Beneficial effects of fermented jujube pulp in relieving loperamide hydrochloride-induced constipation in male ICR mice

Unfermented jujube pulp(UFJP),fermented jujube pulp(FJP)in high and low doses were fed to constipated ICR mice.Defecation function,serum gastrointestinal regulatory peptide,fecal short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)and gut microbial composition were assessed.Results showed that high-dose FJP could protect intestinal mucosa tissue,shorten the first black feces defecating time by 17%and increase the number and wet weights of black feces by 72%and 71%,respectively,within 6 h.High-dose FJP signifi cantly down-regulated the somatostatin level and up-regulated gastrin level in constipated mice,compared with low-dose FJP and UFJP.The high-dose FJP intervention regulated the microbiota profi le,which afterwards restored microbiota,like Bacteroidetes,Bifi dobacterium and Lactobacillus,to a less unhealthy state.This study provides convincing in vivo evidence that high-dose FJP supplementation through daily diet could be a promising approach to effectively alleviate constipation and modulate gut health.

An adaptive control strategy for microgrid secondary frequency based on parameter identification

Complex microgrid structures and time-varying conditions, among other factors, cause problems in the mechanical modeling of microgrids, making model-based controller optimization difficult. Therefore, this study proposed a secondary frequency adaptive control strategy based on parameter identification, which uses an online parameter identification method to identify the parameters in the microgrid in real-time. The identified parameters are then used in the secondary frequency adaptive controller to optimize the real-time controller performance. The proposed method realizes adaptive optimization of the controller in the microgrid operation state and is applied to a microgrid with unknown parameters to adjust the controller parameters. Finally, a simulation experiment was conducted to verify the model accuracy and the frequency regulation effect of the proposed adaptive control strategy.

Transcriptome analysis of molecular mechanisms underlying facial nerve injury repair in rats

Although the transcriptional alterations inside the facial nucleus after facial nerve injury have been well studied,the gene expression changes in the facial nerve trunk after injury are still unknown.In this study,we established an adult rat model of facial nerve crush injury by compressing the right lateral extracranial nerve trunk.Transcriptome sequencing,differential gene expression analysis,and cluster analysis of the injured facial nerve trunk were performed,and 39 intersecting genes with significant variance in expression were identified.Gene Ontology annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses of the 39 intersecting genes revealed that these genes are mostly involved in leukocyte cell-cell adhesion and phagocytosis and have essential roles in regulating nerve repair.Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were used to validate the expression of pivotal genes.Finally,nine pivotal genes that contribute to facial nerve recovery were identified,including Arhgap30,Akr1b8,C5ar1,Csf2ra,Dock2,Hcls1,Inpp5d,Sla,and Spi1.Primary Schwann cells were isolated from the sciatic nerve of neonatal rats.After knocking down Akr1b8 in Schwann cells with an Akr1b8-specific small interfering RNA plasmid,expression levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-6 were decreased,while cell proliferation and migration were not obviously altered.These findings suggest that Akr1b8 likely regulates the interaction between Schwann cells and macrophages through regulation of cytokine expression to promote facial nerve regeneration.This study is the first to reveal a transcriptome change in the facial nerve trunk after facial nerve injury,thereby revealing the potential mechanism underlying repair of facial nerve injury.This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Nantong University,China in 2018(approval No.S20180923-007).

Identification of key genes affecting porcine fat deposition based on coexpression network analysis of weighted genes

Background:Fat deposition is an important economic consideration in pig production.The amount of fat deposition in pigs seriously affects production efficiency,quality,and reproductive performance,while also affecting consumers’choice of pork.Weighted gene co-expression network analysis(WGCNA)is effective in pig genetic studies.Therefore,this study aimed to identify modules that co-express genes associated with fat deposition in pigs(Songliao black and Landrace breeds)with extreme levels of backfat(high and low)and to identify the core genes in each of these modules.Results:We used RNA sequences generated in different pig tissues to construct a gene expression matrix consisting of 12,862 genes from 36 samples.Eleven co-expression modules were identified using WGCNA and the number of genes in these modules ranged from 39 to 3,363.Four co-expression modules were significantly correlated with backfat thickness.A total of 16 genes(RAD9A,IGF2R,SCAP,TCAP,SMYD1,PFKM,DGAT1,GPS2,IGF1,MAPK8,FABP,FABP5,LEPR,UCP3,APOF,and FASN)were associated with fat deposition.Conclusions:RAD9A,TCAP,SMYD1,PFKM,GPS2,and APOF were the key genes in the four modules based on the degree of gene connectivity.Combining these results with those from differential gene analysis,SMYD1 and PFKM were proposed as strong candidate genes for body size traits.This study explored the key genes that regulate porcine fat deposition and lays the foundation for further research into the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying porcine fat deposition.

