The density–depth relationship of the Antarctic ice sheet is important for establishing a high-precision surface mass balance model and predicting future ice-sheet contributions to global sea levels. A new algorithm is used to reconstruct firn density and densification rate by inverting monostatic radio wave echoes from ground-operated frequency-modulated continuous wave radar data collected near four ice cores along the transect from Zhongshan Station to Dome A. The inverted density profile is consistent with the core data within 5.54% root mean square error. Due to snow redistribution, the densification rate within 88 km of ice core DT401 is correlated with the accumulation rate and varies greatly over horizontal distances of <5 km. That is, the depth at which a critical density of 830 kg m−3 is reached decreases and densification rate increases in high-accumulation regions but decreases in low-accumulation regions. This inversion technique can be used to analyse more Antarctic radar data and obtain the density distribution trend, which can improve the accuracy of mass-balance estimations.

Extreme cavitation scenarios, such as water column separations in hydraulic systems during transient processes caused by large cavitation bubbles, can lead to catastrophic destruction. In the present paper, we study the onset criteria and dynamics of large cavitation bubbles in a tube. A new cavitation number $Ca_2 = {l^*}^{-1} Ca_0$ is proposed to describe the maximum length $L_{max}$ of the cavitation bubble, where $l^*$ is a non-dimensional length of the water column indicating its slenderness, and $Ca_0$ is the classic cavitation number. Combined with the onset criteria for acceleration-induced cavitation ($Ca_1<1$, Pan et al., Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA, vol. 114, 2017, pp. 8470–8474), we show that the occurrence of large cylindrical cavitation bubbles requires both $Ca_2<1$ and $Ca_1<1$ simultaneously. We also establish a Rayleigh-type model for the dynamics of large cavitation bubbles in a tube. The bubbles collapse at a finite end speed, and the time from the maximum bubble size to collapse is $T_c=\sqrt {2}\sqrt {lL_{max}}\sqrt {{\rho }/{p_\infty }}$, where $l$ is the length of the water column, $L_{max}$ is the maximum bubble length, $\rho$ is the liquid density and $p_{\infty }$ is the reference pressure in the far field. The analytical results are validated against systematic experiments using a modified ‘tube-arrest’ apparatus, which can decouple acceleration and velocity. The results in the current work can guide design and operation of hydraulic systems encountering transient processes.

Pyroptosis is a recently identified mechanism of programmed cell death related to Caspase-1 that triggers a series of inflammatory reactions by releasing several proinflammatory factors such as IL-1β and IL-18. The process is characterised by the rupture of cell membranes and the release of cell contents through the mediation of gasdermin (GSDM) proteins. GSDMD is an important member of the GSDM family and plays a critical role in the two pathways of pyroptosis. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a microvascular complication of diabetes and a major cause of end-stage renal disease. Recently, it was revealed that GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of DN. In this review, we focus on two types of kidney cells, tubular epithelial cells and renal podocytes, to illustrate the mechanism of pyroptosis in DN and provide new ideas for the prevention, early diagnosis and molecular therapy of DN.

P values and confidence intervals (CIs) are the most widely used statistical indices in scientific literature. Several surveys have revealed that these two indices are generally misunderstood. However, existing surveys on this subject fall under psychology and biomedical research, and data from other disciplines are rare. Moreover, the confidence of researchers when constructing judgments remains unclear. To fill this research gap, we surveyed 1,479 researchers and students from different fields in China. Results reveal that for significant (i.e., p < .05, CI does not include zero) and non-significant (i.e., p > .05, CI includes zero) conditions, most respondents, regardless of academic degrees, research fields and stages of career, could not interpret p values and CIs accurately. Moreover, the majority were confident about their (inaccurate) judgements (see osf.io/mcu9q/ for raw data, materials, and supplementary analyses). Therefore, as misinterpretations of p values and CIs prevail in the whole scientific community, there is a need for better statistical training in science.

