Characterization of 3D Printed Poly(3-Hydroxybutyric-Co-3-Hydroxyvalerate) by Fused Granular Fabrication through Thermal and Mechanical Analyses

Poly[R-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R-3-hydroxyvalerate)] (PHBVs) copolymers are promising biopolymers, which could substitute petroleum-based plastics for various applications. PHB and PHBV pellets were processed on a customized 3D printer via Fused Granular Manufacturing (FGM) approach modified with a Mahor screw extruder. To anticipate the behaviour of PHBVs when transformed using conventional thermo-mechanical shaping processes, thermal and mechanical analyses were carried out in order to better understand the effect of annealing temperature on their crystallization behaviour and mechanical properties of PHB polymer and PHBV copolymer. The objectives of the present work were to propose an experimental strategy to study the melting and crystallization events, crystalline structure changes, and mechanical performances of both PHB homopolymer and PHBV copolymer according to identical thermal annealing treatments. A monitoring of 3D printed PHB and PHBV structures was achieved by coupling Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and tensile tests. .

Colour Reflectance Investigation of Decolourized Sulfur Dyed Cotton Knitted Fabric via Ozone Plasma Treatment

Ozone plasma treatment is accessible to be applied on shading adjustment and colour fading because of the capacity of ozone production. It is a green process that treats dyed cotton fabric under dry condition so as to avoid chemical pollutants. This study means to explore colour reflectance of decolourized sulfur dyed cotton texture using ozone plasma treatment. Sulfur dyed cotton textures with various colour depths (0.5%, 1.5%, 2.5%) were set up to be treated different plasma parameters, including ozone air concentrations (10%, 30%, 50%, 70%), water contents in terms of weight percentage (35%, 45%) of fabric and ozone air plasma treatment periods (10 mins, 20 mins, 30 mins). The colour fading result is assessed by the colour reflectance in percentage (R%) utilizing spectrophotometer under CIE standard illuminant D65. The valid colour fading based on high percentage of reflectance was demonstrated from plasma treatment under higher ozone air concentration (50% and 70% ozone in air) and longer time length of plasma treatment (20 mins and 30 mins). The level of water content contained in the cotton fabrics is appeared to have noteworthy relationship with the degree of decolourization.

Nonlinear Correction of Pressure Sensor Based on Depth Neural Network

With the global climate change,the high-altitude detection is more and more important in the climate prediction,and the input-output characteristic curve of the air pressure sensor is offset due to the interference of the tested object and the environment under test,and the nonlinear error is generated.Aiming at the difficulty of nonlinear correction of pressure sensor and the low accuracy of correction results,depth neural network model was established based on wavelet function,and Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm is used to update network parameters to realize the nonlinear correction of pressure sensor.The experimental results show that compared with the traditional neural network model,the improved depth neural network not only accelerates the convergence rate,but also improves the correction accuracy,meets the error requirements of upper-air detection,and has a good generalization ability,which can be extended to the nonlinear correction of similar sensors.

Impolite Pedestrian Detection by Using Enhanced YOLOv3-Tiny

In recent years,the problem of“Impolite Pedestrian”in front of the zebra crossing has aroused widespread concern from all walks of life.The traffic sector’s governance measures have become more serious.The traditional way of governance is on-site law enforcement,which requires a lot of manpower and material resources and is low efficiency.An enhanced YOLOv3-tiny model is proposed for pedestrians and vehicle detection in traffic monitoring.By modifying the backbone network structure of YOLOv3-tiny model,introducing deep detachable convolution operation,and designing the basic residual block unit of the network,the feature extraction ability of the backbone network is enhanced.The improved model is trained on the VOC2007+VOC2012 training set,and the trained model is tested for performance on the test data set.The experimental results show that:the mean Average Precision(mAP)increased from 0.672 to 0.732,increasing the measurement accuracy by 9%.The Intersection over Union(IoU)increased from 0.783 to 0.855,increasing the coverage accuracy by 7.2%.The enhanced YOLOv3-tiny model has higher measurement accuracy than the original model.Applying this model to the 1080P traffic video on the NVIDIA RTX 2080,the detection speed is 150 FPS,which can fully achieve real-time detection.Through the analysis of pedestrians and vehicle coordinates,it is judged whether or not illegal acts occur.For illegal vehicles,save three pictures as the basis for law enforcement,which forms an important supplement to off-site law enforcement.

