Water Impalement Resistance and Drag Reduction of the Superhydrophobic Surface with Hydrophilic Strips.

Superhydrophobic surfaces (SHS) offer versatile applications by trapping an air layer within microstructures, while water jet impact can destabilize this air layer and deactivate the functions of the SHS. The current work presents for the first time that introducing parallel hydrophilic strips to SHS (SHS-s) can simultaneously improve both water impalement resistance and drag reduction (DR). Compared with SHS, SHS-s demonstrates a 125% increase in the enduring time against the impact of water jet with velocity of 11.9 m/s and a 97% improvement in DR at a Reynolds number of 1.4 × 104. The key mechanism lies in the enhanced stability of the air layer due to air confinement by the adjacent three-phase contact lines. These lines not only impede air drainage through the surface microstructures during water jet impact, entrapping the air layer to resist water impalement, but also prevent air floating up due to buoyancy in Taylor-Couette flow, ensuring an even spread of the air layer all over the rotor, boosting DR. Moreover, failure modes of SHS under water jet impact are revealed to be related to air layer decay and surface structure destruction. This mass-producible structured surface holds the potential for widespread use in DR for hulls, autonomous underwater vehicles, and submarines.

Wetting Behavior of Inkjet-Printed Electronic Inks on Patterned Substrates.

In inkjet printing technology, one important factor influencing the printing quality and reliability of printed films is the interaction of the jetted ink with the substrate surface. This short-range interaction determines the wettability and the adhesion of the ink to the solid surface and is hence responsible for the final shape of the deposited ink. Here, we investigate wetting morphologies of inkjet-printed inks on patterned substrates by carefully designed experimental test structures and simulations. The contact angles, the surface properties, and drop shapes, as well as their influence on the device variability, are experimentally and theoretically analyzed. For the simulations, we employ the phase-field method, which is based on the free energy minimization of the two-phase system with the given wetting boundary conditions. Through a systematic investigation of printed drops on patterned substrates consisting of hydrophilic and hydrophobic areas, we report that the printed morphology is related not only to the designed layout and the drop volume but also to the printing strategy and the wettability. Furthermore, we show how one can modify the intrinsic wettability of the patterned substrates to enhance the printing quality and reliability. Based on the present findings, we cast light on the improvement of the fabrication quality of thin film transistors.

Evolution dynamics of thin liquid structures investigated using a phase-field model.

Liquid structures of thin-films and torus droplets are omnipresent in daily lives. The morphological evolution of liquid structures suspending in another immiscible fluid and sitting on a solid substrate is investigated by using three-dimensional (3D) phase-field (PF) simulations. Here, we address the evolution dynamics by scrutinizing the interplay of surface energy, kinetic energy, and viscous dissipation, which is characterized by Reynolds number Re and Weber number We. We observe special droplet breakup phenomena by varying Re and We. In addition, we gain the essential physical insights into controlling the droplet formation resulting from the morphological evolution of the liquid structures by characterizing the top and side profiles under different circumstances. We find that the shape evolution of the liquid structures is intimately related to the initial shape, Re, We as well as the intrinsic wettability of the substrate. Furthermore, it is revealed that the evolution dynamics are determined by the competition between the coalescence phenomenology and the hydrodynamic instability of the liquid structures. For the coalescence phenomenology, the liquid structure merges onto itself, while the hydrodynamic instability leads to the breakup of the liquid structure. Last but not least, we investigate the influence of wall relaxation on the breakup outcome of torus droplets on substrates with different contact angles. We shed light on how the key parameters including the initial shape, Re, We, wettability, and wall relaxation influence the droplet dynamics and droplet formation. These findings are anticipated to contribute insights into droplet-based systems, potentially impacting areas like ink-jet printing, drug delivery systems, and microfluidic devices, where the interplay of surface energy, kinetic energy, and viscous dissipation plays a crucial role.

Effect of wall free energy formulation on the wetting phenomenon: Conservative Allen-Cahn model.

