Functional Metabolomics Reveals that Astragalus Polysaccharides Improve Lipids Metabolism through Microbial Metabolite 2-Hydroxybutyric Acid in Obese Mice

Polysaccharides are widely present in herbs with multiple activities,especially immunity regulation and metabolic benefits for metabolic disorders.However,the underlying mechanisms are not well under-stood.Functional metabolomics is increasingly used to investigate systemic effects on the host by iden-tifying metabolites with particular functions.This study explores the mechanisms underlying the metabolic benefits of Astragalus polysaccharides(APS)by adopting a functional metabolomics strategy.The effects of APS were determined in eight-week high-fat diet(HFD)-fed obese mice.Then,gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry(GC–TOFMS)-based untargeted metabolomics was performed for an analysis of serum and liver tissues,and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrom-etry(LC–MS/MS)-based targeted metabolomics was performed.The potential functions of the metabo-lites were tested with in vitro and in vivo models of metabolic disorders.Our results first confirmed the metabolic benefits of APS in obese mice.Then,metabolomics analysis revealed that APS supplemen-tation reversed the HFD-induced metabolic changes,and identified 2-hydroxybutyric acid(2-HB)as a potential functional metabolite for APS activity that was significantly decreased by a HFD and reversed by APS.Further study indicated that 2-HB inhibited oleic acid(OA)-induced triglyceride(TG)accumula-tion.It was also found to stimulate the expression of proteins in lipid degradation in hepatocytes and TG lipolysis in 3T3-L1 cells.Moreover,it was found to reduce serum TG and regulate the proteins involved in lipid degradation in high-fat and high-sucrose(HFHS)-fed mice.In conclusion,our study demonstrates that the metabolic benefits of APS are at least partially due to 2-HB generation,which modulated lipid metabolism both in vitro and in vivo.Our results also highlight that functional metabolomics is practical for investigating the mechanism underlying the systemic benefits of plant polysaccharides.

Genome Editing as A Versatile Tool to Improve Horticultural Crop Qualities

The quality traits of horticultural crops,including the accumulation of nutrients and flavor substances,morphology,and texture,affect the palatability and nutritional value.For many years,efforts have been made to improve the quality of horticultural crops.The recent establishment of gene editing technology,with its potential applications in horticultural crops,provides a strategy for achieving this goal in a rapid and efficient manner.Here,we summarize research efforts aimed at improving horticultural crop quality through genome editing.We describe specific genome editing systems that have been used and traits that have been targeted in these efforts.Additionally,we discuss limiting factors and future perspectives of genome editing technology in improving horticultural crop qualities in both research and plant breeding.In summary,genome editing technology is emerging as a powerful tool for efficiently and rapidly improving horticultural crop quality,and we believe that the cautious application of genome editing in horticultural crops will generate new germplasms with improved quality in the near future.

Yttria promoted metallic nickel catalysts for the partial oxidation of methane to synthesis gas

金属性的 Ni 催化剂与镍海绵被准备，由酸处理列在后面。它被一个受精方法进一步与氧化钇支持。催化剂被 SEM 描绘，赌注， XRD， TPR， XPS，等等，并且在甲烷的部分氧化学习了到 syngas。描述结果证明氧化钇支持了金属性的 Ni 催化剂有的高特定的表面区域和更多 NiO。反应结果证明氧化钇倡导者为 H 2 和公司增加了 CH 4 变换和选择。

我国城镇居民就业结构变迁与收入差距研究

本文利用城镇住户调查数据及人口普查数据分析我国城镇居民在经济发展快速转型和增长期间的就业结构变迁,并进一步分析收入差距和就业结构变化的关系。结果显示,不同于发达国家的“极化”现象,我国经济发展快速转型和增长时期,城镇居民的就业结构呈现“升级”模式:低技能岗位雇佣比例下降,中高技能岗位雇佣比例上升;同时低技能岗位工资增长慢于中高技能岗位。虽然就业结构变动比较大,但对我国总体收入差距变动的贡献并不大,劳动力在不同岗位的就业比例变化对收入差距变化的影响约为1%。收入差距的变化主要来自岗位内不可观测技能回报的变化以及可观测变量如教育、地区等的回报变化和岗位的回报变化。