Reductive Amination with [¹¹C]Formaldehyde: A Versatile Approach to Radiomethylation of Amines

Carbon-11 radiolabeled amines constitute a very important class of radioligands that are widely used for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Radiolabeling of amines is often achieved through radiomethylation using [11C]CH3I or [11C]CH3OTf under basic conditions in a strictly anhydrous environment. Functional groups such as hydroxyl and carboxyl groups that are often present in the molecules are normally base sensitive and require protection and deprotection, which substantially prolongs and complicates the radiolabeling process. Here we report a versatile approach to a series of C-11 radiolabeled amines prepared through reductive amination using [11C]formaldehyde. Using a variety of substrates bearing different functional groups, we demonstrate the general utility of this method. In contrast to conventional radiomethylation methods, the reductive amination using [11C]formaldehyde can be carried out in an aqueous environment relatively quickly without the need of protection of base-sensitive functional groups.

The OsNAC41-RoLe1-OsAGAP module promotes root development and drought resistance in upland rice

Drought is a major environmental stress limiting crop yields worldwide.Upland rice(Oryza sativa)has evolved complex genetic mechanisms for adaptative growth under drought stress.However,few genetic variants that mediate drought resistance in upland rice have been identified,and little is known about the evolution of this trait during rice domestication.In this study,using a genome-wide association study we identified ROOT LENGTH 1(RoLe1)that controls rice root length and drought resistance.We found that a G-to-T polymorphism in the RoLe1 promoter causes increased binding of the transcription factor OsNAC41 and thereby enhanced expression of RoLe1.We further showed that RoLe1 interacts with OsAGAP,an ARF-GTPase activating protein involved in auxin-dependent root development,and interferes with its function to modulate root development.Interestingly,RoLe1 could enhance crop yield by increasing the seed-setting rate under moderate drought conditions.Genomic evolutionary analysis revealed that a newly arisen favorable allelic variant,proRoLe1−526T,originated from the midwest Asia and was retained in upland rice during domestication.Collectively,our study identifies an OsNAC41-RoLe1-OsAGAP module that promotes upland rice root development and drought resistance,providing promising genetic targets for molecular breeding of drought-resistant rice varieties.

Tunable near-infrared light emission from layered TiS_(3) nanoribbons

The low-dimensional light source shows promise in photonic integrated circuits.Stable layered van der Waals material that exhibits luminescence in the near-infrared optical communication waveband is an essential component in on-chip light sources.Herein,the tunable near-infrared photoluminescence(PL)of the air-stable layered titanium trisulfide(TiS3)is reported.Compared with iodine particles as a transport agent,TiS3 grown by chemical vapor transport using sulfur powder as a transport agent has fewer sulfur vacancies,which increases the luminescence intensity by an order of magnitude.The PL emission wavelength can be regulated in the near-infrared regime by thickness control.In addition,we observed an interesting anisotropic strain response of PL in layered TiS3 nanoribbon:a blue shift of PL was achieved when the uniaxial tensile strain was applied along the b-axis,while a negligible shift was observed when the strain was applied along the a-axis.Our work reveals the tunable nearinfrared luminescent properties of TiS3 nanoribbons,suggesting their potential applications as near-infrared light sources in photonic integrated circuits.

Electrical control of excitonic oscillator strength and spatial distribution in a monolayer semiconductor

Electrical modulation of luminescence is significant to modern light-emitting devices.Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides are emerging direct-bandgap luminescent materials with unique excitonic properties,and the multiple exciton complexes provide new opportunities to modulate the property of luminescence in atomically thin semiconductors.Here,we report an electrical control of exciton emission in the oscillator strength and spatial distribution of excitons in a monolayer WS2.Effective modulation of excitonic emission intensity with a degree of modulation of~92%has been demonstrated by an electric field at room temperature.The spatial carrier redistribution tuned by a lateral electric field results in distinct excitonic emission patterns by design.The modulation approach to exciton oscillator strength and distribution provides an efficient way to investigate the exciton diffusion dynamics and to construct electrically tunable optoelectronic devices.