Cahn introduced the concept of wall energy to describe the interaction between two immiscible fluids and a solid wall [J. W. Cahn, J. Chem. Phys. 66, 3667-3672 (1977)]. This quintessential concept has been successfully applied to describe various wetting phenomena of a droplet in contact with a solid surface. The usually formulated wall free energy results in the so-called surface composition that is not equal to the bulk composition. This composition difference leads to a limited range of contact angles which can be achieved by the linear/high-order polynomial wall free energy. To address this issue and to improve the adaptability of the model, we symmetrically discuss the formulation of the wall free energy on the Young's contact angle via Allen-Cahn model. In our model, we modify the calculation of the fluid-solid interfacial tensions according to the Cahn's theory by considering the excess free energy contributed by the distorted composition profile induced by the surface effect. Additionally, we propose a semi-obstacle wall free energy which enforces the surface composition to be the bulk composition within the framework of bulk obstacle potential. By this way, the accuracy of the contact angle close to 0° and 180° is significantly improved in the phase-field simulations. We further reveal that the volume preservation term in the conservative Allen-Cahn model has a more significant impact on the wetting behavior on superhydrophobic surfaces than on hydrophilic surfaces, which is attributed to the curvature effect. Our findings provide alternative insights into wetting behavior on superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic surfaces.

Insights into substitution strategy towards thermodynamic and property regulation of chemically recyclable polymers.

The development of chemically recyclable polymers serves as an attractive approach to address the global plastic pollution crisis. Monomer design principle is the key to achieving chemical recycling to monomer. Herein, we provide a systematic investigation to evaluate a range of substitution effects and structure-property relationships in the ɛ-caprolactone (CL) system. Thermodynamic and recyclability studies reveal that the substituent size and position could regulate their ceiling temperatures (Tc). Impressively, M4 equipped with a tert-butyl group displays a Tc of 241 °C. A series of spirocyclic acetal-functionalized CLs prepared by a facile two-step reaction undergo efficient ring-opening polymerization and subsequent depolymerization. The resulting polymers demonstrate various thermal properties and a transformation of the mechanical performance from brittleness to ductility. Notably, the toughness and ductility of P(M13) is comparable to the commodity plastic isotactic polypropylene. This comprehensive study is aimed to provide a guideline to the future monomer design towards chemically recyclable polymers.

d-Glucosamine induces circadian phase delay by promoting BMAL1 degradation through AMPK/mTOR pathway.

Circadian rhythms are closely linked to the metabolic network through circadian feedback regulation. The hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP) is a branch of glucose metabolism that affects circadian rhythms through the O-linked N-acetylglucosamine modification (O-GlcNAcylation) of clock proteins. Here, we found out that, among the downstream metabolites regulated by d-glucosamine (GlcN) in HBP salvage pathway, only GlcN is able to induce circadian phase delay both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistic studies indicated that the phase-shift induced by GlcN is independent of O-GlcNAcylation. Instead, GlcN selectively up-regulates p-AMPK activity, leading to the inhibition of mTOR signaling pathway, and thus down-regulation of p-BMAL1 both in human cell line and mouse tissues. Moreover, GlcN promoted BMAL1 degradation via proteasome pathway. These findings reveal a novel molecular mechanism of GlcN in regulating clock phase and suggest the therapeutic potential of GlcN as new use for an old drug in the future treatment of shift work and circadian misalignment.

Wetting Effect on Patterned Substrates.

A droplet deposited on a solid substrate leads to the wetting phenomenon. A natural observation is the lotus effect, known for its superhydrophobicity. This special feature is engendered by the structured microstructure of the lotus leaf, namely, surface heterogeneity, as explained by the quintessential Cassie-Wenzel theory (CWT). In this work, recent designs of functional substrates are overviewed based on the CWT via manipulating the contact area between the liquid and the solid substrate as well as the intrinsic Young's contact angle. Moreover, the limitation of the CWT is discussed. When the droplet size is comparable to the surface heterogeneity, anisotropic wetting morphology often appears, which is beyond the scope of the Cassie-Wenzel work. In this case, several recent studies addressing the anisotropic wetting effect on chemically and mechanically patterned substrates are elucidated. Surface designs for anisotropic wetting morphologies are summarized with respect to the shape and the arrangement of the surface heterogeneity, the droplet volume, the deposition position of the droplet, as well as the mean curvature of the surface heterogeneity. A thermodynamic interpretation for the wetting effect and the corresponding open questions are presented at the end.

