Zeolite-mediated hybrid Cu^(+)/Cu~0 interface for electrochemical nitrate reduction to ammonia

The electrocatalytic conversion of reactive nitrogen species to ammonia is a promising strategy for efficient NH_(3) synthesis.In this study,we reveal that the hybrid Cu^(+)/Cu~0 interface is catalytically active for electrochemical ammonia synthesis from nitrate reduction.To maintain the hybrid Cu^(+)/Cu~0 state at negative reaction potentials,hydrophilic zeolite is used to modify Cu/Cu_(2)O electrocatalyst,which demonstrates an impressive NH_(3) production rate of 41.65 mg h^(-1) cm^(-2)with ~100% Faradaic efficiency of ammonia synthesis at-0.6 V vs.RHE.In-situ Raman spectroscopy unveil the high activity originates from the zeolite reconstruction at the electrode–electrolyte interface,which protects the valence state of Cu~0/Cu^(+) site under negative potential and promotes electrochemical activity towards NH_(3) synthesis.

Predicting the Seasonal NDVI Change by GIS Geostatistical Analyst and Study on Driver Factors of NDVI Change in Hainan Island, China

As Hainan Island belonged to tropical monsoon influenced region, vegetation coverage was high. It is accessible to acquire the vegetation index information from remote sensing images, but predicting the average vegetation index in spatial distributing trend is not available. Under the condition that the average vegetation index values of observed stations in different seasons were known, it was possible to qualify the vegetation index values in study area and predict the NDVI (Normal Different Vegetation Index) change trend. In order to learn the variance trend of NDVI and the relationships between NDVI and temperature, precipitation, and land cover in Hainan Island, in this paper, the average seasonal NDVI values of 18 representative stations in Hainan Island were derived by a standard 10-day composite NDVI generated from MODIS imagery. ArcGIS Geostatistical Analyst was applied to predict the seasonal NDVI change trend by the Kriging method in Hainan Island. The correlation of temperature, precipitation, and land cover with NDVI change was analyzed by correlation analysis method. The results showed that the Kriging method of ARCGIS Geostatistical Analyst was a good way to predict the NDVI change trend. Temperature has the primary influence on NDVI, followed by precipitation and land-cover in Hainan Island.

miR-199-5p regulates spermiogenesis at the posttranscriptional level via targeting Tekt1 in allotriploid crucian carp

Background:Sperm abnormalities are one of the primary factors leading to male sterility,but their pathogenesis is still unclear.Although miRNAs are suggested to exert important roles in the regulation of spermatogenesis at both transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels,little is currently known regarding the regulation of sperm flagella assembly by microRNAs(miRNAs).The role of miRNAs in the development of sperm abnormalities in sterile triploid fish has not been studied.Results:In this study,we found that miR-199-5p was widely expressed in all detected tissues of different-ploidy crucian carp.As one of the testis-specific candidate markers,Tekt1 was predominantly expressed in the testis.Quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)analyses showed that the expression trend of miR-199-5p was exactly opposite to that of Tekt1.Through bioinformatics analysis,we identified a putative miR-199-5p binding site in the Tekt1 mRNA.We further identified Tekt1 as a target of miR-199-5p using luciferase reporter assay.Finally,we confirmed that miR-199-5p was necessary for sperm flagellar assembly and spermatogenesis in vivo via intraperitoneal injection of miR-199-5p antagomir or agomir in diploid red crucian carp.Moreover,miR-199-5p gainof-function could lead to spermatids apoptosis and abnormal spermatozoa structure,which is similar to that of allotriploid crucian carp.Conclusions:Our studies suggested that abnormally elevated miR-199-5p inhibited the sperm flagella formation in spermiogenesis by negatively regulating the expression of Tekt1,thereby causing sperm abnormalities of male allotriploid crucian carp.