Adaptive evolution of rbcL in Reaumuria soon garica(Tamaricaceae)

In the field of phylogenetic analyses, the rbcL gene encoded large subunit Ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase （Rubisco, EC4.1.1.39）, which plays a crucial role in the process of photosynthesis for most terrestrial plants, has been considered to be conserved; however, recent controversy regarding rbcL conservation has appeared since it was proposed to be under natural selection within all principal lineages of land plants. In this study, by examining the variation of DNA and protein sequences among 17 species in the family Tamaricaceae, three nonsynonymous mutations were identified to be under positive selection. The favored sites were located in the alph-helix domains of Rubisco, with decreased hydrophobicity and increased entropy, which could facilitate C〇 2 penetration into the active site of Rubisco. We also found that the expression level of rbcL in different genotypes of Reaumuria soongarica shifted in response to various stresses such as drought, temperature, salt, and light. This study not only sheds light on the functional/structural features of Rubisco in the evolution scenarios from 〇 3-like into C4 in Tamaricaceae but also provides useful information on directing genetic performance to enhance photosynthesis efficiency of desert plants for sustaining fragile desert ecosystems; fur-thermore, it promotes the ability to cope with desert aridification and global warming.

皖南花猪不同头型母猪繁殖性能比较研究

皖南花猪按头型可分为狮子头型、马脸型和桩头型,为研究皖南花猪母猪不同头型母猪间的繁殖性能差异,研究通过整理安徽省皖南花猪保种场以往数据,现场记录等方法,统计皖南花猪不同头型经产母猪(370窝)的窝产仔数、窝产活仔数、初生窝重、35日龄窝断奶仔猪数和35日龄断奶窝重等繁殖性能指标,并进行比较分析。结果如下:皖南花猪马脸型母猪窝产仔数、窝产活仔数、仔猪初生窝重、35日龄断奶仔猪数、35日龄断奶窝重均显著高于狮子头型及桩头型母猪(P<0.05);皖南花猪桩头型母猪在窝产仔数、窝产活仔数、仔猪初生窝重等繁殖性能上优于狮子头型母猪,但在35日龄断奶窝重这一指标中低于狮子头型母猪。研究表明皖南花猪马脸型母猪繁殖性能与狮子头型、桩头型母猪相比更为优异,为皖南花猪种质资源保护与开发利用提供了一定的参考依据。

Protein and lipid characterization of wheat roots plasma membrane damaged by Fe and H₂O₂using ATR-FTIR method

In plant cells the plasma membrane is a highly elaborated structure that functions as the point of exchange with adjoining cells, cell walls and the external environment. In this study, we investigated the structure and function characteristic of wheat root plasma membrane (PM) as affected by H2O2 and Fe by using fluorescence spectroscopic and attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR-IR) techniques. The results showed that these oxidant damaged induced an obviously reduced membrane fluidity were observed in the roots PM treated with the 200 μM H2O2, FeSO4, and FeCl3. Computer-aided software analyses of the FTIR spectrum indicated that the content of the α-helices decreased and β-sheet increased in the secondary structures of proteins after exposure to the oxidants of 200 μM H2O2, FeSO4, and FeCl3. The number of P=O and C=C bonds area declined rapidly in the lipids of the membrane under the oxidants stress. These structural alterations might explain the reason of the roots PM instability under most of the abiotic stress.

Pyramid scheme model for consumption rebate frauds

There are various types of pyramid schemes that have inflicted or are inflicting losses on many people in the world.We propose a pyramid scheme model which has the principal characters of many pyramid schemes that have appeared in recent years: promising high returns, rewarding the participants for recruiting the next generation of participants, and the organizer takes all of the money away when they find that the money from the new participants is not enough to pay the previous participants interest and rewards.We assume that the pyramid scheme is carried out in the tree network, Erd?s–Réney(ER) random network, Strogatz–Watts(SW) small-world network, or Barabasi–Albert(BA) scale-free network.We then give the analytical results of the generations that the pyramid scheme can last in these cases.We also use our model to analyze a pyramid scheme in the real world and we find that the connections between participants in the pyramid scheme may constitute a SW small-world network.