In the laser plasma interaction of quantum electrodynamics (QED)-dominated regime, γ-rays are generated due to synchrotron radiation from high-energy electrons traveling in a strong background electromagnetic field. With the aid of 2D particle-in-cell code including QED physics, we investigate the preplasma effect on the γ-ray generation during the interaction between an ultraintense laser pulse and solid targets. We found that with the increasing preplasma scale length, the γ-ray emission is enhanced significantly and finally reaches a steady state. Meanwhile, the γ-ray beam becomes collimated. This shows that, in some cases, the preplasmas will be piled up acting as a plasma mirror in the underdense preplasma region, where the γ-rays are produced by the collision between the forward electrons and the reflected laser fields from the piled plasma. The piled plasma plays the same role as the usual reflection mirror made from a solid target. Thus, a single solid target with proper scale length preplasma can serve as a manufactural and robust γ-ray source.

The microstructure of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) has a great influence on their fluorescence properties. Here, different microstructures of CQDs were synthesized by the selective oxidation of graphitized activated carbon using HNO3/HClO4 as the oxidant. We characterized the microstructure and surface chemistry of the CQDs, and the results show that the degree of graphitization of activated carbon has a significant effect on the structure and fluorescence properties of the obtained CQDs. The fluorescence of the CQD solution can be tuned from yellow to green by regulating the degree of graphitization of the activated carbon by heat treatment at high temperature (up to 2500 °C). Moreover, the increased degree of graphitization of the raw carbon precursor is beneficial for significantly reducing the fluorescence self-absorption quenching of the concentrated CQD solution. Importantly, the as-prepared CQDs have no cytotoxicity and can be used as bioimaging agents.

Underground Nuclear Astrophysics in China (JUNA) will take the advantage of the ultra-low background in Jinping underground lab. High current accelerator with an ECR source and detectors were commissioned. JUNA plans to study directly a number of nuclear reactions important to hydrostatic stellar evolution at their relevant stellar energies. At the first period, JUNA aims at the direct measurements of 25Mg(p,γ)26 Al, 19F(p,α) 16 O, 13C(α, n) 16O and 12C(α,γ) 16O near the Gamow window. The current progress of JUNA will be given.

We have modeled the luminosity-displacement correlation of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) with an evolutionary population synthesis (EPS) code. Detailed properties including offsets of simulated HMXBs are presented under both common envelope prescriptions usually adopted (i.e., the αCE formalism and the γ algorithm), and several theoretical models describing the natal kicks. We suggest that the distinct observational properties may be used as potential evidence to discriminate between models.

Using an evolutionary population synthesis code, we modeled the universal, featureless X-ray luminosity function of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) in star-forming galaxies. We put constraints on the natal kicks, super-Eddington accretion factor, as well as common envelope prescriptions usually adopted (i.e., the αCE formalism and the γ algorithm), and presented the detailed properties of HMXBs under different models, which may be investigated further by future high-resolution X-ray and optical observations.

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) have been clearly demonstrated to have anabolic effects on muscle protein synthesis. However, little is known about their roles in the regulation of net AA fluxes across skeletal muscle in vivo. This study was aimed to investigate the effect and related mechanisms of dietary supplementation of BCAA on muscle net amino acid (AA) fluxes using the hindlimb flux model. In all fourteen 4-week-old barrows were fed reduced-protein diets with or without supplemental BCAA for 28 d. Pigs were implanted with carotid arterial, femoral arterial and venous catheters, and fed once hourly with intraarterial infusion of p-amino hippurate. Arterial and venous plasma and muscle samples were obtained for the measurement of AA, branched-chain α-keto acids (BCKA) and 3-methylhistidine (3-MH). Metabolomes of venous plasma were determined by HPLC-quadrupole time-of-flight-MS. BCAA-supplemented group showed elevated muscle net fluxes of total essential AA, non-essential AA and AA. As for individual AA, muscle net fluxes of each BCAA and their metabolites (alanine, glutamate and glutamine), along with those of histidine, methionine and several functional non-essential AA (glycine, proline and serine), were increased by BCAA supplementation. The elevated muscle net AA fluxes were associated with the increase in arterial and intramuscular concentrations of BCAA and venous metabolites including BCKA and free fatty acids, and were also related to the decrease in the intramuscular concentration of 3-MH. Correlation analysis indicated that muscle net AA fluxes are highly and positively correlated with arterial BCAA concentrations and muscle net BCKA production. In conclusion, supplementing BCAA to reduced-protein diet increases the arterial concentrations and intramuscular catabolism of BCAA, both of which would contribute to an increase of muscle net AA fluxes in young pigs.