Rumen-protected lysine supplementation improved amino acid balance,nitrogen utilization and altered hindgut microbiota of dairy cows

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary crude protein(CP)and rumen-protected lysine(RPL)supplementation on lactation performance,amino acid(AA)balance,nitrogen(N)utilization and hindgut microbiota in dairy cows.Treatments were in a 2×2 factorial arrangement,and the main effects were CP concentration(16%vs.18%)and RPL supplementation(with or without RPL at40 g/cow per day).Forty cows were randomly allocated to 4 groups:low-CP diet(LP),low-CP diet plus RPL(LPL),high-CP diet(HP),high-CP diet plus RPL(HPL).The experiment was conducted for 8 weeks.Results showed that RPL increased the dry matter intake(P<0.01),milk protein yield(P=0.04)and energy corrected milk(P=0.04),and tended to increase milk fat yield(P=0.06)and fat corrected milk(P=0.05).Cows in the HP group tended to have higher milk urea N(P=0.07).Plasma concentrations of Arg,Ile,Lys,Met,Pro,total essential AA and total nonessential AA were increased by RPL(P<0.05).The total essential AA,total nonessential AA and most AA(except Ile,Phe,Gly and Pro)were increased in the HP group(P<0.05).N excretion was increased in the HP group through an increase in urea N excretion(P<0.01)and an upward trend in plasma urea N(P=0.07).In addition,RPL tended to increase milk protein N secretion(P=0.08),milk N(P=0.07)and microbial protein synthesis(P=0.06),and decreased plasma urea N(P<0.001).In the hindgut,the bacterial community were different between the LP and LPL groups(P<0.01).The probiotic abundances of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group and Acinetobacter were increased by RPL(P=0.03 and 0.03,respectively).The pathogenic abundances of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1(P<0.001)and Turicibacter(P<0.01)were decreased by RPL.In conclusion,supplementing RPL with low dietary CP could balance AA supply and increase milk protein yield,resulting in an improvement in N utilization efficiency,and altered the composition of the hindgut microbiota to favor the lactation performance of dairy cows.

Antibody-drug conjugates:Recent advances in linker chemistry

Antibody-drug conjugates(ADCs)are gradually revolutionizing clinical cancer therapy.The antibody-drug conjugate linker molecule determines both the efficacy and the adverse effects,and so has a major influence on the fate of ADCs.An ideal linker should be stable in the circulatory system and release the cytotoxic payload specifically in the tumor.However,existing linkers often release payloads nonspecifically and inevitably lead to off-target toxicity.This defect is becoming an increasingly important factor that restricts the development of ADCs.The pursuit of ADCs with optimal therapeutic windows has resulted in remarkable progress in the discovery and development of novel linkers.The present review summarizes the advance of the chemical trigger,linker-antibody attachment and linker-payload attachment over the last 5 years,and describes the ADMET properties of ADCs.This work also helps clarify future developmental directions for the linkers.

Abnormal intra-network architecture in extra-striate cortices in amblyopia: a resting state fMRI study

Background:Amblyopia(lazy eye)is one of the most common causes of monocular visual impairment.Intensive investigation has shown that amblyopes suffer from a range of deficits not only in the primary visual cortex but also the extra-striate visual cortex.However,amblyopic brain processing deficits in large-scale information networks especially in the visual network remain unclear.Methods:Through resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI),we studied the functional connectivity and efficiency of the brain visual processing networks in 18 anisometropic amblyopic patients and 18 healthy controls(HCs).Results:We found a loss of functional correlation within the higher visual network(HVN)and the visuospatial network(VSN)in amblyopes.Additionally,compared with HCs,amblyopic patients exhibited disruptions in local efficiency in the V3v(third visual cortex,ventral part)and V4(fourth visual cortex)of the HVN,as well as in the PFt,hIP3(human intraparietal area 3),and BA7p(Brodmann area 7 posterior)of the VSN.No significant alterations were found in the primary visual network(PVN).Conclusion:Our results indicate that amblyopia results in an intrinsic decrease of both network functional correlations and local efficiencies in the extra-striate visual networks.

