores(2113.9 m~2·g^(-1))and superior capability for adsorption of phenol,due to increased permeability of ZnCl_(2) to the largely intact cellulose structure in WB-200.The thermal pretreatment did increase diameters of micropores of AC but reduced the overall yield of AC(26.8%for AC-blank versus 18.0%for AC-360),resulting from accelerated cracking but reduced intensity of condensation.In-situ infrared characterization of the activation showed that ZnCl_(2) mainly catalyzed dehydration,dehydrogenation,condensation,and aromatization but not cracking,suppressing the formation of derivatives of cellulose and lignin in bio-oil.The thermal pretreatment formed phenolic-OH and C=O with higher chemical innerness,which changed the reaction network in activation,shifting morphology of fibrous structures in AC-blank to“melting surface”in AC-200 or AC-280.

Low Gilbert damping in Bi/In-doped YIG thin films with giant Faraday effect

Magnetic films with low Gilbert damping are crucial for magnonic devices,which provide a promising platform forrealizing ultralow-energy devices.In this study,low Gilbert damping and coercive field were observed in Bi/In-dopedyttrium iron garnet(BiIn:YIG)thin films.The BiIn:YIG(444)films were deposited onto different substrates using pulsedlaser deposition.Low coercivity(<1 Oe)with saturation magnetization of 125.09 emu/cc was achieved along the in-planedirection of BiIn:YIG film.The values of Gilbert damping and inhomogeneous broadening of ferromagnetic resonance inBiIn:YIG films were obtained to be as low as 4.05×10^(-4)and 5.62 Oe,respectively.In addition to low damping,the giantFaraday rotation angles(up to 2.9×10^(4)deg/cm)were also observed in the BiIn:YIG film.By modifying the magneticstructure and coupling effect between Bi^(3+)and Fe^(3+)of Bi:YIG,doped In^(3+)plays a key role on variation of the magneticproperties.The low damping and giant Faraday effect made the BiIn:YIG film an appealing candidate for magnonic andmagneto-optical devices.

Decreased levels of phosphorylated synuclein in plasma are correlated with poststroke cognitive impairment

Poststro ke cognitive impairment is a major secondary effect of ischemic stroke in many patients;however,few options are available for the early diagnosis and treatment of this condition.The aims of this study were to(1)determine the specific relationship between hypoxic andα-synuclein during the occur of poststroke cognitive impairment and(2)assess whether the serum phosphorylatedα-synuclein level can be used as a biomarker for poststro ke cognitive impairment.We found that the phosphorylatedα-synuclein level was significantly increased and showed pathological aggregation around the cerebral infa rct area in a mouse model of ischemic stroke.In addition,neuronalα-synuclein phosphorylation and aggregation were observed in the brain tissue of mice subjected to chronic hypoxia,suggesting that hypoxia is the underlying cause ofα-synuclein-mediated pathology in the brains of mice with ischemic stroke.Serum phosphorylatedα-synuclein levels in patients with ischemic stroke were significantly lower than those in healt hy subjects,and were positively correlated with cognition levels in patients with ischemic stroke.Furthermore,a decrease in serum high-density lipoprotein levels in stroke patie nts was significantly correlated with a decrease in phosphorylatedα-synuclein levels.Although ischemic stroke mice did not show significant cognitive impairment or disrupted lipid metabolism 14 days after injury,some of them exhibited decreased cognitive function and reduced phosphorylatedα-synuclein levels.Taken together,our results suggest that serum phosphorylatedα-synuclein is a potential biomarker for poststroke cognitive impairment.

Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Huaju Qingli Formula in metabolic syndrome patients with microalbuminuria:a randomized placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND： Microalbuminuria （MAU） is a key component of metabolic syndrome （MetS） and is an early sign of diabetic nephropathy as well. Although routine Western medicine treatments are given to MetS patients to control high blood pressure, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, some patients still experience progressive renal lesions and it is necessary to modify and improve the treatment strategy for MetS patients. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the efficacy of Yiqi Huaju Qingli Herb Formula, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in MetS patients with MAU when it is combined with routine Western medicine treatment. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS： Sixty patients with MetS were randomized into the Chinese herbal formula group （CHF, Yiqi Huaju Qingli formula treatment in combination with Western medicine） and control group （placebo in combination with Western medicine）. All treatments were administered for 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Urinary microalbumin （MA）, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio （UACR）, 24-hour total urine protein （24-hTP）, body mass index （BMI）, waist circumference （WC）, waist-to-hip ratio （WHR）, fasting plasma glucose （FPG）, 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose （2-hPPG）, glycosylated hemoglobin （HbAlc）, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）, blood lipid profile and blood pressure were observed. RESULTS： Compared with the control group, CHF treatment significantly decreased BMI （P〈0.05）, WC （P〈0.01） and WHR （P〈0.01）. Both groups had significant decreases in FPG, 2-hPPG, HbAlc, HOMA-IR, MA, and UACR, with CHF treatment showing better effects on these parameters compared with the control treatment （P〈0.05）. Both treatments significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerol （TAG）, and a greater reduction in TAG was observed with CHF treatment （P〈0.05）. The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not change in the control group after treatment （P〉0.05）, whereas it significantly increased with CHF treatment （P〈0.01）. Compared with before the treatment, significant decreases in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial blood pressure were observed in both groups （P〈0.01）. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups （P〉0.05）. CONCLUSION： Combined treatment ofYiqi Huaju Qingli Formula and Western medicine significantly alleviated MAU, which may correlate with the improvement of insulin sensitivity and glucose and lipid metabolism. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER： This trial was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with the identifier ChiCTR-TRC-11001633.

Geological resources and environmental carrying capacity evaluation review,theory, and practice in China

Evaluations of resources and environmental carrying capacities (GRECC)are the premise of land space planning and use control.Resource allocations and environmental capacity are the basic conditions that restrict development in a region.In this paper,based on a systematic review of China's geological environment,groundwater resources,mineral resources,other geological resources and the environmental carrying capacity research status,the relationship between the natural resource environmental system and the socio-economic system is studied.Then a "coordination theory of resources and environmental carrying"is proposed.Next,on the basis of an evaluation experiment performed at different scales and for different types of regions,the technical methods for an evaluation of the geological resources and environmental carrying capacity at the regional (inter-provincial)and provincial scales in China are established for the first time.This paper presents a standardized method based on technical ideas, evaluation methods,and index systems for geological resource and environmental carrying capacity evaluation.Finally,an evaluation of the groundwater resource carrying capacity in China is used as an example for the demonstration of the groundwater resource background and use of state evaluation methods.

Outage Probability Minimization for Low-Altitude UAV-Enabled Full-Duplex Mobile Relaying Systems

In this paper, a novel unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)-enabled full duplex decode-and-forward(DF) technique is used in mobile relaying system. Compared with conventional static relaying, mobile relaying provides more degree of freedom for experiencing better channel conditions and further improving the system reliable performance. The source and relay transmit power as well as relay trajectory are jointly optimized for sum outage probability minimization in mobile relaying system. Due to the non-convex nature of the original problem, block coordinate decent optimization techniques are employed to decompose it into two sub-problems, which leads to an efficient iterative algorithm. Specifically, for the pre-determined relay trajectory, the optimal transmit power of source and relay are obtained by solving Karush-Kuhn-Tucker(KKT) conditions. For the given source/relay power allocation, the optimal UAV trajectory is obtained by solving dual problem. Based on the two steps, an iterative algorithm is proposed to jointly optimize source/relay power allocation and UAV trajectory alternately. Numerical results show the performance gain of our proposed scheme.