Nanoliter Scale Parallel Liquid-Liquid Extraction for High-Throughput Purification on a Droplet Microarray.

In the current drug discovery process, the synthesis of compound libraries is separated from biological screenings both conceptually and technologically. One of the reasons is that parallel on-chip high-throughput purification of synthesized compounds is still a major challenge. Here, on-chip miniaturized high-throughput liquid-liquid extraction in volumes down to 150 nL with efficiency comparable to or better than large-scale extraction utilizing separation funnels is demonstrated. The method is based on automated and programmable merging of arrays of aqueous nanoliter droplets with organic droplets. Multi-step extraction performed simultaneously or with changing conditions as well as handling of femtomoles of compounds are demonstrated. In addition, the extraction efficiency is analyzed with a fast optical readout as well as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry on-chip detection. The new massively parallel and miniaturized purification method adds another important tool to the chemBIOS concept combining chemical combinatorial synthesis with biological screenings on the same miniaturized droplet microarray platform, which will be essential to accelerate drug discovery.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi in patients with diarrhea and in animals in the northeastern Chinese city of Yichun: genotyping and assessment of potential zoonotic transmission.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a common microsporidia species in humans and animals. Due to lack of effective vaccines and drugs, understanding of its epidemiological status and characteristics in different hosts is an important step in controlling the infection. The present study aimed at determining the prevalence of E. bieneusi in humans with diarrhea and animals in Yichun, in northeastern China, and assessing the epidemiological role of animals in the transmission of microsporidiosis. A total of 540 fecal samples were collected from diarrheal patients (n = 222) and 11 animal species (n = 318). Enterocytozoon bieneusi was identified and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in 1.4% (3/222) of diarrheal patients, and genotype D and novel genotypes YCHH1 and YCHH2 were identified. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in wild boars (7.7%), sika deer (8.2%), dogs (3.2%), and ostriches (10.7%), and genotypes D, Type IV, Peru6, BEB6 and novel genotypes YCHA1, YCHA2 and YCHA3 were identified. Genotypes YCHH1, YCHH2 and YCHA1 were phylogenetically assigned to group 1, while YCHA2 and YCHA3 to groups 2 and 11, respectively. The finding of genotype D in humans and animals, and the identification of zoonotic genotypes Peru6, Type IV, BEB6 in animal-derived E. bieneusi isolates indicate the potential of zoonotic transmission of microsporidiosis in the investigated area. The observation of the three novel genotypes in group 1 indicates their zoonotic potential.