H_∞ CONTROL OF AN ACTIVE SUSPENSION SYSTEM

An H ∞ controller for an active suspension system is designed, which has taken the performance of ride comfort and the system robustness into account. Simulation results show that a concentrated weighting of the car body acceleration output, for the frequency where human being are most sensitive to vibration, has been executed by introducing the frequency dependent weighing function, thus the suspension acceleration frequency response characteristic can be improved. It is also pointed out that the designed controller is effective in the system robustness against the fluctuation of parameter of system.

STUDY ON PREVIEW CONTROL METHOD OF ACTIVE SUSPENSION BASED ON A HALF-CAR MODEL

Previous studies have confirmed in simulation and experiment that an improved control performance can be obtained when the optimal preview control method was applied to an active suspension system for a quarter car model. In order to investigate the effectiveness not only in riding comfort but also in road handling, an half car model with the hydro pneumatic active suspension system is proposed in this study. Whole preview control method and partial preview control method, in which the road information detected by the front wheel is sent to the controller to decide the input to rear suspension, are taken into design of the active suspension control system. Results of numerical simulation show that satisfactory control efficiency could be achieved in both whole preview control and partial preview control. The comparison of results suggests that whole preview control method can provide better system performance, but the partial preview control method is superior due to its lower cost.

The key role of myostatin b in somatic growth in fishes derived from distant hybridization

The basic mechanism of heterosis has not been systematically and completely characterized.In previous studies,we obtained three economically important fishes that exhibit rapid growth,WR(WCC♀×RCC♂),WR-Ⅱ(WR♀×WCC♂),and WR-Ⅲ(WR-Ⅱ♀×4nAU♂),through distant hybridization.However,the mechanism underlying this rapid growth remains unclear.In this study,we found that WR,WR-Ⅱ,and WR-Ⅲshowed muscle hypertrophy and higher muscle protein and fat contents compared with their parent species(RCC and WCC).Candidate genes responsible for this rapid growth were then obtained through an analysis of 12 muscle transcriptomes.Notably,the mRNA level of mstnb(myostatin b),which is a negative regulator of myogenesis,was significantly reduced in WR,WR-Ⅱ,and WR-Ⅲcompared with the parent species.To verify the function of mstnb,a mstnb-deficient mutant RCC line was generated using the CRISPR-Cas9 technique.The average body weight of mstnb-deficient RCC at 12 months of age was significantly increased by 29.57%compared with that in wild-type siblings.Moreover,the area and number of muscle fibers were significantly increased in mstnb-deficient RCC,indicating hypertrophy and hyperplasia.Furthermore,the muscle protein and fat contents were significantly increased in mstnb-deficient RCC.The molecular regulatory mechanism of mstnb was then revealed by transcription profiling,which showed that genes related to myogenesis(myod,myog,and myf5),protein synthesis(PI3K-AKT-mTOR),and lipogenesis(pparγand fabp3)were highly activated in hybrid fishes and mstnb-deficient RCC.This study revealed that low expression or deficiency of mstnb regulates somatic growth by promoting myogenesis,protein synthesis,and lipogenesis in hybrid fishes and mstnb-deficient RCC,which provides evidence for the molecular mechanism of heterosis via distant hybridization.

Tissue optical clearing imaging for structural changes of neuromuscular junctions after mice ischemic stroke[Invited]

Ischemic stroke causes long-term disability and results in motor impairments.Such impairments are associated with structural changes in the neuromuscular junction(NMJ),including detailed morphology and three-dimensional(3D)distribution.However,previous studies only explored morphological changes of individual NMJs after stroke,which limits the understanding of their role in post-stroke motor impairment.Here,we examine 3D distributions and detailed morphology of NMJs in entire mouse muscles after unilateral and bilateral strokes induced by photothrombosis.The results show that 3D distributions and numbers of NMJs do not change after stroke,and severe unilateral stroke causes similar levels of NMJ fragmentation and area enlargement to bilateral stroke.This research provides structural data,deepening the understanding of neuromuscular pathophysiology after stroke.