Assessment of optic nerve and optic tract alterations in patients with orbital space-occupying lesions using probabilistic diffusion tractography

AIM: To investigate the diffusion changes in both the optic nerve and optic tract in orbital space-occupying lesion patients with decreased visual acuity, and its clinical significance using probabilistic diffusion tractography(PDT). METHODS: Twenty patients with orbital space-occupying lesions and 25 age-and gender-matched healthy persons were included. All patients and controls underwent routine orbital magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging(DTI), using a 3.0 T magnetic resonance scanner(Trio Tim Siemens). After the image data were preprocessed, each DTI parameters of the optic nerve and optic tract was obtained by PDT, including fractional anisotropy(FA), mean diffusivity(MD), axial diffusivity(AD) and radial diffusivity(RD). The asymmetry index(AI) of each parameter was calculated. Compared the parameters of the affected side optic nerve and ipsilateral optic tract with the contralateral side by paired sample t-test;compared AI of parameters of optic nerve and optic tract between the patient group and the control group by independent sample t-test. Patients were divided into threesubgroups according to the low vision grade standard of WHO, compared the FA and AI of FA between the three subgroups by single factor variance analysis. RESULTS: The affected side optic nerve presented significantly decreased FA, increased MD, AD, and RD values compared to the unaffected side(P<0.05). The AI of FA, MD, AD, and RD of optic nerve in the patients was significantly higher than that of the controls(P<0.05). The comparison results of the optic tract showed that there was no significant difference between the patient group and control group in terms of the bilateral optic tracts in patients(P>0.05). The AIs of the FA value of the optic nerve in the eyesight <0.1 subgroup was significantly higher than that in the other groups(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: FA, MD, AD, and RD of the affected side optic nerve of the orbital space-occupying lesions have significantly changed, the FA value is the most sensitive. The PDT could be a useful tool to provide valid quantitative markers of optic nerve injuries and evaluate the severity of orbital diseases, which other examinations cannot be acquired.

Scleral TGF-β1 and Smad3 expression is altered by TCM Bu Jing Yi Shi Tablets in guinea pigs with form-deprivation myopia

Objective:To explore whether the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)Bu Jing Yi Shi Tablets alters the expression of scleral TGF-b1 and Smad3 in guinea pigs with formdeprivation myopia(FDM).Methods:Sixty-five guinea pigs were randomly divided into control,model,low-,medium-,and high-dose treatment groups.Except for the control group,FDM was induced by covering the right eye of each animal with opaque latex.The treatment groups were gavaged with different suspension concentrations of Bu Jing Yi Shi Tablets.Refraction and axial length were performed before and after myopia induction.At the end of the experiment,all right eyes were extracted,and scleral sections were prepared for staining and TGF-b1 and Smad3 immunohistochemistry.Scleral thickness and area,the scleral fibroblast quantity,and scleral TGFb1 and Smad3 expressions were measured.Results:The 5 FDM groups had the same initial axial length and diopter,the final diopter and axial length of the model group were significantly increased compared with the control group and treatment groups(P<.01).The axial length of each treatment group decreased as the dose decreased compared with the model group(P<.01);the total scleral area(P<.05 e.01)and the number of scleral fibroblasts(P<.01)in the model group were significantly lower than the treatment groups.Both the TGF-b1 and Smad3 integral optical densities in the model group were significantly lower than the control and medium-and high-dose treatment groups(P<.01).TGF-b1 and Smad3 mRNAs in the model group were decreased compared with the control group,but increased in expression after treatment.

Antenna Selection in Energy Harvesting Relaying Networks Using Q-Learning Algorithm

In this paper,a novel opportunistic scheduling(OS)scheme with antenna selection(AS)for the energy harvesting(EH)cooperative communication system where the relay can harvest energy from the source transmission is proposed.In this considered scheme,we take into both traditional mathematical analysis and reinforcement learning(RL)scenarios with the power splitting(PS)factor constraint.For the case of traditional mathematical analysis of a fixed-PS factor,we derive an exact closed-form expressions for the ergodic capacity and outage probability in general signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)regime.Then,we combine the optimal PS factor with performance metrics to achieve the optimal transmission performance.Subsequently,based on the optimized PS factor,a RL technique called as Q-learning(QL)algorithm is proposed to derive the optimal antenna selection strategy.To highlight the performance advantage of the proposed QL with training the received SNR at the destination,we also examine the scenario of QL scheme with training channel between the relay and the destination.The results illustrate that,the optimized scheme is always superior to the fixed-PS factor scheme.In addition,a better system parameter setting with QL significantly outperforms the traditional mathematical analysis scheme.