Product Specification Analysis for Modular Product Design Using Big Sales Data

Big data on product sales are an emerging resource for supporting modular product design to meet diversified customers’requirements of product specification combinations.To better facilitate decision-making of modular product design,correlations among specifications and components originated from customers’conscious and subconscious preferences can be investigated by using big data on product sales.This study proposes a framework and the associated methods for supporting modular product design decisions based on correlation analysis of product specifications and components using big sales data.The correlations of the product specifications are determined by analyzing the collected product sales data.By building the relations between the product components and specifications,a matrix for measuring the correlation among product components is formed for component clustering.Six rules for supporting the decision making of modular product design are proposed based on the frequency analysis of the specification values per component cluster.A case study of electric vehicles illustrates the application of the proposed method.

FvWRKY50 is an important gene that regulates both vegetative growth and reproductive growth in strawberry

The WRKY transcription factors play important roles in plant growth and resistance,but only a few members have been identified in strawberry.Here we identified a WRKY transcription factor,FvWRKY50,in diploid strawberry which played essential roles in strawberry vegetative growth,and reproductive growth.Knocking out FvWRKY50 by genome editing accelerated flowering time and leaf senescence but delayed anthocyanin accumulation in fruit.Further analysis showed that FvWRKY50 acted as a transcriptional repressor to negatively regulate the expression of flowering-and leaf senescence-related genes,including FvFT2,FvCO,FvFT3,and FvSAUR36.Notably,FvWRKY50 directly upregulated the expression of FvCHI and FvDFR by binding their promoter under normal conditions,but at low temperature FvWRKY50 was phosphorylated by FvMAPK3 and then induced protein degradation by ubiquitination,delaying anthocyanin accumulation.In addition,the homozygous mutant of FvWRKY50 was smaller while the biallelic mutant showed normal size.These new findings provide important clues for us to further reveal the regulatory mechanisms of strawberry growth and fruit ripening.

Optimization and standardization of transient expression assays for gene functional analyses in strawberry fruits

Strawberry is increasingly used as a model plant for research on fruit growth and development.The transient gene manipulation(TGM)technique is widely used to determine the function of plant genes,including those in strawberry fruits.However,its reliable application for the precise identification of gene function has been difficult owing to the lack of conditional optimization.In this study,we found that successful transient gene manipulation requires optimization,with the vector type,temperature,and fruit developmental stage being three major factors determining success.Notably,we found that transient gene manipulation was feasible only from the large green fruit stage onwards,making it especially suitable for identifying genes involved in strawberry fruit ripening.Furthermore,we established a method called percentage difference of phenotype(PDP),in which the functional effect of a gene could be precisely and efficiently identified in strawberry fruits.This method can be used to estimate the functional effect of a gene as a value from 0 to 100%,such that different genes can be quantitatively compared for their relative abilities to regulate fruit ripening.This study provides a useful tool for accelerating research on the molecular basis of strawberry fruit ripening.

Fractional Frequency Offset Estimation for OFDM Systems in Non-Cooperative Communication

The traditional fractional frequency offset(FFO) estimation schemes for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) in non-cooperative communication have the problems of susceptible performance with the frequency offset values and the number of OFDM symbols,a novel fractional frequency offset blind estimation scheme based on EKF for OFDM systems is conceived.The nonlinear function of the frequency offset is calculated by employing the correlation.And then the frequency offset is estimated by means of the iterative algorithm of EKF.The finally fractional frequency offset is estimated by adopting repeated the above process.Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme is robust to the frequency offset values without any requirements of a prior knowledge.