Pyramid scheme in stock market:A kind of financial market simulation

Artificial stock market simulation based on agent is an important means to study financial market.Based on the assumption that the investors are composed of a main fund,small trend and contrarian investors characterized by four parameters,we simulate and research a kind of financial phenomenon with the characteristics of pyramid schemes.Our simulation results and theoretical analysis reveal the relationships between the rate of return of the main fund and the proportion of the trend investors in all small investors,the small investors'parameters of taking profit and stopping loss,the order size of the main fund and the strategies adopted by the main fund.Our work is helpful to explain the financial phenomenon with the characteristics of pyramid schemes in financial markets,design trading rules for regulators and develop trading strategies for investors.

Spatially resolved properties of supernova host galaxies in SDSS-IV MaNGA

We crossmatch galaxies from Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory with the Open Supernova Catalog,obtaining a total of 132 SNe within MaNGA bundle.These 132 SNe can be classified into 67 Type Ia and 65 Type CC.We study the global and local properties of supernova host galaxies statistically.Type Ia SNe are distributed in both star-forming galaxies and quiescent galaxies,while Type CC SNe are all distributed along the star-forming main sequence.As the stellar mass increases,the Type Ia/CC number ratio increases.We find:(1)there is no obvious difference in the interaction possibilities and environments between Type Ia SN hosts and a control sample of galaxies with similar stellar mass and SFR distributions,except that Type Ia SNe tend to appear in galaxies which are more bulge-dominated than their controls.For Type CC SNe,there is no difference between their hosts and the control galaxies in galaxy morphology,interaction possibilities as well as environments;(2)compared to galaxy centers,the SN locations have smaller velocity dispersion,lower metallicity,and younger stellar population.This is a natural result of radius gradients for all these parameters.The SN location and its symmetrical position relative to the galaxy center,as well as regions with similar effective radii have very similar[Mg/Fe],gasphase metallicity,gas velocity dispersion and stellar population age.

The morphology, kinematics and metallicity of blue-core galaxies

We select 107 blue-core galaxies from the MaNGA survey, studying their morphology, kinematics as well as the gas-phase metallicity. Our results are as follows:(i) In our sample, 26% of blue-core galaxies have decoupled gas-star kinematics, indicating external gas accretion;15% have bar-like structure and 8% show post-merger features, such as tidal tails and irregular gas/star velocity field. All these processes/features, such as accreting external misaligned gas, interaction and bar, can trigger gas inflow. Thus the central star-forming activities lead to bluer colors in their centers(blue-core galaxies).(ii) By comparing with the SDSS DR7 star-forming galaxy sample, we find that the blue-core galaxies have higher central gas-phase metallicity than what is predicted by the local mass-metallicity relation. We explore the origin of the higher metallicity, finding that not only the blue-core galaxies, but also the flat-gradient and red-core galaxies all have higher metallicity. This can be explained by the combined effect of redshift and galaxy color.

The mid-infrared variability of the SDSS optical quasars

Based on the Seventh Data Release(DR7) quasar catalog from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey,we investigate the variability of optical quasars in W1,W2,W3 and W4 bands of the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer(WISE) and the Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer(NEOWISE).Adopting the structure function(SF) method,we calculate the SF(δt = 1 yr) which shows no obvious correlations with the bolometric luminosity,the black hole mass and the Eddington ratio.The ensemble SFs in W1 and W2 bands show that the SF slopes are steeper than those in previous studies which may be caused by different cadence and observational epoch number.We further investigate the relation of variability amplitude σmbetween mid-infrared band and optical band,but no obvious correlation is found.No correlation is found between W1–W2 and g-r color.We think that the mid-infrared emission of quasars may be smoothed out by the extended dust distribution,thus leading to no obvious correlation.For the radio-loud quasar sub-sample,we further analyze the relation between the variability amplitude in the mid-infrared band and the radio luminosity at 6 cm,but no obvious correlations are found,which indicate the mid-infrared emission contributed from the synchrotron radiation of the relativistic jet is very weak.