Title: Enterocytozoon bieneusi chez des patients souffrant de diarrhée et des animaux dans la ville de Yichun, au nord-est de la Chine: génotypage et évaluation de la transmission zoonotique potentielle. Abstract: Enterocytozoon bieneusi est une espèce de microsporidie commune chez les humains et les animaux. En raison du manque de vaccins et de médicaments efficaces, la compréhension de son statut épidémiologique et de ses caractéristiques chez différents hôtes est une étape importante dans le contrôle de l'infection. La présente étude visait à déterminer la prévalence d'E. bieneusi chez les humains souffrant de diarrhée et les animaux à Yichun, dans le nord-est de la Chine, et à évaluer le rôle épidémiologique des animaux dans la transmission de la microsporidiose. Cinq cent quarante échantillons fécaux ont été prélevés chez des patients diarrhéiques (n = 222) et 11 espèces animales (n = 318). Enterocytozoon bieneusi a été identifié et génotypé par PCR et séquençage de la région de l'espaceur interne transcrit (ITS) du gène de l'ARNr. Enterocytozoon bieneusi a été détecté chez 1,4 % (3/222) des patients souffrant de diarrhée, et le génotype D et les nouveaux génotypes YCHH1 et YCHH2 ont été identifiés. Enterocytozoon bieneusi a été détecté chez des sangliers (7,7 %), des cerfs sika (8,2 %), des chiens (3,2 %) et des autruches (10,7 %), et les génotypes D, Type IV, Peru6, BEB6 et les nouveaux génotypes YCHA1, YCHA2 et YCHA3 ont été identifiés. Les génotypes YCHH1, YCHH2 et YCHA1 ont été phylogénétiquement assignés au groupe 1, et YCHA2 et YCHA3 respectivement aux groupes 2 et 11. La découverte du génotype D chez les humains et les animaux et l'identification des génotypes zoonotiques Peru6, Type IV, BEB6 dans les isolats d'E. bieneusi d'origine animale indiquent le potentiel de transmission zoonotique de la microsporidiose dans la zone étudiée. L'observation des trois nouveaux génotypes dans le groupe 1 indique leur potentiel zoonotique.

Highly Reactive Cyclic Carbonates with a Fused Ring toward Functionalizable and Recyclable Polycarbonates.

Monomer design plays an important role in the development of polymers with desired thermal properties and chemical recyclability. Here we prepared a class of seven-membered ring carbonates containing trans-cyclohexyl fused rings. These monomers showed excellent activity for ring-opening polymerization (ROP) with turnover frequency (TOF) up to 6 × 105 h-1 and catalyst loading down to 50 ppm, which yielded high-molecular-weight polycarbonates (Mn up to 673 kg/mol) with great thermostability (Td > 300 °C). Ultimately, the resulting polycarbonates can completely depolymerize into their corresponding cyclic dimers that can repolymerize to synthesize the starting polymers in moderate yields, demonstrating a potential route to achieve chemical recycling. Postfunctionalization of the unsaturated polycarbonate was conducted through cross-linking reaction and "click" reaction under UV irradiation.

Giardia duodenalis in patients with diarrhea and various animals in northeastern China: prevalence and multilocus genetic characterization.

BACKGROUND: Giardia duodenalis is a common parasitic diarrheal agent in humans, especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and multilocus genetic characterization of G. duodenalis in patients with diarrhea and animals in northeastern China, and to assess the epidemiological role of animals in the transmission of human giardiasis. METHODS: A total of 1739 fecal specimens from 413 diarrheal patients and 1326 animals comprising 16 mammal species were collected in Heilongjiang Province of China and screened for G. duodenalis by PCR and sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene. All G. duodenalis-positive specimens were subtyped by PCR and sequencing of the bg, tpi, and gdh genes. To detect additional mixed infections of different assemblages, assemblage A/B/E-specific PCRs were performed to amplify the tpi gene. RESULTS: Sequence analysis of the SSU rRNA gene determined the prevalence of G. duodenalis (5.81%, 24/413) in diarrheal patients, with a peak in minors aged 5-17 years, and identified assemblages A and B. MLG-AII and MLG-B1 were obtained based on concatenated nucleotide sequences of the bg, tpi, and gdh genes, with MLG-AII being identical to a cat-derived isolate reported previously. By sequence analysis of the SSU rRNA gene, G. duodenalis was detected in 214 (16.14%) animals belonging to 11 mammal species, with the prevalence ranging from 1.69 to 53.85%, and assemblages A to G were identified. Sequence analysis of the bg, tpi, and gdh genes from 46 specimens produced 31 MLGs, including MLG-AI (n = 1), MLG-B2-B8 (n = 18), and MLG-E1-E23 (n = 27). CONCLUSIONS: The finding of G. duodenalis in diarrheal patients enhances consciousness of detecting G. duodenalis in clinical practice and emphasizes the importance of health education in local inhabitants, especially in the age group of 5-17 years. The identification of seven assemblages (A to G) and 33 MLGs reveals genetic heterogeneity of G. duodenalis in the investigated areas. Due to insufficient homology data on the zoonotic transmission of G. duodenalis, the precise epidemiological role that animals play in the transmission of human giardiasis needs to be assessed by more large-scale molecular epidemiological investigations of local humans and animals.