有机金属铬催化剂制备噁唑烷酮改性环氧树脂及其固化材料的性能

用有机金属铬催化剂催化4,4’-二苯甲烷二异氰酸酯(MDI)与双酚A二缩水甘油醚(DGEBA)的反应,合成了噁唑烷酮改性环氧树脂(OXEP),研究了投料比和反应时间等对合成OXEP的影响。利用OXEP、DGEBA与甲基四氢苯酐进行固化反应,制备了不同OXEP含量的固化材料。研究结果表明,随着OXEP含量即噁唑烷酮杂环含量的增加,固化材料的玻璃化转变温度、耐热性、拉伸强度、弯曲强度和冲击性能均得到大幅提高。

Alleviating experimental pulmonary hypertension via co-delivering FoxO1 stimulus and apoptosis activator to hyperproliferating pulmonary arteries

Pulmonary hypertension(PH)is an insidious pulmonary vasculopathy with high mortality and morbidity and its underlying pathogenesis is still poorly delineated.The hyperproliferation and apoptosis resistance of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells(PASMCs)contributes to pulmonary vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension,which is closely linked to the downregulation of forkhead box transcriptional factor O1(FoxO1)and apoptotic protein caspase 3(Cas-3).Here,PA-targeted co-delivery of a FoxO1 stimulus(paclitaxel,PTX)and Cas-3 was exploited to alleviate monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension.The co-delivery system is prepared by loading the active protein on paclitaxel-crystal nanoparticles,followed by a glucuronic acid coating to target the glucose transporter-1 on the PASMCs.The co-loaded system(170 nm)circulates in the blood over time,accumulates in the lung,effectively targets the PAs,and profoundly regresses the remodeling of pulmonary arteries and improves hemodynamics,leading to a decrease in pulmonary arterial pressure and Fulton's index.Our mechanistic studies suggest that the targeted co-delivery system alleviates experimental pulmonary hypertension primarily via the regression of PASMC proliferation by inhibiting cell cycle progression and promoting apoptosis.Taken together,this targeted co-delivery approach offers a promising avenue to target PAs and cure the intractable vasculopathy in pulmonary hypertension.

Electrochemically prepared coniferous leaf-like nickel black membrane for desalination by solar-thermal energy conversion

The structures of the solar-thermal membranes always influence the performance of light absorption and salt resistance in desalination.Inspired by the hierarchical structure of the coniferous leaves with excellent sunlight absorption in frigid regions,a coniferous leaf-like nickel black(L-Ni)membrane for desalination by solar-thermal energy conversion was prepared through electroplating method under a constant voltage.The light trapping effect of coniferous leaf-like structure led to the light absorption enhanced to 92%,the evaporation rate improved to 1.38 kg·m^(-2)·h^(-1),and the solar-vapor conversion efficiency of L-Ni membrane reaching up to 89.75%under 1 sun irradiation.The stability of the membrane was still excellent after 20 cycles desalination because the coniferous leaf-like structure could enhance the hydrophobicity(water contact angle:152°)of the L-Ni membrane,and it was beneficial to salt resistance.The promising performance of L-Ni membrane with coniferous leaf-like structure provides a possibility to replace the noble metal solar-thermal conversion materials.

An effector-reporter system to study cellular signal transduction in strawberry fruit (Fragaria ananassa)

An effector-reporter system is a powerful tool used to study cellular signal transduction,but this technique has been traditionally used in protoplasts.A similar system to study cellular signal transduction in fruits has not yet been established.In this study,we aimed to establish an effector–reporter system for strawberry fruit,a model nonclimacteric fruit.We first investigated the characteristics of transient gene expression in strawberry fruits and found marked variation in gene expression levels among individual fruits,and this variation has complicated the establishment of a technical system.To overcome this difficulty,we investigated a sampling strategy based on a statistical analysis of the activity pattern of four different reporters(GUS,GFP,FLuc,and RLuc)among individual fruits and combinations of pairs of reporters(GUS/GFP and RLuc/FLuc).Based on an optimized sampling strategy,we finally established a step-by step protocol for the effector/reporter assay.Using FaMYB10 and FaWRKY71 as the effectors and GUS driven by the FaCHS promoter as the reporter,we demonstrated that this effector/reporter system was practical and reliable.This effector/reporter technique will contribute to an in-depth exploration of the signaling mechanism for the regulation of strawberry fruit ripening.