Effects of Stereolithography Process Parameters on the Curing Properties of Si_(3)N_(4)Ceramic Slurries

This paper systematically investigates the effects of process parameters,such as exposure time and slice thickness,on the polymerization kinetics of a Si_(3)N_(4)ceramic slurry.The higher the C=C conversion rate in the SLA process,the faster the polymerization rate in the slurry during the initial exposure.However,when the UV exposure time is increased from 5 to 20 s,the solidified gel in the slurry hinders the diffusion of free radicals,causing the C=C conversion rate to stop.The slurry achieves a C=C conversion rate of up to 81%and a curing dimensional accuracy of up to IT7 level at an exposure time of 10 s.When the penetration depth of the slurry is equal to the slice thickness,the difference in C=C conversion rates between the ends of the blank is at least 21%.Furthermore,the Si3 N4 ceramics processed by stereolithography exhibit no defects,such as warpage or holes.

Photostimulation of lymphatic clearance ofβ‑amyloid from mouse brain:a new strategy for the therapy of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease(AD)is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder that poses a signifcant burden on socio-economic and healthcare systems worldwide.However,the currently available therapy of AD is limited,and new strategies are needed to enhance the clearance ofβ-amyloid(Aβ)protein and improve cognitive function.Photobiomodulation(PBM)is a noninvasive and efective therapeutic method that has shown promise in treating various brain diseases.Here,we demonstrate that 1267-nm PBM signifcantly alleviates cognitive decline in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD and is safe as it does not induce a signifcant increase in cortical temperature.Moreover,with the combination of 3D tissue optical clearing imaging and automatic brain region segmentation,we show that PBM-mediated reductions of Aβplaques in diferent subregions of prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus are diferent.The PBM-induced lymphatic clearance of Aβfrom the brain is associated with improvement of memory and cognitive functions in 5xFAD mice.Our results suggest that the modulation of meningeal lymphatic vessels(MLVs)should play an important role in promoting Aβclearance.Collectively,this pilot study demonstrates that PBM can safely accelerate lymphatic clearance of Aβfrom the brain of 5xFAD mice,promoting improvement of neurocognitive status of AD animals suggesting that PBM can be an efective and bedside therapy for AD.

Establishment and application of distant hybridization technology in fish

Hybridization is widely used. However, for a long time, systematic theories and technologies related to hybridization in fish have been lacking. In this study, through long-term systematic research, we investigated and obtained the main rules regarding inheritance and reproduction related to fish distant hybridization. Furthermore, we established one-step and multistep breeding technologies that were suitable for interspecific hybridization and intraspecific hybridization. Simultaneously, we used these two breeding technologies to produce a batch of diploid fish lineages and tetraploid fish lineages and improved fishes. In addition, we widely discuss the methods, technologies and results of hybridization breeding, referring to the domestic and foreign literature on fish hybridization. We hope that this paper will be beneficial for the research and application of fish hybrid breeding.

Targeted disruption of tyrosinase causes melanin reduction in Carassius auratus cuvieri and its hybrid progeny

The white crucian carp(Carassius auratus cuvieri,WCC) not only is one of the most economically important fish in Asia,characterized by strong reproductive ability and rapid growth rates,but also represents a good germplasm to produce hybrid progenies with heterosis.Gene knockout technique provides a safe and acceptant way for fish breeding.Achieving gene knockout in WCC and its hybrid progeny will be of great importance for both genetic studies and hybridization breeding.Tyrosinase(TYR) is a key enzyme in melanin synthesis.Depletion of tyr in zebrafish and mice results in mosaic pigmentation or total albinism.Here,we successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 to target tyr in WCC and its hybrid progeny(WR) derived from the cross of WCC(♀) and red crucian carp(Carassius auratus red var.,RCC,♂).The level of TYR protein was significantly reduced in mutant WCC.Both the mutant WCC and the mutant WR showed different degrees of melanin reduction compared with the wild-type sibling control fish,resulting from different mutation efficiency ranging from 60% to 90%.In addition,the transcriptional expression profiles of a series of pivotal pigment synthesis genes,i.e.tyrp1,mitfa,mitfb,dct and sox10,were down-regulated in tyr-CRISPR WCC,which ultimately caused a reduction in melanin synthesis.These results demonstrated that tyr plays a key role in melanin synthesis in WCC and WR,and CRISPR-Cas9 is an effective tool for modifying the genome of economical fish.Furthermore,the tyr-CRISPR models could be valuable in understanding fundamental mechanisms of pigment formation in non-model fish.

Characterization of H3 methylation in regulating oocyte development in cyprinid fish

Histone post-modifications are important epigenetic markers involved in multiple cellular processes via regulation of gene transcription or remodeling of chromatin structure. Oocyte development is a critical process under rigorous control to prevent the generation of aberrant gametes. However, the regulatory mechanism of oocyte early development is not well-understood due to the tiny size and poor distinguishability of the gonad in juvenile stages. Here, two cyprinid hybrid fishes, a sterile allotriploid fish and a gynogenetic hybrid fish with delayed oocyte development, provided research models to investigate the mechanisms involved. We used cytogenetic and molecular methods to confirm the pachytene arrest of oocytes in allotriploid fish and gynogenetic hybrid fish. On the basis of these developmental differences, we screened 21 different histone H3 modifications by ELISA and found that four modifications(H3 K4 me3, H3 K9 me3, H3 K79 me, and H3 K79 me3) differed significantly in the two cyprinid hybrid fishes. Changes in histone methylation at the three residues(H3 K4, K9, K79) were caused by specific methyltransferases and demethylases. Our results provide new insights into the epigenetic regulation of oocyte early development in fish, a process critical for understanding of reproductive biology and with practical applications in the aquacultural breeding industry.

A comparative study of distant hybridization in plants and animals

Distant hybridization refers to crosses between two different species, genera, or higher-ranking taxa, which can break species limits, increase genetic variation, and combine the biological characteristics of existing species. It is an important way of creating genetic variation, fertile strains, and excellent characteristics in new strains and populations. Combining analyses and summaries from many inter-related documents in plants and animals, both domestic and international, including examples and long-standing research on distant hybridization in fish from our laboratory, we summarize and compare the similarities and differences in plant and animal distant hybridization. In addition, we analyze and review the biological characteristics of their different ploidy progenies and the possible causes of disparity in survival rates. Mechanisms of sterility in animal and plant distant hybrids are also discussed, and research methods for the study of biological characteristics of hybrids, including morphology, cytology,and molecular cytogenetics are presented. This paper aims to provide comprehensive research materials and to systematically compare the general and specific characteristics of plant and animal hybrids with regards to reproduction, genetics, growth traits,and other biological characteristics. It is hoped that this paper will have great theoretical and practical significance for the study of genetic breeding and biological evolution of plant and animal distant hybridization.

The chimeric genes in the hybrid lineage of Carassius auratus cuvieri(♀)×Carassius auratus red var.(♂)

Hybridization can combine the genomes of different strains or species, which leads to changes of genotype and phenotype in the hybrids. In this study, we aimed to investigate the genetic variations of hybrids(WR-F1 and WR-F2) derived from the intraspecific hybridization of white crucian carp(Carassius auratus cuvieri, WCC, ♀) and red crucian carp(Carassius auratus red var., RCC, ♂). Here, we compared the orthologous genes in the liver transcriptomes of hybrids with those of WCC and RCC, and classified the orthologous genes into eight gene patterns within three categories(chimera, mutant, and biparental origin genes).The results revealed 19.04%, 4.17% chimeric genes and 6.90%, 5.05% mutations of orthologous genes in WR-F1 and WR-F2 respectively. Seventeen of twenty-three characterized genes(77%) were confirmed to be the chimeras at the genomic DNA level.The GO classification discovered that some chimeric and mutant genes were related to metabolic process, immune system and developmental process in WR-F1. Our results provide the new evidence that hybridization can combine the parental genomes,leading to changes in the genotype of the resultant hybrids. This is the first report on the formation of chimeric genes from fish intraspecific hybridization, which is potentially interesting from the context of both evolution and the genetic breeding of fish.