Feeding regime is an important concern for sea urchin aquaculture. However, optimal feed regimes have not been established for land-based sea urchin ventures using a formulated feed. In this study, we investigated the effects of short-term continuous and intermittent feeding regimes on food consumption, growth, gonad production and quality of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius (54.90 ± 2.28 mm of test diameter) fed a formulated feed. The results showed that (1) compared with initial conditions, all involved traits except a* (test diameter, test height, body weight, gonad weight, gonad index, gonad moisture, L* and b*) showed significant increase at the end of the experiments; (2) only the longest term feed regime tested in this trial (S2) significantly negatively affected growth and gonad production of S. intermedius fed a formulated feed; (3) there was a trend but this was not significant for inhibiting gonad development of S. intermedius in intermittent feeding regimes and there was no change in the gonad colour and sweetness; (4) S0.5 (fasting half day and then feeding half day) is the optimal intermittent feeding regime for S. intermedius fed a formulated feed. To our knowledge, the present study is the first report of finding an effective intermittent feeding regime for land-based cultured sea urchins of relatively large size, and thus has direct application potential in the field of aquaculture.

A defect in the intestinal barrier is one of the characteristics of Crohn's disease (CD). The tight junction (TJ) changes and death of epithelial cells caused by intestinal inflammation play an important role in the development of CD. DHA, a long-chain PUFA, has been shown to be helpful in treating inflammatory bowel disease in experimental models by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. The present study aimed at investigating the specific effect of DHA on the intestinal barrier function in IL-10-deficient mice. IL-10-deficient mice (IL-10− / −) at 16 weeks of age with established colitis were treated with DHA (i.g. 35·5 mg/kg per d) for 2 weeks. The severity of their colitis, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, epithelial gene expression, the distributions of TJ proteins (occludin and zona occludens (ZO)-1), and epithelial apoptosis in the proximal colon were measured at the end of the experiment. DHA treatment attenuated the established colitis and was associated with reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells in the colonic mucosa, lower mean histological scores and decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17, TNF-α and interferon-γ). Moreover, enhanced barrier function was observed in the DHA-treated mice that resulted from attenuated colonic permeability, rescued expression and corrected distributions of occludin and ZO-1. The results of the present study indicate that DHA therapy may ameliorate experimental colitis in IL-10− / − mice by improving the intestinal epithelial barrier function.

The focus of the review paper is to discuss how biotechnological innovations are opening new frontiers to mitigate nutrition in key agricultural crops with potential for large-scale health impact to people in Africa. The general objective of the Africa Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) project is to develop and deploy sorghum with enhanced pro-vitamin A to farmers and end-users in Africa to alleviate vitamin A-related micronutrient deficiency diseases. To achieve this objective the project technology development team has developed several promising high pro-vitamin A sorghum events. ABS 203 events are so far the most advanced and well-characterised lead events with about 12 μg β-carotene/g tissue which would supply about 40–50 % of the daily recommended vitamin A at harvest. Through gene expression optimisation other events with higher amounts of pro-vitamin A, including ABS 214, ABS 235, ABS 239 with 25, 30–40, 40–50 μg β-carotene/g tissue, respectively, have been developed. ABS 239 would provide twice recommended pro-vitamin A at harvest, 50–90 % after 3 months storage and 13–45 % after 6 months storage for children. Preliminary results of introgression of ABS pro-vitamin A traits into local sorghum varieties in target countries Nigeria and Kenya show stable introgression of ABS vitamin A into local farmer-preferred sorghums varieties. ABS gene Intellectual Property Rights and Freedom to Operate have been donated for use royalty free for Africa. Prior to the focus on the current target countries, the project was implemented by fourteen institutions in Africa and the USA. For the next 5 years, the project will complete ABS product development, complete regulatory science data package and apply for product deregulation in target African countries.