CuPc/FeNC双组分催化剂协同催化硝酸盐转化为氨

氨(NH_(3))作为重要的化学品和能源储存介质,需求量与日俱增.本文旨在通过电化学硝酸根还原反应(NO_(3)^(−)RR),将NO_(3)^(−)转化为NH3,不仅解决了NO_(3)^(−)引起的环境污染问题,又可以满足对NH_(3)的迫切需求.然而,NO_(3)^(−)RR涉及多个电子和质子转移过程,其中,NO_(2)^(−)是NO_(3)^(−)活化转化和深度还原合成NH_(3)的重要中间体.酞菁铜(CuPc)能够高效地活化转化NO_(3)^(−)为NO_(2)^(−),但在低过电位时无法有效地将NO2−还原为NH3,难以获得较高的氨法拉第效率(FENH3)和分电流密度.而氮配位的铁单原子催化剂(FeNC)则有较好的NO_(2)^(−)吸附活化特性.因此,利用双组分催化剂之间的协同作用以实现高效NO_(3)^(−)RR的活性和选择性是本文的主要研究思路.本文设计了CuPc/FeNC串联催化剂,利用CuPc和FeNC对NO_(3)^(−)和NO_(2)^(−)的吸附活化能力的差异,实现了高效的协同催化转化.X射线衍射、高角环形暗场扫描透射电镜、X射线光电子能谱及X射线吸收谱结果表明,FeNC催化剂中Fe原子均匀分布于ZIF-8热解后的基底.通过将FeNC和CuPc负载于气体扩散电极,在流动电解池中完成NO_(3)^(−)RR.CuPc/FeNC催化剂在较低电势区间中能够实现接近100%的NH3法拉第效率,同时在−0.57 V vs.RHE时达到273 mA cm–2的NH3分电流密度,并且在整个电势范围内有效地抑制了NO_(2)^(–)聚集.与单组分催化剂CuPc和FeNC对比结果表明,在−0.53 V vs.RHE时,CuPc/FeNC催化剂表现出较高的FE(NH_(3))/FE(NO_(2)^(−))比值,是CuPc催化剂的50倍;同时CuPc/FeNC催化剂上NH3分电流密度是FeNC催化剂的1.5倍.进一步研究了NO_(3)^(–)RR中的串联反应机制,其中FeNC催化剂表现出较高的NO_(2)^(–)RR活性,并且有效抑制了析氢反应.此外,CuPc/FeNC催化剂和FeNC催化剂在NO_(2)^(−)RR中表现出类似的NH3分电流密度,这表明在NO_(3)^(−)RR中,CuPc/FeNC催化剂性能的提高来源于FeNC位点能够进一步还原CuPc位点产生的NO_(2)^(–).理论计算结果表明,FeNC比CuPc表现出更强的NO_(2)^(–)吸附活化能力,说明NO_(2)^(−)在FeNC上更容易进行加氢还原.NO_(3)^(−)RR反应全路径分析结果表明,对于^(*)NO_(3)还原到*NO2过程,CuPc相对于FeNC位点具有明显降低的反应自由能,说明CuPc有利于NO_(2)^(−)的生成;而FeNC位点在后续的^(*)NO_(2)还原合成^(*)NH_(3)过程中具有更低的反应自由能,这与实验结果一致.一系列非原位和原位表征证明了CuPc催化剂在高电位下存在少量金属颗粒析出,与CuPc催化剂在高电位下NH_(3)分电流密度快速增加结果一致.综上,本工作中CuPc和FeNC催化剂之间的协同作用弥补了各自的不足,通过串联反应机制,在低过电位下有效增加了NH_(3)的法拉第效率和电流密度,实现了高效的协同催化转化,为设计和合成高效催化剂提供了新思路.

