A common bushing is suggested to be upgraded into a bushing spring by thickening the rubber layer to pragmatize the dual vibration reduction structured (DVRS) active suspension. To remedy negative ...influence of the actuator equivalent inertial mass on the vertical vibration performance of the active suspension utilizing the rotary-motor actuator, a DVRS active suspension scheme via bushing spring is proposed and its corresponding nonlinear controller is specially developed. The "quasi-saturation" damping force and "inverse S-shaped" elastic force model is proposed to match the bushing spring test data. The corresponding nonlinear parameter visual optimization based H 2 /H ∞ controller is specially developed to deal with the nonlinear factors of the DVRS active suspension and the absence of linear damping of the bushing spring. Simulation and hardware-in the-loop experimental results corroborate the effectiveness of the featured DVRS active suspension regulated by the specially designed controller with good performances under both D-class and bumpy road running conditions, especially in reducing the body acceleration and improving vehicle ride comfort.
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Magnetic impurities in superconductors are of increasing interest due to emergent Yu-Shiba-Rusinov (YSR) states and Majorana zero modes for fault-tolerant quantum computation. ...However, a direct relationship between the YSR multiple states and magnetic anisotropy splitting of quantum impurity spins remains poorly characterized. By using scanning tunneling microscopy, we systematically resolve individual transition-metal (Fe, Cr, and Ni) impurities induced YSR multiplets as well as their Zeeman effects in the K3C60 superconductor. The YSR multiplets show identical d orbital-like wave functions that are symmetry-mismatched to the threefold K3C60(1 1 1) host surface, breaking point-group symmetries of the spatial distribution of YSR bound states in real space. Remarkably, we identify an unprecedented fermion-parity-preserving quantum phase transition between ground states with opposite signs of the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy that can be manipulated by an external magnetic field. These findings can be readily understood in terms of anisotropy splitting of quantum impurity spins, and thus elucidate the intricate interplay between the magnetic anisotropy and YSR multiplets.
The capacity of Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), an aerial plant, to adsorb radon (Rn) and absorb CO2 was assessed to analyze its capacity to remove pollutants from indoor air and to determine ...its radon (Rn) tolerance mechanism. Transcriptomics and metabolomics techniques were used to analyze the response of the plant to Rn exposure. Spanish moss absorbed indoor CO2 at night using the type of photosynthesis termed crassulacean acid metabolism. The CO2 absorption efficiency of the plant was mainly affected by the light duration and diurnal temperature differences. The highest purification efficiency was 48.25%, and the scales on the Spanish moss leaf surface were the key sites for Rn adsorption. Metabolome analysis showed that Rn exposure induced differential metabolites significantly enriched in the metabolism of lipids, amino acids, nucleotides, and carbohydrates. Transcriptome analysis showed significantly upregulated expression levels of functional genes in Rn-exposed leaves. Rn had significant effects on respiratory metabolism, as indicated by upregulated expression of metabolites and functional genes related to the glycolysis pathway, pyruvate oxidation, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation pathway. These responses indicated that the internal mechanism by which Spanish moss alleviates Rn stress involves an enhancement of cellular energy supplies and regulation of respiratory metabolic pathways to allow adaptation to Rn pollution.
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•Spanish moss has the dual function of purifying indoor Rn and CO2.•Rn exposure leads to the accumulation of primary metabolites in Spanish moss.•Rn exposure significantly induced gene expression in Spanish moss.•Respiration metabolism of Spanish moss is a key pathway in response to Rn exposure.
•Hemagglutination assay and ELISA confirmed plasma-induced SBA inactivation.•SBA inactivation was related to the oxidative effects of plasma treatment.•Oxidation of NH-/NH2- of peptide bond and ...protein modification caused the inactivation.
In this study, potential of dielectric-barrier discharge (DBD) plasma treatment (40 kV, 12 kHz at 1, 2, 3 and 4 min) to eliminate soybean agglutinin (SBA) activity was investigated in a SBA model system and soymilk. The plasma treatment decreased the SBA in the model system and hemagglutination activity was decreased by 87.31%. SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed the degradation of the SBA polypeptide chain. The multi-spectroscopic analysis revealed a two-stage structure alteration in the SBA upon exposure to the plasma treatment. Oxidation of NH-/NH2- at the peptide bond disrupted the hydrogen bonds and altered the secondary structure of SBA. Further oxidation of aromatic amino acid, cleavage of peptide bonds and the breakage of polypeptide led to the SBA fragmentation and complete unfolding of the protein. The SBA inactivation by the plasma treatment was confirmed in soymilk. Plasma treatment is a promising technology for the elimination of SBA in soybean product.
Abstract
Aldehyde is one of most synthetically versatile functional groups and can participate in numerous chemical transformations. While a variety of simple aromatic aldehydes are commercially ...available, those with a more complex substitution pattern are often difficult to obtain. Benzylic oxygenation of methylarenes is a highly attractive method for aldehyde synthesis as the starting materials are easy to obtain and handle. However, regioselective oxidation of functionalized methylarenes, especially those that contain heterocyclic moieties, to aromatic aldehydes remains a significant challenge. Here we show an efficient electrochemical method that achieves site-selective electrooxidation of methyl benzoheterocycles to aromatic acetals without using chemical oxidants or transition-metal catalysts. The acetals can be converted to the corresponding aldehydes through hydrolysis in one-pot or in a separate step. The synthetic utility of our method is highlighted by its application to the efficient preparation of the antihypertensive drug telmisartan.