A Resource Reuse Scheme of D2D Communication Underlaying LTE Network with Intercell Interference

With the growing concern on data rates and resource utilization, Device-to-Device (D2D) communication has been raised in 3GPP Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks. In order to limit severe interference, previous studies mainly focus on intra-cell interference that between cellular links and local D2D links. In this paper, we consider both intra-cell interference and inter-cell interference between D2D and cellular links. We propose a new resource reuse algorithm that D2D users reuse the minimum interference uplink (UL) Semi-Persistent Scheduling (SPS) resources to reach the highest throughput. The simulation results show that this scheme reduces interference as well as improves throughput.

Yttria Promoted Nickel Nanowire Catalyst for the Partial Oxidation of Methane to Synthesis Gas

A yttria promoted nickel nanowire catalyst was prepared by a hard templating method, and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N2 physical adsorption. The catalytic properties of the yttria promoted nanowire catalyst in the partial oxidation of methane to syngas were compared with a metallic Ni catalyst which was prepared with nickel sponge. The characterization results showed that the yttria promoted nickel nanowire catalyst had high specific surface area and there was more NiO phase in the nickel nanowire catalyst than in the metallic Ni catalyst. The reaction results showed that the yttria promoted nickel nanowire catalyst had high CH4 conversion and selectivities to H2 and CO.

Effect of inferior vena cava respiratory variability-guided fluid therapy after laparoscopic hepatectomy:a randomized controlled clinical trial

Background:After major liver resection,the volume status of patients is still undetermined.However,few concerns have been raised about postoperative fluid management.We aimed to compare gut function recovery and short-term prognosis of the patients after laparoscopic liver resection(LLR)with or without inferior vena cava(IVC)respiratory variability-directed fluid therapy in the anesthesia intensive care unit(AICU).Methods:This randomized controlled clinical trial enrolled 70 patients undergoing LLR.The IVC respiratory variability was used to optimize fluid management of the intervention group in AICU,while the standard practice of fluid management was used for the control group.The primary outcome was the time to flatus after surgery.The secondary outcomes included other indicators of gut function recovery after surgery,postoperative length of hospital stay(LOS),liver and kidney function,the severity of oxidative stress,and the incidence of severe complications associated with hepatectomy.Results:Compared with patients receiving standard fluid management,patients in the intervention group had a shorter time to anal exhaust after surgery(1.5±0.6 days vs.2.0±0.8 days)and lower C-reactive protein activity(21.4[95%confidence interval(CI):11.9-36.7]mg/L vs.44.8[95%CI:26.9-63.1]mg/L)24 h after surgery.There were no significant differences in the time to defecation,serum concentrations of D-lactic acid,malondialdehyde,renal function,and frequency of severe postoperative complications as well as the LOS between the groups.Conclusion:Postoperative IVC respiratory variability-directed fluid therapy in AICU was facilitated in bowel movement but elicited a negligible beneficial effect on the short-term prognosis of patients undergoing LLR.Trial Registration:ChiCTR-INR-17013093.

A new modeling scheme for powered parafoil unmanned aerial vehicle platforms: Theory and experiments

A novel framework is established for accurate modeling of Powered Parafoil Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(PPUAV). The model is developed in the following three steps: obtaining a linear dynamic model, simplifying the model structure, and estimating the model mismatch due to model variance and external disturbance factors. First, a six degree-of-freedom linear model, or the structured model, is obtained through dynamic establishment and linearization. Second, the data correlation analysis is adopted to determine the criterion for proper model complexity and to simplify the structured model. Next, an active model is established, combining the simplified model with the model mismatch estimator. An adapted Kalman filter is utilized for the real-time estimation of states and model mismatch. We finally derive a linear system model while taking into account of model variance and external disturbance. Actual flight tests verify the effectiveness of our active model in different flight scenarios.