上海市胃食管反流病中医分级诊疗指南

胃食管反流病是临床常见病,在我国的患病率逐年上升,中医药诊治本病有一定的特色和优势,近年来也取得不少进展,但在基层医院中的应用推广仍不足.因此有必要制定市级中医分级诊疗方案以更好地指导临床实践.本指南由上海市中西医结合学会消化内镜专业委员会、上海市胃食管反流病中医专病联盟、上海市级医院消化内科临床能力促进与提升专科联盟组织我市本领域的有关专家组成专家委员会进行多轮讨论并投票,最终达成共识.

Study of an Early Silurian–Early Permian paleo-weathering profile in Zunyi, north Guizhou Province, China

To understand and help settle the controversy around the living time of Pinnatiramosus qianensis Geng, a paleo-weathering profile situated in the town of Yongle near the city of Zunyi, north Guizhou Province, China, was analyzed. The profile formed during a break in sedimentation between the Early Silurian and the Early Permian.Paleosol developed with a depth of several meters. The fossil plant P. qianensis Geng is present, but only in the lower portions(Layer 2) of the paleosol. Another plant with an irregularly branching system is found in Layers 2and 3. The distinct geochemical characteristics of the lower and upper portions of the Gaojiayan paleosol indicate a compound genesis. Its lower portions(Layers 1 and 2)resulted from in situ weathering of silty mudstone of the lower Silurian Hanjiadian Formation. The upper portions(Layer 3) are allochthonous. Transgression brought substantial concentrations K and Na, and led to K- and Naenrichment in the profile. Pumping of vascular plants and downward leaching enhanced the K enrichment in the middle portions. A superior preservation of P. qianensis Geng was observed in an exposure of Layer 2. Mass balance calculation indicates a great K enrichment related to bioaccumulation in the top of Layer 2 and a K loss in Layer3. Fossil plants(e.g., P. qianensis Geng) preserved in the paleosol are Permian rooting systems growing down into the lower Silurian rocks.

Observation of Enhanced Faraday Effect in Eu-Doped Ce:YIG Thin Films

Ce:YIG thin films are taken as an ideal candidate for magneto-optical devices with giant Faraday effect in the near-infrared range,but it is hindered by a limited Ce^(3+)/Ce^(4+)ratio and a high saturation driving field.To address this issue,Eu doping can increase the Faraday rotation angle by ~40% to 1.315×10^(4)deg/cm and decrease the saturation driving field by ~38%to 1.17 kOe in Eu_(0.75)Ce_(1)Y_(1.25)Fe_(5)O_(12 )compared to Ce_(1)Y_(2)Fe_(5)O_(12)pristine.The mechanism is attributed to the conversion of Ce^(4+)to Ce^(3+)and the weakening of ferrimagnetism by Eu doping.This work not only provides strategies for improving Ce^(3+)/Ce^(4+) ratio in Ce:YIG,but also develops(Eu,Ce):YIG with a promising Faraday rotation angle for magneto-optical devices.

Analysis on the Transfer Characteristics of Rogowski-coil Current Transformer and Its Influence on Protective Relaying

This paper systematically analyzes the transfer characteristics of the Rogowski-coil Current Transformer and its effect on protective relaying through theoretical analysis, experiments and simulations. The frequency characteristics and transient characteristics of Rogowski transducer and Rogowski-coil Current Transformer are deeply analyzed based on the physical structure of the transformer.?It is revealed that broad bandwidth of the transformer can improve the performance of protective relaying, and the bandwidth is determined mainly by the parameters of the Rogowski transducer and signal processing circuits. It is also discovered that the measurement errors of transient current mainly depend on the abilities for the current transformer to reproduce an accurate replica of the decaying dc components, which is mainly decided by the decay time constant of the aperiodic component of transient current and the parameters of the integral unit. Finally, some measures are proposed for the performance improvement of Rogowski-coil Current Transformer to meet the requirements of protective relaying system in terms of structural design and testing standards.