Equilibrium droplet shapes on chemically patterned surfaces: theoretical calculation, phase-field simulation, and experiments.

HYPOTHESIS: Droplet wetting on a solid substrate is affected by the surface heterogeneity. Introducing patterned wettability on the solid substrate is expected to engender anisotropic wetting morphologies, thereby manipulating droplet wetting behaviors. However, when the droplet size is comparable with that of the surface heterogeneity, the wetting morphologies cannot be depicted by the quintessential Cassie's theory but should be possible to be predicted from the perspective of thermodynamics via surface energy minimization. METHODS: Here, we investigate the equilibrium droplet shapes on chemically patterned substrates by using an analytical model, phase-field simulations, and experiments. The former two methods are sharp and diffuse interface treatments, respectively, which both are based on minimizing the free energy of the system. The experimental results are obtained by depositing droplets on chemically patterned glass substrates. FINDINGS: Various anisotropic wetting shapes are found from the three methods. Excellent agreement is observed between different methods, showing the possibility to quantify the anisotropic wetting droplet morphologies on patterned substrates by present methods. We also address a series of non-rotationally symmetric droplet shapes, which is the first resport about these special wetting morphologies. Furthermore, we reveal the anisotropic wetting shapes in a quasi-equilibrium evaporation process.

Liquid Wells as Self-Healing, Functional Analogues to Solid Vessels.

Liquids are traditionally handled and stored in solid vessels. Solid walls are not functional, adaptive, or self-repairing, and are difficult to remove and re-form. Liquid walls can overcome these limitations, but cannot form free-standing 3D walls. Herein, a liquid analogue of a well, termed a "liquid well" is introduced. Water tethered to a surface with hydrophobic-hydrophilic core-shell patterns forms stable liquid walls capable of containing another immiscible fluid, similar to fluid confinement by solid walls. Liquid wells with different liquids, volumes, and shapes are prepared and investigated by confocal and Raman microscopy. The confinement of various low-surface-tension liquids (LSTLs) on surfaces by liquid wells can compete with or be complementary to existing confinement strategies using perfluorinated surfaces, for example, in terms of the shape and height of the confined LSTLs. Liquid wells show unique properties arising from their liquid aggregate state: they are self-healing, dynamic, and functional, that is, not restricted to a passive confining role. Water walls can be easily removed and re-formed, making them interesting as sacrificial templates. This is demonstrated in a process termed water-templated polymerization (WTP). Numerical phase-field model simulations are performed to scrutinize the conditions required for the formation of stable liquid wells.

Phase-Field Modeling of Multiple Emulsions Via Spinodal Decomposition.

Currently, multiple emulsions via liquid-liquid phase separation in ternary polymer solutions have sparked considerable interest because of its remarkable potential in physical, medical, and biological applications. The transient "onion-like" multilayers are highly dependent on the evolution kinetics, which is challenging to be scrutinized in experiments and has not yet been fully understood. Here, we report a thermodynamically consistent multicomponent Cahn-Hilliard model to investigate the kinetics of multiple emulsions by tracing the temporal evolution of the local compositions inside the emulsion droplets. We reveal that the mechanism governing the kinetics is attributed to the competition between surface energy minimization and phase separation. Based on this concept, a generalized morphology diagram for different emulsion patterns is achieved, showing a good accordance with previous experiments. Moreover, combining the analysis for the kinetics and the morphology diagram, we predict new emulsion structures that provide general guidelines to discovery, design, and manipulation of complex multiphase emulsions.

Prevalence and Genetic Characterization of Two Mitochondrial Gene Sequences of Strobilocercus Fasciolaris in the Livers of Brown Rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Heilongjiang Province in Northeastern China.