Comparison of diploid and triploid Carassius auratus provides insights into adaptation to environmental change

Focusing on adaptation of aquatic organisms, especially fish, can help elucidate complex dynamics in freshwater ecology. The differences in genetic and epigenetic regulation between diploid and triploid Carassius auratus affect survival under eutrophication. To identify the underlying mechanisms that lead to better adaption of triploids than diploids, we compared mRNA and microRNA(miRNA) expressions in liver tissue of diploid and triploid individuals obtained from the Dongting lake water system in central China. Differential expression analysis revealed that 566 transcripts were significantly up-regulated, whereas758 were down-regulated in triploids; of these differentially expressed transcripts, 33 transcripts including cacna1 d, nfkb2, hspa1 and fgfr4 were involved in the MAPK signaling pathway, and eight transcripts were determined to be regulated by seven miRNAs. Additionally, four of 25 differential expressed(DE) transcripts(mhc1, irf7, nfkb2 and pik3 c) involving the viral carcinogenesis pathway were regulated by four miRNAs. Furthermore, genetic polymorphisms analysis showed that more heterozygous mutations were detected in triploids than diploids. The d N/d S results revealed that 21 genes were under positive selection(d N/d S>1) in C. auratus complex. We hypothesize that these changes related to genetic and epigenetic regulation may be caused by abiotic stresses, and facilitate adaptation to environmental changes.

Evidence for the paternal mitochondrial DNA in the crucian carp-like fish lineage with hybrid origin

In terms of taxonomic status,common carp(Cyprinus carpio,Cyprininae)and crucian carp(Carassius auratus,Cyprininae)are different species;however,in this study,a newborn homodiploid crucian carp-like fish(2n=100)(2nNCRC)lineage(F1–F3)was established from the interspecific hybridization of female common carp(2n=100)×male blunt snout bream(Megalobrama amblycephala,Cultrinae,2n=48).The phenotypes and genotypes of 2 n NCRC differed from those of its parents but were closely related to those of the existing diploid crucian carp.We further sequenced the whole mitochondrial(mt)genomes of the 2n NCRC lineage from F1 to F3.The paternal mt DNA fragments were stably embedded in the mt-genomes of F1–F3 generations of 2n NCRC to form chimeric DNA fragments.Along with this chimeric process,numerous base sites of F1–F3 generations of 2 n NCRC underwent mutations.Most of these mutation sites were consistent with the existing diploid crucian carp.Moreover,the mt DNA organization and nucleotide composition of 2n NCRC were more similar to those of the existing diploid crucian carp than those of the parents.The inheritable chimeric DNA fragments and mutant loci in the mt-genomes of different generations of 2nNCRC provided important evidence of the mt DNA change process in the newborn lineage derived from hybridization of different species.Our findings demonstrated for the first time that the paternal mt DNA were transmitted into the mt-genomes of homodiploid lineage,which provided new insights into the existence of paternal mt DNA in the mt DNA inheritance.

Further evidence for paternal DNA transmission in gynogenetic grass carp

Gynogenesis is an important breeding method in aquaculture and has been widely applied to many fish species.If gynogenetic progenies are to inherit paternal partial genomic DNA,this will increase genetic variation and will provide a useful outcome for breeding.In this study,we investigated the genetic variation in homeobox(Hox)gene clusters(Hox A4 a,Hox A9 a,Hox A11 b,Hox B1 b,Hox C4 a,Hox C6 b,and Hox D10 a)among koi carp(Cyprinus carpio haematopterus,KOC;the stimulation sperm source),grass carp(Ctenopharyngodon idellus),and gynogenetic grass carp(GGC).We found paternal DNA(a special DNA fragment and Hox C6 b)derived from KOC and a recombinant gene belonging to Hox C6 b in GGC.We are the first to report the recombinant Hox C6 b in GGC.Our study provides further evidence for paternal DNA transmission to gynogenetic progenies,which is a finding with great significance for the genetic breeding of fish.