•A significant reduction (58.2%) in IgG binding capacity of β-LG was achieved.•IgG binding capacity of β-LG was related to stepwise change in its structure.•Initial drop in IgG binding capacity was ...caused by conformational alteration.•Further drop in IgG binding capacity was due to fragmentation of β-LG.
The present study investigated the effects of dielectric-barrier-discharge (DBD) plasma treatment (12 kHz, 40 kV) at 1, 2, 3, and 4 min on the reduction of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) binding capacity of β-lactoglobulin (β-LG). The IgG binding capacity of β-LG was reduced by 58.21% following a plasma treatment time of 4 min, as confirmed by western-blot and ELISA analyses. The reduction in IgG binding capacity of β-LG was directly related to a stepwise change in its structure. The initial drop in the IgG binding capacity of β-LG was found to be caused by conformational alteration, free sulfhydryl exposure and cross-linkage of molecules induced by oxidation of NH–/NH2– functional groups of peptide bonds and of sensitive amino acid residues (Tyr, Trp) as confirmed by SDS-PAGE, surface hydrophobicity and multi-spectroscopic analyses. Plasma treatment of more than 3 min resulted in cleavage of disulfidebonds and fragmentation of β-LG that was confirmed by LC–MS/MS analysis, which resulted a further decline in the IgG binding capacity of β-LG. Plasma treatment therefore has great potential as a substitute treatment for enzymatic hydrolysis for the production of hypoallergenic milk protein-based products.
Fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) regulates hair length in humans and a variety of other animals. To investigate whether FGF5 has similar effects in sheep, we used clustered regularly interspaced ...short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR‐associated 9 (Cas9) to generate loss‐of‐function mutations with the FGF5 gene in Chinese Merino sheep. A total of 16 lambs were identified with genetic mutations within the targeting locus: 13 lambs had biallelic modifications and three lambs had monoallelic modifications. Characterization of the modifications revealed that 13 were frameshift mutations that led to premature termination, whereas the other three were in‐frame deletions. Thus, CRISPR/Cas9 efficiently generated loss‐of‐function mutations in the sheep FGF5 gene. We then investigated the effect of loss of FGF5 function on wool traits in 12 lambs and found that wool staple length and stretched length of genetically modified (GM) yearling sheep were significantly longer compared with that of wild‐type (WT) control animals. The greasy fleece weight of GM yearling sheep was also significantly greater compared with that of WT sheep. Moreover, the mean fiber diameter in GM sheep showed no significant difference compared with WT sheep, suggesting that the increase in greasy fleece weight was likely attributed to the increase in wool length. The results of this study suggest that CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated loss of FGF5 activity could promote wool growth and, consequently, increase wool length and yield.
Fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) regulates hair length in a variety of animals. In this study, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to generate loss‐of‐function mutations of FGF5 in Chinese Merino sheep and observed an elongation of wool staple length and greater grease fleece weight in 12 yearling targeted founders. Our work indicates that loss of FGF5 function could promote wool growth and consequently increase wool length and yield.
Although 5-HT has been implicated in cholestatic itch and antinociception, two common phenomena in patients with cholestatic disease, the roles of 5-HT receptor subtypes are unclear. Herein, we ...investigated the roles of 5-HT receptors in itch and antinociception associated with cholestasis, which was induced by common bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. 5-HT-induced enhanced scratching and antinociception to mechanical and heat stimuli were demonstrated in BDL rats. 5-HT level in the skin and spinal cord was significantly increased in BDL rats. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed 5-HT
, 5-HT
, 5-HT
, 5-HT
, 5-HT
, 5-HT
, and 5-HT
were up-regulated in peripheral nervous system and 5-HT
, 5-HT
, 5-HT
, and 5-HT
were down-regulated in the spinal cord of BDL rats. Intradermal 5-HT
, 5-HT
, and 5-HT
receptor agonists induced scratching in BDL rats, whereas 5-HT
agonist did not induce scratching in sham rats. 5-HT
, 5-HT
, 5-HT
, and 5-HT
agonists or antagonists suppressed itch in BDL rats. 5-HT
agonist attenuated, but 5-HT
antagonist enhanced antinociception in BDL rats. 5-HT
and 5-HT
agonists or antagonists attenuated antinociception in BDL rats. Our data suggested peripheral and central 5-HT system dynamically participated in itch and antinociception under cholestasis condition and targeting 5-HT receptors may be an effective treatment for cholestatic itch.
Bilayer graphene consists of two stacked graphene layers bound together by van der Waals interaction. As the molecular analog of bilayer graphene, molecular bilayer graphene (MBLG) can offer useful ...insights into the structural and functional properties of bilayer graphene. However, synthesis of MBLG, which requires discrete assembly of two graphene fragments, has proved to be challenging. Here, we show the synthesis and characterization of two structurally well-defined MBLGs, both consisting of two π-π stacked nanographene sheets. We find they have excellent stability against variation of concentration, temperature and solvents. The MBLGs show sharp absorption and emission peaks, and further time-resolved spectroscopic studies reveal drastically different lifetimes for the bright and dark Davydov states in these MBLGs.
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