A Novel Polymorphic Topology with Hybrid Control Strategy Based LLC Resonant Converter for Ultra-Wide Input Voltage Range Applications

To realize effective utilization of renewable energy sources,a novel polymorphic topology with hybrid control strategy based LLC resonant converter was analyzed and designed in this paper.By combining the merits of a full bridge LLC resonant converter,three-level half bridge LLC resonant converter,and variable frequency control mode,the converter realizes an intelligent estimation of input voltage by automatically changing its internal cir-cuit topology.Under this control strategy,different input voltages determine different operation modes.This is achieved in full bridge LLC mode when the input voltage is low.If the input voltage rises to a certain level,it operates in three-level half bridge LLC mode.These switches are digital and entirely carried out by the DSP(Digi-tal Signal Processor),which means that an auxiliary circuit is unnecessary,where a simple strategy of software modification can be utilized.Experimental results of a 500W prototype with 100V~600V input voltage and full load efficiency of up to 92%are developed to verify feasibility and practicability.This type of converter is suitable for applications with an ultra-wide input voltage range,such as wind turbines,photovoltaic generators,bioenergy,and other renewable energy sources.

Secondary Structure Changes and Thermal Stability of Plasma Membrane Proteins of Wheat Roots in Heat Stress

The wheat roots membrane separates the cell from the environment around it and encloses the cell contents. The pro-tein secondary structure and thermal stability of the plasma membrane of wheat root have been characterized in D2O buffer from 20°C to 90°C by Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Quantitative analysis of the amide I band (1700 - 1600 cm–1) showed that the plasma membrane proteins contains 41% α-helix, 16% β-sheet, 18% turn, and 25% disorder structures at 20°C. At elevated temperatures from 25°C up to 90°C, the α-helix and the β-sheet structure unfold into turns and the disorder structure, with a major conformational transition occurring at 50°C. There is a rapid decline in H+-ATPase activity of plasma membrane from 35°C to 55°C and it remain very low level H+-ATPase activity of PM from 55°C to 90°C. Therefore the protein conformational transition was one of reasons of loses H+-ATPase activity of plasma membrane.

Bankruptcy Prediction for Chinese Firms： Comparing Data Mining Tools With Logit Analysis

China＇s capital market is different from that of the US in economic, political, and socio-cultural ways. China＇s dynamic and fast growing economy for the past decade entails some structural changes and weaknesses and as a consequence, there are some business failures. We propose bankruptcy prediction models using Chinese firm data via several data mining tools and traditional logit analysis. We used Chinese firm data one year prior to bankruptcy and our results suggest that the financial variables developed by Altman （1968） and Ohlson （1980） perform reasonably well in determining business failures of Chinese firms, but the overall prediction rate is low compared with those of the US or other countries＇ studies. The reasons for this low prediction rate may be structural weaknesses resulting from China＇s fast growth and immature capital market.

Using Non-Additive Measure for Optimization-Based Nonlinear Classification

Over the past few decades, numerous optimization-based methods have been proposed for solving the classification problem in data mining. Classic optimization-based methods do not consider attribute interactions toward classification. Thus, a novel learning machine is needed to provide a better understanding on the nature of classification when the interaction among contributions from various attributes cannot be ignored. The interactions can be described by a non-additive measure while the Choquet integral can serve as the mathematical tool to aggregate the values of attributes and the corresponding values of a non-additive measure. As a main part of this research, a new nonlinear classification method with non-additive measures is proposed. Experimental results show that applying non-additive measures on the classic optimization-based models improves the classification robustness and accuracy compared with some popular classification methods. In addition, motivated by well-known Support Vector Machine approach, we transform the primal optimization-based nonlinear classification model with the signed non-additive measure into its dual form by applying Lagrangian optimization theory and Wolfes dual programming theory. As a result, 2n – 1 parameters of the signed non-additive measure can now be approximated with m (number of records) Lagrangian multipliers by applying necessary conditions of the primal classification problem to be optimal. This method of parameter approximation is a breakthrough for solving a non-additive measure practically when there are relatively small number of training cases available (mn-1). Furthermore, the kernel-based learning method engages the nonlinear classifiers to achieve better classification accuracy. The research produces practically deliverable nonlinear models with the non-additive measure for classification problem in data mining when interactions among attributes are considered.