Loss of LBP triggers lipid metabolic disorder through H3K27 acetylation-mediated C/EBPβ-SCD activation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is associated with mutations in lipopolysaccharide-binding protein(LBP),but the underlying epigenetic mechanisms remain understudied.Herein,LBP^(-/-)rats with NAFLD were established and used to conduct integrative targetingactive enhancer histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation(H3K27ac)chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput and transcriptomic sequencing analysis to explore the potential epigenetic pathomechanisms of active enhancers of NAFLD exacerbation upon LBP deficiency.Notably,LBP^(-/-)reduced the inflammatory response but markedly aggravated high-fat diet(HFD)-induced NAFLD in rats,with pronounced alterations in the histone acetylome and regulatory transcriptome.In total,1128 differential enhancer-target genes significantly enriched in cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism were identified between wild-type(WT)and LBP^(-/-)NAFLD rats.Based on integrative analysis,CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteinβ(C/EBPβ)was identified as a pivotal transcription factor(TF)and contributor to dysregulated histone acetylome H3K27ac,and the lipid metabolism gene SCD was identified as a downstream effector exacerbating NAFLD.This study not only broadens our understanding of the essential role of LBP in the pathogenesis of NAFLD from an epigenetics perspective but also identifies key TF C/EBPβand functional gene SCD as potential regulators and therapeutic targets.

Synergistic effect of gradient Zn content and multiscale particles on the mechanical properties of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys with coupling distribution of coarse-fine grains

This study investigated the influence of graded Zn content on the evolution of precipitated and iron-rich phases and grain struc-ture of the alloys,designed and developed the Al–8.0Zn–1.5Mg–1.5Cu–0.2Fe(wt%)alloy with high strength and formability.With the increase of Zn content,forming the coupling distribution of multiscale precipitates and iron-rich phases with a reasonable matching ratio and dispersion distribution characteristics is easy.This phenomenon induces the formation of cell-like structures with alternate distribu-tion of coarse and fine grains,and the average plasticity–strain ratio(characterizing the formability)of the pre-aged alloy with a high strength is up to 0.708.Results reveal the evolution and influence mechanisms of multiscale second-phase particles and the corresponding high formability mechanism of the alloys.The developed coupling control process exhibits considerable potential,revealing remarkable improvements in the room temperature formability of high-strength Al–Zn–Mg–Cu alloys.

Andrias davidianus bone peptides alleviates hyperuricemia-induced kidney damage in vitro and in vivo

Hyperuricemia(HUA)is a vital risk factor for chronic kidney diseases(CKD)and development of functional foods capable of protecting CKD is of importance.This paper aimed to explore the amelioration effects and mechanism of Andrias davidianus bone peptides(ADBP)on HUA-induced kidney damage.In the present study,we generated the standard ADBP which contained high hydrophobic amino acid and low molecular peptide contents.In vitro results found that ADBP protected uric acid(UA)-induced HK-2 cells from damage by modulating urate transporters and antioxidant defense.In vivo results indicated that ADBP effectively ameliorated renal injury in HUA-induced CKD mice,evidenced by a remarkable decrease in serum UA,creatinine and blood urea nitrogen,improving kidney UA excretion,antioxidant defense and histological kidney deterioration.Metabolomic analysis highlighted 14 metabolites that could be selected as potential biomarkers and attributed to the amelioration effects of ADBP on CKD mice kidney dysfunction.Intriguingly,ADBP restored the gut microbiome homeostasis in CKD mice,especially with respect to the elevated helpful microbial abundance,and the decreased harmful bacterial abundance.This study demonstrated that ADBP displayed great nephroprotective effects,and has great promise as a food or functional food ingredient for the prevention and treatment of HUA-induced CKD.