Effect of combined electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on the structures of a 3004 aluminum alloy ingot produced by horizontal direct chill casting was crystallographically investigated. The results showed that the structure was transformed from a mixture of equiaxed and fine columnar grains to coarse columnar grains with switching off the EMFs. With the EMFs the grain size is small and shows a uniform distribution, whereas without the EMFs it is increased and reveals inhomogeneous distribution on the cross section. Besides, a transition region composed of fine equiaxed grains appeared at the moment the EMFs were switched off (between the mixture and coarse columnar grains). Furthermore, the microstructure transformation is accompanied by a crystallographic orientation change from a preferred <100> orientation to a random orientation, and then to an intense <100> fiber texture. The structural and crystallographic transformations are mainly related to the forced convection in the melt due to the induced Lorentz force by the EMFs.

Approximately 50 % of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suffer from anaemia, with Fe deficiency being the most common cause. CD52 monoclonal antibody (mAb) targets the cell surface CD52 and is effective in depleting lymphocytes through cytolytic effects in vivo. The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of anti-mouse CD52 mAb on Fe-deficient anaemia in IBD. IL-10 knockout mice (IL-10− / −) of 12 weeks with established colitis were treated with anti-mouse CD52 mAb once per week for 2 weeks. Severity of colitis, blood T lymphocytes, blood Hb, haematocrit, plasma erythropoietin (EPO), serum Fe concentration, transferrin saturation, splenic Fe stores, expression of liver hepcidin mRNA, Western blotting of the phosphorylated form of Smad1/5/8 and total Smad1 were measured at the end of the experiment. IL-10− / − mice treated with CD52 mAb showed a reduction in the percentage of CD4+ and CD4+CD45+ T cells in blood and weight loss typically associated with colonic inflammation, serum levels of EPO, the expression of liver hepcidin mRNA and total Smad1 protein, while they showed an increase in Hb concentrations, haematocrit, levels of serum Fe, transferrin saturation and splenic Fe stores. The present results indicated that anti-CD52 therapy may ameliorate Fe-deficient anaemia by reducing colonic inflammation. These findings may open novel horizons in the treatment of patients with IBD by resetting of immunological homeostasis in the gut by depleting the activated T cells in the gut mucosa.

Morphological and crystallographic effects of a high magnetic field on the primary Al6Mn phase formed during the solidification of hypereutectic Al–3.25wt%Mn were investigated. Without the field, the primary Al6Mn crystals are mainly concentrated in the lower part and reveal a dispersed needle-like shape. In three dimension, the needles are in the form of a quadrangular prism (laterally bound by {110} and preferentially growing along <001>). When the magnetic field is applied, they tend to be distributed homogenously and show some extra agglomerate- or chain-like forms (preferentially extending along <100>). Furthermore, they also tend to preferentially orient with <100> parallel to the field direction. The homogenous distribution is caused by the magnetic viscosity resistance force. The “agglomerates” or “chains” are the result of a “bifurcation effect” due to the breakdown at the sharp edges of the quadrangular prisms. The preferential orientation should be attributed to the magnetocrystalline anisotropy of Al6Mn.

Using an evolutionary population synthesis code, we modeled the global emission of X-ray binaries in late-type galaxies, its relations with other physical properties (i.e., optical luminosity, stellar mass, etc.) of the galaxies, and their evolution with redshift over the cosmic history, which may be investigated further by future high-resolution X-ray and optical observations.