Abnormal meiosis in fertile and sterile triploid cyprinid fish

Meiosis is the key process for producing mature gametes. A natural fertile triploid Carassius auratus population(3nDTCC) and an artificially derived sterile triploid crucian carp(3nCC) have been previously observed, providing suitable model organisms for investigating meiosis characteristics in triploid fish. In the present study, the microstructures and ultrastructures of spermatogenesis were studied in these fishes. Td T-mediated d UTP nick end labeling detection was performed to investigate the apoptosis of spermatocytes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was employed to trace chromatin pairing. In addition, the m RNA expressions of cell cycle-related genes(i.e., cell division control 2 and cell cycle protein B) were determined by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction to illustrate the molecular mechanism of abnormal meiosis in the 3nCC. The results showed that the 3nCC undergoes an irregular prophase I, with the chromosomes distributed in a unipolar radial manner and exhibiting partial pairing, hindered metaphase I, and degenerated cells in the subsequent stages. Meanwhile, the 3nDTCC presented a relatively regular meiotic prophase I with complete conjugate chromosome pairs and chromosomes distributed along the karyotheca,which were presented as a ring structure by slicing. Only the spreads with 130–150 irregular chromosomes can be easily detected in the 3nDTCC, suggesting that it may undergo an abnormal metaphase I. This study provides new insights into the meiosis of fertile and sterile triploid cyprinid fish.

High-resolution two-photon transcranial imaging of brain using direct wavefront sensing

Imaging of the brain in its native state at high spatial resolution poses major challenges to visualization techniques.Two-photon microscopy integrated with the thinned-skull or optical clearing skull technique provides a minimally invasive tool for in vivo imaging of the cortex of mice without activating immune response and inducing brain injury.However,the imaging contrast and spatial resolution are severely compromised by the optical heterogeneity of the skull,limiting the imaging depth to the superficial layer.In this work,an optimized configuration of an adaptive optics two-photon microscope system and an improved wavefront sensing algorithm are proposed for accurate correction for the aberrations induced by the skull window and brain tissue.Using this system,we achieved subcellular resolution transcranial imaging of layer 5 pyramidal neurons up to 700μm below pia in living mice.In addition,we investigated microglia–plaque interaction in living brain of Alzheimer’s disease and demonstrated high-precision laser dendrotomy and single-spine ablation.

Microstructure, Microsegregation, and Mechanical Properties of Directional Solidified Mg–3.0Nd–1.5Gd Alloy

The microstructure, microsegregation, and mechanical properties of directional solidified Mg–3.0Nd–1.5Gd ternary alloys were experimentally studied. Experimental results showed that the solidification microstructure was composed of dendrite primary a（Mg） phase and interdendritic a（Mg） · Mg12（Nd, Gd） eutectic and Mg5 Gd phase. The primary dendrite arm spacing k1 and secondary dendrite arm spacing k2 were found to be depended on the cooling rate R in the form k1= 8.0415 9 10-6R-0.279 and k2= 6.8883 9 10-6R-0.205, respectively, under the constant temperature gradient of40 K/mm and in the region of cooling rates from 0.4 to 4 K/s. The concentration profiles of Nd and Gd elements calculated by Scheil model were found to be deviated from the ones measured by EPMA to varying degrees, due to ignorance of the back diffusion of the solutes Nd and Gd within a（Mg） matrix. And microsegregation of Gd depended more on the growth rate, compared with Nd microsegregation. The directionally solidified experimental alloy exhibited higher strength than the non-directionally solidified alloy, and the tensile strength of the directionally solidified experimental alloy was improved,while the corresponding elongation decreased with the increase of growth rate.