Rodents constitute the largest and most successful group of mammals worldwide. Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are one of the most common rodent species, and they serve as intermediate hosts of Hydatigera taeniaeformis. Although there have been a few studies reporting on the presence of the larval form of H. taeniaeformis (strobilocercus fasciolaris) in brown rats worldwide, little information is available on the genetic characterization of this parasite, with no molecular data from China. Therefore, from April 2014 to March 2016, this study was carried out to understand the prevalence and genetic characters of strobilocercus fasciolaris in brown rats captured in Heilongjiang Province in northeastern China. The livers of brown rats were collected and examined for the presence of cysts. Each cyst was identified based on morphological observation: the larvae with the naked eye and the scolexes under a microscope. The results were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (nad4) genes. At the investigated sites, 11.8% (13/110) of the brown rats were infected with strobilocercus fasciolaris. Based on sequence analysis, there were 10 and six haplotypes regarding the cox1 and the nad4 loci, with 24 and 42 polymorphic sites, respectively (degree of intraspecific variation: 0.3%-4.4% and 0.6%-4.7%, respectively). Twelve nucleotide sequences (six of the 10 at the cox1 locus and all six at the nad4 locus) have not previously been described. Base differences in three of the six novel cox1 gene sequences and five of the six novel nad4 gene sequences caused amino acid changes. Phylogenetic analyses of the cox1 and nad4 gene sequences based on neighbor-joining and Bayesian inference trees indicated that all the strobilocercus fasciolaris isolates belonged to Hydatigera taeniaeformis sensu stricto (s.s.). This is the first report on the genetic characterization of strobilocercus fasciolaris in brown rats in China. The findings of novel cox1 and nad4 nucleotide and amino acid sequences may reflect the region-specific genetic characterization of the parasite. The data will be useful to explore the biological and epidemiological significance of the intraspecific variation within H. taeniaeformis s.s.

Identification of Uncommon Cryptosporidiumviatorum (a Novel Subtype XVcA2G1c) and Cryptosporidium andersoni as Well as Common Giardia duodenalis Assemblages A and B in Humans in Myanmar.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are two important zoonotic intestinal protozoa responsible for diarrheal diseases in humans and animals worldwide. Feces from infected hosts, water and food contaminated by Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts as well as predictors such as poverty have been involved in their transmission. Myanmar is one of the world's most impoverished countries. To date, there are few epidemiological studies of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in humans. To understand the prevalence and genetic characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in humans in Myanmar, a molecular epidemiological investigation of the two protozoa was conducted in four villages of Shan State. 172 fecal specimens were collected from Wa people (one each) and identified for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis by sequence analysis of their respective small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. 1.74% of investigated people were infected with Cryptosporidium spp.-C. andersoni (n = 2) and C. viatorum (n = 1) while 11.05% infected with G. duodenalis-assemblages A (n = 6) and B (n = 13). By sequence analysis of 60-kDa glycoprotein gene, the C. viatorum isolate belonged to a novel subtype XVcA2G1c. DNA preparations positive for G. duodenalis were further subtyped. Five of them were amplified and sequenced successfully: different assemblage B sequences (n = 2) at the triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) locus; sub-assemblage AII sequence (n = 1) and identical assemblage B sequences (n = 2) at the ß-giardin (bg) locus. This is the first molecular epidemiological study of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in humans in Myanmar at both genotype and subtype levels. Due to unclear transmission patterns and dynamics of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis, future research effort should focus on molecular epidemiological investigations of the two parasites in humans and animals living in close contact in the investigated areas, even in whole Myanmar. These data will aid in making efficient control strategies to intervene with and prevent occurrence of both diseases.

Manganese(iii)-promoted tandem phosphinoylation/cyclization of 2-arylindoles/2-arylbenzimidazoles with disubstituted phosphine oxides.

A simple and practical method for the synthesis of phosphoryl-substituted indolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones and benzimidazo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-6(5H)-ones through manganese(iii)-promoted tandem phosphinoylation/cyclization of 2-arylindoles or 2-arylbenzimidazoles with disubstituted phosphine oxides was developed. In this transformation, new C-P bond and C-C bond were constructed simultaneously under silver-free conditions, exhibiting a broad substrate scope. It was noted that not only diarylphosphine oxides but also dialkyl and arylalkyl-phosphine oxides were compatible with the conditions.