The Clausena lansium genome provides new insights into alkaloid diversity and the evolution of the methyltransferase family

Wampee(Clausena lansium)is an important evergreen fruit tree native to southern China that has a long history of use for medicinal purposes.Here,a chromosome-level genome of C.lansium was constructed with a genome size of 282.9 Mb and scaffold N50 of 30.75 Mb.The assembled genome contains 48.70%repetitive elements and 24,381 protein-coding genes.Comparative genomic analysis showed that C.lansium diverged from Aurantioideae 15.91-24.95 million years ago.Additionally,some expansive and specific gene families related to methyltransferase activity and S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase activity were also identified.Further analysis indicated that N-methyltransferase(NMT)is mainly involved in alkaloid biosynthesis and O-methyltransferase(OMT)participates in the regulation of coumarin accumulation in wampee.This suggested that wampee's richness in alkaloids and coumarins might be due to the gene expansions of NMT and OMT.The tandem repeat event was one of the major reasons for the NMT expansion.Hence,the reference genome of C.lansium will facilitate the identification of some useful medicinal compounds from wampee resources and reveal their biosynthetic pathways.

Steam reforming of acetic acid over Ni/biochar of low metal-loading:Involvement of biochar in tailoring reaction intermediates renders superior catalytic performance

Biochar is a reactive carrier as it may be partially gasified with steam in steam reforming,which could influence the formation of reaction intermediates and modify catalytic behaviors.Herein,the Ni/biochar as well as two comparative catalysts,Ni/Al_(2)O_(3) and Ni/SiO_(2),with low nickel loading(2%(mass))was conducted to probe involvement of the varied carriers in the steam reforming.The results indicated that the Ni/biochar performed excellent catalytic activity than Ni/SiO_(2) and Ni/Al_(2)O_(3),as the biochar carrier facilitated quick conversion of the -OH from dissociation of steam to gasify the oxygen-rich carbonaceous intermediates like C=O and C-O-C,resulting in low coverage while high exposure of nickel species for maintaining the superior catalytic performance.In converse,strong adsorption of aliphatic intermediates over Ni/Al_(2)O_(3) and Ni/SiO_(2) induced serious coking with polymeric coke as the main type(21.5%and 32.1%,respectively),which was significantly higher than that over Ni/biochar(3.9%).The coke over Ni/biochar was mainly aromatic or catalytic type with nanotube morphology and high crystallinity.The high resistivity of Ni/biochar towards coking was due to the balance between formation of coke and gasification of coke and partially biochar with steam,which created developed mesopores in spent Ni/biochar while the coke blocked pores in Ni/Al_(2)O_(3) and Ni/SiO_(2) catalysts.

Upregulation of the glycine-rich protein-encoding gene GhGRPL enhances plant tolerance to abiotic and biotic stressors by promoting secondary cell wall development

Abiotic and biotic stressors adversely affect plant survival,biomass generation,and crop yields.As the global availability of arable land declines and the impacts of global warming intensify,such stressors may have increasingly pronounced effects on agricultural productivity.Currently,researchers face the overarching challenge of comprehensively enhancing plant resilience to abiotic and biotic stressors.The secondary cell wall plays a crucial role in bolstering the stress resistance of plants.To increase plant resistance to stress through genetic manipulation of the secondary cell wall,we cloned a cell wall protein designated glycine-rich protein-like(GhGRPL)from cotton fibers,and found that it is specifically expressed during the period of secondary cell wall biosynthesis.Notably,this protein differs from its Arabidopsis homolog,AtGRP,since its glycine-rich domain is deficient in glycine residues.GhGRPL is involved in secondary cell wall deposition.Upregulation of GhGRPL enhances lignin accumulation and,consequently,the thickness of the secondary cell walls,thereby increasing the plant’s resistance to abiotic stressors,such as drought and salinity,and biotic threats,including Verticillium dahliae infection.Conversely,interference with GhGRPL expression in cotton reduces lignin accumulation and compromises that resistance.Taken together,our findings elucidate the role of GhGRPL in regulating secondary cell wall development through its influence on lignin deposition,which,in turn,reinforces cell wall robustness and impermeability.These findings highlight the promising near-future prospect of adopting GhGRPL as a viable,effective approach for enhancing plant resilience to abiotic and biotic stress factors.