Gossypol is the main limiting factor in the application of cottonseed meal in grass carp feed production:Involvement of growth,intestinal physical and immune barrier,and intestinal microbiota

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of free gossypol in cottonseed meal(CM)on the growth and intestinal health of grass carp,as well as to determine whether free gossypol is the primary factor restricting highlevel inclusion of cottonseed meal.This study was designed with five groups:the control group(32%soybean concentrate protein),the CM group(44%CM),the cottonseed protein concentrate(CPC)group(33%CPC),and the CPC and control groups with 400 and 600 mg/kg gossypol added,designated as CON,CM,CPC,CPC+GP,and CON+GP,respectively.The experiment lasted eight weeks,and each group had three replicates.This experiment employed one-way ANOVA and Duncan's multiple comparisons of the means.The findings revealed that in comparison to the CON group,the growth of fish in the CM,CPC+GP,and CON+GP groups significantly decreased.Intestinal inflammation damage was observed.This was indicated by a significant upregulation of proinflammatory factors,including tnf-α,nf-κb,il-6,il-8,il-12β,and il-1β,along with significant downregulation of anti-inflammatory factors,including tgf-β1,il-15,and il-10.Additionally,significant downregulation of antioxidant enzyme-related genes,including nrf2,cat,CuZnsod,gpx4,and gpx1,was observed and the intestinal physical barrier function was compromised.In addition,the intestinal microbiota composition was affected,with a significant reduction in Bacillus and Cetobacterium abundances and a remarkable increase in the abundance of Aeromonas,resulting in dysregulation of the intestinal microbiota function.However,in comparison to the CM group,the growth rate of fish in the CPC group exhibited a marked increase;nonetheless,it persisted at a level lower than that observed in the CON group and the degree of intestinal damage was significantly improved.Additionally,the intestinal microbiota structure was found to be similar to that of the CON group.In conclusion,excessive CM negatively affects grass carp growth and intestinal health,whereas replacing CM with CPC mitigates these effects.Adding gossypol equivalent to CM group in CON and CPC diets reduces growth performance and impairs intestinal function,indicating gossypol as a primary limiting factor for high CM inclusion in diets.

Arabidopsis phytochromes A and B synergistically repress SPA1 under blue light

In Arabidopsis,although studies have demonstrated that phytochrome A(phyA)and phyB are involved in blue light signaling,how blue light-activated phytochromes modulate the activity of the CONSTITUTIVELY PHOTOMORPHOGENIC1(COP1)-SUPPRESSOR OF PHYA-105(SPA1)E3 complex remains largely unknown.Here,we show that phyA responds to early and weak blue light,whereas phyB responds to sustainable and strong blue light.Activation of both phyA and phyB by blue light inhibits SPA1 activity.Specifically,blue light irradiation promoted the nuclear import of both phytochromes to stimulate their binding to SPA1,abolishing SPA1’s interaction with LONG HYPOCOTYL 5(HY5)to release HY5,which promoted seedling photomorphogenesis.

双金属Ag-Ni-MOF-74的合成及低温CO催化还原NO性能研究

采用后合成修饰法成功制备出一系列双金属Agx-Ni-MOF-74催化剂,并应用于CO选择性催化还原NO(CO-SCR)反应.研究结果发现,相较于单金属Ni-MOF-74催化剂,双金属Ag-Ni-MOF-74具有更加优良的低温CO催化还原NO能力,其中Ag1-Ni-MOF-74催化剂在200~300℃的温度范围达到接近100%NO转化率.利用X射线衍射分析(XRD)、傅氏转换红外线光谱分析(FT-IR)、场发射扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、氢气程序升温还原性能测试(H_(2)-TPR)等技术对样品的结构和性能进行了探究,发现Ag的加入有利于丰富催化剂活性位点和提高催化剂的比表面积,并促进反应物的有效活化和传输.此外,基于原位红外光谱分析,发现了CO-SCR反应过程遵循具有较高低温催化效率的Langmuir-Hinshelwood(L-H)机理.

Three-dimensional bioprinting is not only about cell-laden structures

In this review, we focused on a few obstacles that hinder three-dimensional （3D） bioprinting process in tissue engineering. One of the obstacles is the bioinks used to deliver cells. Hydrogels are the most widely used bioink materials; however, they are mechanically weak in nature and cannot meet the requirements for supporting structures, especially when the tissues, such as cartilage, require extracellular matrix to be mechanically strong. Secondly and more importantly, tissue regeneration is not only about building all the components in a way that mimics the structures of living tissues, but also about how to make the constructs function normally in the long term. One of the key issues is sufficient nutrient and oxygen supply to the engineered living constructs. The other is to coordinate the interplays between cells, bioactive agents and extracellular matrix in a natural way. This article reviews the approaches to improve the mechanical strength of hydrogels and their suitability for 3D bioprinting; moreover, the key issues of multiple cell lines coprinting with multiple growth factors, vascularization within engineered living constructs etc. were also reviewed.