Multilocus Sequence Typing of Enterocytozoon bieneusi Isolates From Various Mammal and Bird Species and Assessment of Population Structure and Substructure.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is one of the most common intestinal pathogens in humans and animals. E. bieneusi has been confirmed to be complex microsporidian species. Approximately 500 ITS genotypes of E. bieneusi have been defined. With the establishment and application of multilocus sequencing typing and population genetic tools in E. bieneusi, the studies on these aspects have been carried out worldwide, but little information is available. To understand genetic variation of mini-/micro-satellites and the population structure and substructure of E. bieneusi in northeastern China, 305 E. bieneusi DNA specimens composed of 28 ITS genotypes were from 13 mammal species and five bird species in the investigated areas. They were characterized by nested-PCR amplification and sequencing at four mini-/micro-satellite loci (MS1, MS3, MS4, and MS7). At the MS1, MS3, MS4, and MS7 loci, 153 (50.16%), 131 (42.95%), 133 (43.61%), and 128 (41.97%) DNA specimens were amplified and sequenced successfully with 44, 17, 26, and 24 genotypes being identified, respectively. Multilocus genotypes (MLGs) showed a higher genetic diversity than ITS genotypes. 48 MLGs were produced out of 90 ITS-positive DNA specimens based on concatenated sequences of all the five genetic loci including ITS. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) and limited genetic recombination were observed by measuring LD using both multilocus sequences and allelic profile data, indicating an overall clonal population structure of E. bieneusi in the investigated areas. These data will aid in the longitudinal tracking of the attribution of source of infection/contamination and in elucidating transmission dynamics, and will provide valuable information for making efficient control strategies to intervene with and prevent occurrence of microsporidiosis caused by E. bieneusi among animals and transmission of E. bieneusi from animals to humans in the investigated areas. Phylogenetic and network analyses identified three different subgroups, revealing the presence of host-shaped segregation and the absence of geographical segregation in E. bieneusi population. Meanwhile, the MLGs from zoonotic ITS genotypes were observed to be basically separated from the MLGs from host-adapted ones. Assessment of substructure will have a reference effect on understanding of zoonotic or interspecies transmission of E. bieneusi and evolution direction from zoonotic genotypes to host-adapted genotypes.

How do chemical patterns affect equilibrium droplet shapes?

By utilizing a proposed analytical model in combination with the phase-field method, we present a comprehensive study on the effect of chemical patterns on equilibrium droplet morphologies. Here, three influencing factors, the droplet sizes, contact angles, and the ratios of the hydrophilic area to the hydrophobic area, are contemplated. In the analytical model, chemical heterogeneities are described by different non-linear functions. By tuning these functions and the related parameters, the analytical model is capable of calculating the energy landscapes of the system. The chemically patterned surfaces display complex energy landscapes with chemical-heterogeneity-induced local minima, which correspond to the equilibrium morphologies of the droplets. Phase-field (PF) simulations are accordingly conducted and compared with the predicted equilibrium morphologies. In addition, we propose a modified Cassie-Baxter (CB) model to delineate the equilibrium droplet shapes. In contrast to the classic CB model, our extension is not only restricted to the shape with a spherical cap. Both the energy landscape method and the modified CB model are demonstrated to have a good agreement with the PF simulations.

Electrochemical dehydrogenative cross-coupling of xanthenes with ketones.

A new external oxidant-free electrochemical dehydrogenative cross-coupling of xanthenes and ketones for the preparation of functionalized 9-alkyl-9H-xanthenes was developed. This method enables the formation of a new C(sp3)-C(sp3) bond through release of H2 as the major byproduct at room temperature, and features mild conditions, high atom economy, excellent functional-group tolerance, scalability and facile applications in pharmaceutical chemistry.