Additively manufactured metallic biomaterials

Metal additive manufacturing(AM)has led to an evolution in the design and fabrication of hard tissue substitutes,enabling personalized implants to address each patient’s specific needs.In addition,internal pore architectures integrated within additively manufactured scaffolds,have provided an opportunity to further develop and engineer functional implants for better tissue integration,and long-term durability.In this review,the latest advances in different aspects of the design and manufacturing of additively manufactured metallic biomaterials are highlighted.After introducing metal AM processes,biocompatible metals adapted for integration with AM machines are presented.Then,we elaborate on the tools and approaches undertaken for the design of porous scaffold with engineered internal architecture including,topology optimization techniques,as well as unit cell patterns based on lattice networks,and triply periodic minimal surface.Here,the new possibilities brought by the functionally gradient porous structures to meet the conflicting scaffold design requirements are thoroughly discussed.Subsequently,the design constraints and physical characteristics of the additively manufactured constructs are reviewed in terms of input parameters such as design features and AM processing parameters.We assess the proposed applications of additively manufactured implants for regeneration of different tissue types and the efforts made towards their clinical translation.Finally,we conclude the review with the emerging directions and perspectives for further development of AM in the medical industry.

Au(Ⅰ)-Catalyzed 6-endo-dig Cyclizations of Aromatic 1,5-Enynes to 2-(Naphthalen-2-yl)anilines Leading to Divergent Syntheses of Benzo[α]carbazole, Benzo[c,h]cinnoline and Dibenzo[i]phenanthridine Derivatives

A gold(Ⅰ)-catalyzed 6-endo-dig cyclization of aromatic 1,5-enynes was developed to synthesize 2-(naphthalen-2-yl)anilines.The functional group tolerance of this cyclization was examined systematically and a possible mechanism was proposed.The derivatization of 2-(naphthalen-2-yl)aniline was carried out to facile access to benzo[α]carbazole,benzo[c,h]cinnoline and dibenzo[i]phenanthridine derivatives in a divergent way.

A loss-of-function mutant allele of a glycosyl hydrolase gene has been co-opted for seed weight control during soybean domestication

The resultant DNA from loss-of-function mutation can be recruited in biological evolution and development.Here,we present such a rare and potential case of“to gain by loss”as a neomorphic mutation during soybean domestication for increasing seed weight.Using a population derived from a chromosome segment substitution line of Glycine max(SN14)and Glycine soja(ZYD06),a quantitative trait locus(QTL)of 100-seed weight(q HSW)was mapped on chromosome 11,corresponding to a truncatedβ-1,3-glucosidase(βGlu)gene.The novel gene hsw results from a 14-bp deletion,causing a frameshift mutation and a premature stop codon in theβGlu.In contrast to HSW,the hsw completely lostβGlu activity and function but acquired a novel function to promote cell expansion,thus increasing seed weight.Overexpressing hsw instead of HSW produced large soybean seeds,and surprisingly,truncating hsw via gene editing further increased the seed size.We further found that the core 21-aa peptide of hsw and its variants acted as a promoter of seed size.Transcriptomic variation in these transgenic soybean lines substantiated the integration hsw into cell and seed size control.Moreover,the hsw allele underwent selection and expansion during soybean domestication and improvement.Our work cloned a likely domesticated QTL controlling soybean seed weight,revealed a novel genetic variation and mechanism in soybean domestication,and provided new insight into crop domestication and breeding,and plant evolution.

通过溶剂蒸汽处理制备多级静电纺丝纳米纤维作为空气过滤膜实现PM2.5高效捕获（英文）

空气污染特别是颗粒物(PM)污染,已经威胁到人类的身体健康,因而引起了全世界的高度关注.人们在室外可通过口罩进行个人防护,然而一般的商业口罩起不到好的防护效果.本文利用静电纺丝技术和溶剂蒸汽退火(SVA)方法制备了新型高效的聚(ε-己内酯)/聚环氧乙烷(PCL/PEO)空气过滤纳米纤维.通过SVA处理,纤维表面变得褶皱,增强了对PM2.5的捕获效率.在重度污染状况(PM2.5颗粒浓度>225 mg m^(-3))下,这种纳米褶皱空气过滤膜的移除效率达80.01%.秦皇岛雾霾天实地测量表明,空气过滤膜能高效移除PM2.5.与商业口罩相比,本文经过SVA处理后的PCL/PEO空气过滤膜具有制备方法简单、环境友好且易降解的特性,在高效过滤膜领域有潜在应用.