How does Diagonal Subgroup Embedding Determine the Structure of a Group?

Let G be a finite group.Let D={(g,g)|g∈C},the main diagonalsubgroup of G x G.In this paper,we consider the suitable generalized normalities orindex of D in G x G,some interesting results are obtained.

Self-assembling, pH-responsive nanoflowers for inhibiting PAD4 and neutrophil extracellular trap formation and improving the tumor immune microenvironment

Self-assembling carrier-free nanodrugs are attractive agents because they accumulate at tumor by an enhanced permeability and retention(EPR) effect without introduction of inactive substances,and some nanodrugs can alter the immune environment. We synthesized a peptidyl arginine deiminase 4(PAD4) molecular inhibitor, ZD-E-1 M. It could self-assembled into nanodrug ZD-E-1. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, we observed its cellular colocalization, PAD4 activity and neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs) formation. The populations of immune cells and expression of immune-related proteins were determined by single-cell mass cytometry. ZD-E-1 formed nanoflowers in an acidic environment, whereas it formed nanospheres at pH 7.4. Accumulation of ZD-E-1 at tumor was pHresponsive because of its pH-dependent differences in the size and shape. It could enter the nucleus and bind to PAD4 to prolong the intracellular retention time. In mice, ZD-E-1 inhibited tumor growth and metastasis by inhibiting PAD4 activity and NETs formation. Besides, ZD-E-1 could regulate the ratio of immune cells in LLC tumor-bearing mice. Immunosuppressive proteins like LAG3 were suppressed,while IFN-γ and TNF-a as stimulators of tumor immune response were upregulated. Overall, ZD-E-1 is a self-assembling carrier-free nanodrug that responds to pH, inhibits PAD4 activity, blocks neutrophil extracellular traps formation, and improves the tumor immune microenvironment.

Synthesis of reversible PAD4 inhibitors via copper-catalyzed C-H arylation of benzimidazole

PAD4 is a promising epigenetic drug target for various cancers and immune diseases. In this work, we applied a Cu-catalyzed C–H arylation reaction of N-heteroarene to the synthesis of complex non-covalent PAD4 inhibitors bearing a bi-heteroaryl pharmacophore. This strategy allowed us to access various analogs of C_2-aryl substituted benzimidazoles from a common benzimidazole core and easily accessible aryl iodides. Preliminary SAR studies revealed the indole motif of GSK-484 is critical to its activity. Replacing the N-cyclopropylmethyl group to N-benzyl group on the indole ring of GSK-484 resulted in more than5-fold increase in cell killing efficacy against 4T1 cell line.

From prodrug to pro-prodrug:hypoxia-sensitive antibody–drug conjugates

Dear Editor,Antibody‒drug conjugates(ADCs),famous as biological targeting prodrugs,are gradually revolutionizing clinical cancer therapy.However,less than 1%of the dosed ADCs accumulate in the tumors.1 Therefore,the nonspecific release of the highly toxic payload(MMAE et al.,10−12–10−10 M)is a real threat,which could induce severe off-target toxicity.2 This danger necessitates strict requirements for the design of the linker.To date,the mainstream enzyme cleavable linkers,includingβ-glucuronidase cleavable linkers,sulfatase-cleavable linkers,and the most popular cathepsin cleavable linkers(valine-citrulline linker),all face this nonspecific release problem,3 because their cleaving enzymes are widely distributed with no significant difference in their quantities between tumor tissues and normal tissues.

LDL adsorbent with dendrimer PAMAM as spacer

Dendritic polymers are three-dimensional,highly ordered compounds formed by reiterative reaction sequences,and via discrete stages referred to as genera-tions.To study the spacer effect of low density lipoprotein(LDL)adsorbent,we linked dendrimer polyamidoamine(PAMAM)generation 1(G1),generation 3(G3)and gen-eration 5(G5)to cellulose beads,respectively,and then determined the adsorption proportion of the adsorbents with PAMAM decorated with taurine.The result shows that the spacer with activated multi-points could effi-ciently improve the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent.