Alleviation of salinity stress by EDTA chelated-biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on maize via modulation of antioxidants activity and biochemical attributes.

Salinity stress adversely affects agricultural productivity by disrupting water uptake, causing nutrient imbalances, and leading to ion toxicity. Excessive salts in the soil hinder crops root growth and damage cellular functions, reducing photosynthetic capacity and inducing oxidative stress. Stomatal closure further limits carbon dioxide uptake that negatively impact plant growth. To ensure sustainable agriculture in salt-affected regions, it is essential to implement strategies like using biofertilizers (e.g. arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi = AMF) and activated carbon biochar. Both amendments can potentially mitigate the salinity stress by regulating antioxidants, gas exchange attributes and chlorophyll contents. The current study aims to explore the effect of EDTA-chelated biochar (ECB) with and without AMF on maize growth under salinity stress. Five levels of ECB (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8%) were applied, with and without AMF. Results showed that 0.8ECB + AMF caused significant enhancement in shoot length (~ 22%), shoot fresh weight (~ 15%), shoot dry weight (~ 51%), root length (~ 46%), root fresh weight (~ 26%), root dry weight (~ 27%) over the control (NoAMF + 0ECB). A significant enhancement in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance was also observed in the condition 0.8ECB + AMF relative to control (NoAMF + 0ECB), further supporting the efficacy of such a combined treatment. Our results suggest that adding 0.8% ECB in soil with AMF inoculation on maize seeds can enhance maize production in saline soils, possibly via improvement in antioxidant activity, chlorophyll contents, gas exchange and morphological attributes.

Association between physical activity and risk of premenstrual syndrome among female college students: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to analyze the relationship between physical activity and the risk of premenstrual syndrome among college students. METHODS: Eligible studies were searched from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases. The link between physical activity and the risk of premenstrual syndrome was evaluated using odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The heterogeneity of the included studies was tested and their sources were explored by subgroup analysis. A sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the effect of a single study on the pooled results. The included studies were evaluated for publication bias. Five moderate-quality studies were included in this meta-analysis. RESULTS: Physical activity levels were negatively associated with risk of premenstrual syndrome among college students (OR [95%CI] = 1.46 [1.09, 1.96], P = .011). The pooled results were not influenced after being stratified by the study region and whether multi-factor correction was performed or not. Publication bias was not observed in the included studies. CONCLUSION: A high level of physical activity is dramatically associated with a reduced risk of premenstrual syndrome among female college students.

The Synthesis of Three-Dimensional Hexagonal Boron Nitride as the Reinforcing Phase of Polymer-Based Electrolyte for All-Solid-State Li Metal Batteries.

Powdery hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), as an important material for electrochemical energy storage, has been typically synthesized in bulk and one/two-dimensional (1/2D) nanostructured morphologies. However, until now, no method has been developed to synthesize powdery three-dimensional (3D) h-BN. This work introduces a novel NaCl-glucose-assisted strategy to synthesize micron-sized 3D h-BN with a honeycomb-like structure and its proposed formation mechanism. We propose that NaCl acts as the template of 3D structure and promotes the nitridation reaction by adsorbing NH3 . Glucose facilitates the homogeneous coating of boric acid onto the NaCl surface via functionalizing the NaCl surface. During the nitridation reaction, boron oxides (BO4 and BO3 ) form from a dehydration reaction of boric acid, which is then reduced to O2 -B-N and O-B-N2 intermediates before finally being reduced to BN3 by NH3 . When incorporated into polyethylene oxide-based electrolytes for Li metal batteries, 5 wt % of 3D h-BN significantly enhances ionic conductivity and mechanical strength. Consequently, this composite electrolyte demonstrates superior electrochemical stability. It delivers 300 h of stable cycles in the Li//Li cell at 0.1 mA cm-2 and retains 89 % of discharge capacity (138.9 mAh g-1 ) after 100 cycles at 1 C in the LFP//Li full cell.

γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and ectoine (ECT) impacts with and without AMF on antioxidants, gas exchange attributes and nutrients of cotton cultivated in salt affected soil.

Salinity stress is one of the major hurdles in agriculture which adversely affects crop production. It can cause osmotic imbalance, ion toxicity that disrupts essential nutrient balance, impaired nutrient uptake, stunted growth, increased oxidative stress, altered metabolism, and diminished crop yield and quality. However, foliar application of osmoprotectant is becoming popular to resolve this issue in crops. These osmoprotectants regulate the cellular osmotic balance and protect plants from the detrimental effects of high salt concentrations. Furthermore, the role of arbuscular mycorrhizae (AMF) is also established in this regard. These AMF effectively reduce the salinity negative effects by improving the essential nutrient balance via the promotion of root growth. That's why keeping in mind the effectiveness of osmoprotectants current study was conducted on cotton. Total of six levels of γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA = 0 mM, 0. 5 mM, and 1 mM) and ectoine (ECT = 0 mM, 0.25 mM, and 0.5 mM) were applied as treatments in 3 replications. Results showed that 0.5 mM γ-Aminobutyric acid and ectoine performed significantly best for the improvement in cotton growth attributes. It also caused significant enhancement in K and Ca contents of the leaf, stem, bur, and seeds compared to the control. Furthermore, 0.5 mM γ-Aminobutyric acid and ectoine also caused a significant decline in Cl and Na contents of leaf, stem, bur, and seeds of cotton compared to control under salinity stress. A significant enhancement in chlorophyll contents, gas exchange attributes, and decline in electrolyte leakage validated the effectiveness of 0.5 mM γ-Aminobutyric acid and ectoine over control. In conclusion, 0.5 mM γ-Aminobutyric acid and ectoine have the potential to mitigate the salinity stress in cotton.

Chidamide Induces Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Lytic Infection and Acts Synergistically with Tenofovir to Eliminate EBV-Positive Burkitt Lymphoma.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a type of human γ-herpesvirus, and its reactivation plays an important role in the development of EBV-driven Burkitt lymphoma (BL). Despite intensive chemotherapy, the prognosis of relapsed/refractory BL patients remains unfavorable, and a definitive method to completely eliminate latent EBV infection is lacking. Previous studies have demonstrated that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors can induce the transition of EBV from latency to the lytic phase. The lytic activation of EBV can be inhibited by tenofovir, a potent inhibitor of DNA replication. Herein, we explored the antitumor effect and EBV clearance potential of a novel HDAC inhibitor called chidamide, combined with tenofovir, in the treatment of EBV-positive BL. In the study, chidamide exhibited inhibitory activity against HDAC. Moreover, chidamide inhibited BL cell proliferation, arrested cell cycle progression, and induced BL cell apoptosis primarily by regulating the MAPK pathways. Additionally, chidamide promoted the transcription of lytic genes, including BZLF1, BMRF1, and BMLF1 Compared with chidamide alone, the addition of tenofovir further induced growth arrest and apoptosis in EBV-positive BL cells and inhibited the transcriptions of EBV lytic genes induced by chidamide alone. Furthermore, our in vivo data demonstrated that the combination of chidamide and tenofovir had superior tumor-suppressive effects in a mouse model of BL cell tumors. The aforementioned findings confirm the synergistic effect of chidamide combined with tenofovir in inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis in EBV-positive BL cells and provide an effective strategy for eliminating EBV and EBV-associated malignancies. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: High levels of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA have consistently been associated with unfavorable progression-free survival and overall survival in EBV-associated lymphomas. Therefore, identifying novel strategies to effectively eradicate tumor cells and eliminate EBV is crucial for lymphoma patients. This study confirmed, for the first time, the synergistic effect of chidamide combined with tenofovir in the treatment of Burkitt lymphoma and the eradication of EBV virus.

The Arabidopsis eIF4E1 regulates NRT1.1-mediated nitrate signaling at both translational and transcriptional levels.

Identifying new nitrate regulatory genes and illustrating their mechanisms in modulating nitrate signaling are of great significance for achieving the high yield and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of crops. Here, we screened a mutant with defects in nitrate response and mapped the mutation to the gene eIF4E1 in Arabidopsis. Our results showed that eIF4E1 regulated nitrate signaling and metabolism. Ribo-seq and polysome profiling analysis revealed that eIF4E1 modulated the amount of some nitrogen (N)-related mRNAs being translated, especially the mRNA of NRT1.1 was reduced in the eif4e1 mutant. RNA-Seq results enriched some N-related genes, supporting that eIF4E1 is involved in nitrate regulation. The genetic analysis indicated that eIF4E1 worked upstream of NRT1.1 in nitrate signaling. In addition, an eIF4E1-interacting protein GEMIN2 was identified and found to be involved in nitrate signaling. Further investigation showed that overexpression of eIF4E1 promoted plant growth and enhanced yield and NUE. These results demonstrate that eIF4E1 regulates nitrate signaling by modulating NRT1.1 at both translational and transcriptional levels, laying the foundation for future research on the regulation of mineral nutrition at the translational level.

Comparison of Procalcitonin With Commonly Used Biomarkers and Algorithms for Evaluating Suspected Pediatric Musculoskeletal Infection in the Emergency Department.

INTRODUCTION: It is difficult to distinguish between children with infectious versus noninfectious conditions of the musculoskeletal system during initial evaluation. Clinical predictive algorithms potentially support this effort but not without limitations. Procalcitonin (PCT) has been proposed as a biomarker to help differentiate infection from noninfection. This study evaluates the adoption and utility of PCT during initial infection evaluations and assesses test characteristics of commonly used parameters and algorithms. METHODS: PCT was introduced for initial laboratory evaluation of the suspected musculoskeletal infection. Prospective enrollment occurred from July 2020 to November 2021 with 3 cohorts established after a retrospective review of final diagnoses at the end of treatment: 1) deep infection, 2) superficial infection, and 3) noninfection. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis of parameters and diagnoses was performed. Test characteristics of individual and aggregated parameters were assessed. RESULTS: Among 258 children evaluated, 188 (72.9%) had PCT drawn during the evaluation. An increase of PCT acquisition from 67.8% to 82.4% occurred over the study timeframe. Eighty-five children were prospectively studied, including those with deep infection (n=21); superficial infection (n=10), and noninfection (n=54). Test characteristics of parameters showed accuracy ranging from 48.2% to 85.9%. PCT >0.1 ng/mL independently predicted deep infection in 84.7% of cases, outperforming white blood cell, C-reactive protein (CRP), and absolute neutrophil count. Using study thresholds for CRP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, PCT, and Temp improved accuracy to 89.4%. CONCLUSIONS: PCT is a potentially useful biomarker during the initial assessment of children suspected to have a musculoskeletal infection. Systematic evaluation using a combination of parameters improves the accuracy of assessment and assists predictive judgment under uncertainty. PCT <0.1 ng/mL, erythrocyte sedimentation rate <18 mm/hr, CRP <3.3 mg/dL, and temperature <37.8°C should reasonably reassure clinicians that deep musculoskeletal infection is less likely, given the high negative predictive value and collective accuracy of these parameters. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III - Retrospective cohort comparison.

Microanalysis Characterization and Immunomodulatory Effect for Selenium-Enriched Polysaccharide from Morchella esculenta (L.) Pers.

Morchella esculenta (L.) Pers., referred to as Morel, is a medicinal and edible homologous fungus, which contains many bioactive substances. In Morel, polysaccharides are the most abundant and have various bioactivities. In the present work, two novel polysaccharides, Se-MPS and MPS, were prepared and purified from selenium-enriched (Se-enriched) and common Morel mycelia, respectively, and their structural and immunomodulatory properties were evaluated. The results show that Se-enriched treatment significantly changed the polysaccharides' chemical composition, molecular weight, and sugar chain configuration. In addition, the Se-enriched treatment also improved the polysaccharides' fragmentation and thermal stability. Importantly, Se-enriched Morel polysaccharide (Se-MPS) could significantly enhance phagocytosis of RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and, remarkably, activate their immune response via activating the TLR4-TRAF6-MAPKs-NF-κB cascade signaling pathway, finally exerting an immunomodulatory function. Based on these findings, selenium-enriched Morel polysaccharide appears to have more potential for development and utilization in functional foods or medicines than ordinary Morel polysaccharide.

ERK is involved in the regulation of CpG ODN 2395 on the expression levels of anti-lipopolysaccharide factors in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis.

CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN), as an effective adjuvant or immunopotentiator, activate the immune system and induce various immune responses. Recently, it has also been reported that high dose of CpG ODN can lead to immunosuppression. However, the underlying mechanism of CpG ODN-mediated immune response remains largely unknown in invertebrates. In the present study, the role of ERK in regulating expression levels of anti-lipopolysaccharide factors (ALFs) induced by different doses of CpG ODN 2395 was analyzed in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis. The mRNA expression levels of EsALFs (EsALF1, EsALF2 and EsALF3) and EsERK in haemocytes were observed to increase from 6 h to 48 h post low doses of CpG ODN 2395 (0.5 µg and 2.5 µg) stimulation, while they were suppressed after high dose of CpG ODN 2395 (12.5 µg) injection. Meanwhile, the phosphorylation levels of ERK in haemocytes were significantly promoted after low doses of CpG ODN 2395 injection, and a reduce level of ERK phosphorylation was observed after high dose of CpG ODN 2395 injection. Further investigation showed that the expression levels of EsALFs induced by CpG ODN 2395 were markedly down-regulated after knocking down the expression of EsERK. Similarly, the EsALFs mRNA expression were also inhibited post different doses of CpG ODN 2395 stimulation in PD98059 (ERK inhibitor) injection crabs. These results collectively suggest that ERK is involved in regulating the expression level of EsALFs induced by different dose of CpG ODN 2395 in Chinese mitten crab, which contribute to the understanding of the regulation of CpG ODN involving in immune response in crustaceans.

Enhanced photo-Fenton degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride by 2, 5-dioxido-1, 4-benzenedicarboxylate-functionalized MIL-100(Fe).

Heterogeneous photo-Fenton technology has drawn tremendous attention for removal of recalcitrant pollutants. Fe-based metal-organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs) are regarded to be superior candidates in wastewater treatment technology. However, the central metal sites of the MOFs are coordinated with the linkers, which reduces active site exposure and decelerates H2O2 activation. In this study, a series of 2, 5-dioxido-1, 4-benzenedicarboxylate (H2DOBDC)-functionalized MIL-100(Fe) with enhanced degradation performance was successfully constructed via solvothermal strategy. The modified MIL-100(Fe) displayed an improvement in photo-Fenton behaviors. The photocatalytic rate constant of optimized MIL-100(Fe)-1/2/3 are 2.3, 3.6 and 4.4 times higher compared with the original MIL-100(Fe). The introduced H2DOBDC accelerates the separation and transfer in photo-induced charges and promotes Fe(II)/Fe(III) cycle, thus improving the performance. •OH and •O2- are main reactive radicals in tetracycline (TCH) degradation. Dealkylation, hydroxylation, dehydration and dealdehyding are the main pathways for TCH degradation.

Disparity Analysis of Clinicopathologic Hallmarks between Transformed DLBCL and Primary DLBCL.

BACKGROUND: A variety of indolent lymphomas, particularly marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) and follicular lymphoma (FL) can be histologically transformed to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Little is known about the disparity of clinicopathologic characteristics between transformed DLBCL (tDLBCL) and primary DLBCL (pDLBCL). METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed the clinicopathological hallmarks of 10 tDLBCL (7 MZL and 3 FL) and 40 pDLBCL from the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University. RESULTS: Patients of tDLBCL had a higher ECOG score, more B-symptoms, and lower serum albumin level than those in pDLBCL (60.0% vs. 7.50%, 40.0% vs. 10.0%, and 90.0% vs. 10.0%, respectively, p < 0.01). Pathologically, tDLBCL had more c-Myc and BCL-2 dual-expression than that in pDLBCL (60.0% vs. 25.0%, p < 0.01). The positive rate of CD5 expression and the proportion of high Ki-67 score in tDLBCL were higher than those in pDLBCL (50.0% vs. 7.5%, 50.0% vs. 32.5%, respectively, p < 0.01). The median overall survival and progression-free survival were 14 months and 11 months in tDLBCL, 35 months and 28 months in pDLBCL (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that tDLBCL manifested aggressive clinical course and pathological features of Myc/BCL-2 expression, CD5 expression, and high Ki-67 score.

Cerebral oxygen extraction fraction: Comparison of dual-gas challenge calibrated BOLD with CBF and challenge-free gradient echo QSM+qBOLD.

PURPOSE: To compare cortical gray matter oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) estimated from 2 MRI methods: (1) the quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) plus quantitative blood oxygen level dependent imaging (qBOLD) (QSM+qBOLD or QQ), and (2) the dual-gas calibrated-BOLD (DGCB) in healthy subjects; and to investigate the validity of iso-cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption assumption during hypercapnia using QQ. METHODS: In 10 healthy subjects, 3 tesla MRI including a multi-echo gradient echo sequence at baseline and hypercapnia for QQ, as well as an EPI dual-echo pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling for DGCB, were performed under a hypercapnic and a hyperoxic condition. OEFs from QQ and DGCB were compared using region of interest analysis and paired t test. For QQ, cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption = cerebral blood flow*OEF*arterial oxygen content was generated for both baseline and hypercapnia, which were compared. RESULTS: Average OEF in cortical gray matter across 10 subjects from QQ versus DGCB was 35.5 ± 6.7% versus 38.0 ± 9.1% (P = .49) at baseline and 20.7 ± 4.4% versus 28.4 ± 7.6% (P = .02) in hypercapnia: OEF in cortical gray matter was significantly reduced as measured in QQ (P < .01) and in DGCB (P < .01). Cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (in µmol O2 /min/100 g) was 168.2 ± 54.1 at baseline from DGCB and was 153.1 ± 33.8 at baseline and 126.4 ± 34.2 (P < .01) in hypercapnia from QQ. CONCLUSION: The differences in OEF obtained from QQ and DGCB are small and nonsignificant at baseline but are statistically significant during hypercapnia. In addition, QQ shows a cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption decrease (17.4%) during hypercapnia.

Quantification of brain oxygen extraction fraction using QSM and a hyperoxic challenge.

PURPOSE: To use hyperoxia in combination with QSM to quantify microvascular oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2 ) in healthy subjects and to cross-validate results with those from hypercapnia QSM-OEF. METHODS: Ten healthy subjects were scanned on a 3T MRI scanner. At baseline normoxia and during hyperoxia (PetO2 = +300 mmHg), QSM data were acquired using a multi-echo gradient-echo (GRE) sequence, and cerebral blood flow data were acquired using a pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling sequence. The OEF and CMRO2 maps were computed and compared with those from hypercapnia QSM-OEF, acquired in the same subjects, using correlation and Bland-Altman analysis in 16 vascular territories. RESULTS: Hyperoxia QSM-OEF produced physiologically reasonable OEF and CMRO2 values in all subjects (gray-matter region of interest average OEF = 0.42 ± 0.04, average CMRO2 = 181 ± 34 µmol O2 /min/100 g). When compared with hypercapnia QSM-OEF, Bland-Altman plots revealed small deviations (mean OEF difference = 0.015, mean CMRO2 difference = 4.9 µmol O2 /min/100 g, P < .05). Good and excellent correlations of regional OEF and CMRO2 were found for the two methods. In addition, hyperoxia had minimal impact on cerebral blood flow (average gray-matter cerebral blood flow was reduced by 7.5 ± 5.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Hyperoxia in combination with QSM is a robust approach to measure OEF. Compared with hypercapnia, hyperoxia is more comfortable and has minimal impact on cerebral blood flow.

Cerebral OEF quantification: A comparison study between quantitative susceptibility mapping and dual-gas calibrated BOLD imaging.

PURPOSE: To compare regional oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen consumption (CMRO2 ) quantified from the microvascular quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) using a hypercapnic gas challenge with those measured by the dual-gas calibrated BOLD imaging (DGC-BOLD) in healthy subjects. METHODS: Ten healthy subjects were scanned using a 3T MR system. The QSM data were acquired with a multi-echo gradient-echo sequence at baseline and hypercapnia. Cerebral blood flow data were acquired using the pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling technique. Baseline OEF and CMRO2 were calculated using QSM and cerebral blood flow measurements. The DGC-BOLD data were also collected under a hypercapnic and a hyperoxic condition to yield baseline OEF and CMRO2 . The QSM-OEF and CMRO2 maps were compared with DGC-BOLD OEF and CMRO2 maps using region of interest (vascular territories) analysis and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Hypercapnia is a robust stimulus for mapping OEF in combination with QSM. Average OEF in 16 vascular territory regions of interest across 10 subjects was 0.40 ± 0.04 by QSM-OEF and 0.38 ± 0.09 by DGC-BOLD. The average CMRO2 was 176 ± 35 and 167 ± 53 µmol O2 /min/100g by QSM-OEF and DGC-BOLD, respectively. A Bland-Altman plot of regional OEF and CMRO2 in regions of interest revealed a statistically significant but small difference (OEF difference = 0.02, CMRO2 difference = 9 µmol O2 /min/100g, p < .05) between the 2 methods for the 10 healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Hypercapnic challenge-assisted QSM-OEF is a feasible approach to quantify regional brain OEF and CMRO2 . Compared with DGC-BOLD, hypercapnia QSM-OEF results in smaller intersubject variability and requires only 1 gas challenge.

Experimental Test of the 1/τ-Scaling Entropy Generation in Finite-Time Thermodynamics.

The finite-time dynamics, apart from its fundamental importance in nonequilibrium thermodynamics, is of great significance in designing heat engine cycles. We build an experimental apparatus to test the predicted long-time 1/τ scaling of the irreversible entropy generation in the finite-time (τ) thermodynamic process by compressing dry air in a temperature-controlled water bath. We present the first direct experimental validation of the scaling, utilized in many finite-time thermodynamic models at the long-time regime. The experimental data also demonstrate a clear deviation from the scaling at the short-time regime. We show the optimal control scheme to minimize the irreversible entropy generation in finite-time process. Such optimization shall bring new insight to the practical design of heat engine cycles.

Correction: Wang, Y.T., et al. Selenite Reduction and the Biogenesis of Selenium Nanoparticles by Alcaligenes faecalis Se03 Isolated from the Gut of Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19, 2799.

The authors wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...].

Effect of Finite-Size Heat Source's Heat Capacity on the Efficiency of Heat Engine.

Heat engines used to output useful work have important practical significance, which, in general, operate between heat baths of infinite size and constant temperature. In this paper, we study the efficiency of a heat engine operating between two finite-size heat sources with initial temperature difference. The total output work of such heat engine is limited due to the finite heat capacity of the sources. We firstly investigate the effects of different heat capacity characteristics of the sources on the heat engine's efficiency at maximum work (EMW) in the quasi-static limit. Moreover, it is found that the efficiency of the engine operating in finite-time with maximum power of each cycle is achieved follows a simple universality as η=ηC/4+OηC2, where ηC is the Carnot efficiency determined by the initial temperature of the sources. Remarkably, when the heat capacity of the heat source is negative, such as the black holes, we show that the heat engine efficiency during the operation can surpass the Carnot efficiency determined by the initial temperature of the heat sources. It is further argued that the heat engine between two black holes with vanishing initial temperature difference can be driven by the energy fluctuation. The corresponding EMW is proved to be ηMW=2-2.

Whole head quantitative susceptibility mapping using a least-norm direct dipole inversion method.

A new dipole field inversion method for whole head quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is proposed. Instead of performing background field removal and local field inversion sequentially, the proposed method performs dipole field inversion directly on the total field map in a single step. To aid this under-determined and ill-posed inversion process and obtain robust QSM images, Tikhonov regularization is implemented to seek the local susceptibility solution with the least-norm (LN) using the L-curve criterion. The proposed LN-QSM does not require brain edge erosion, thereby preserving the cerebral cortex in the final images. This should improve its applicability for QSM-based cortical grey matter measurement, functional imaging and venography of full brain. Furthermore, LN-QSM also enables susceptibility mapping of the entire head without the need for brain extraction, which makes QSM reconstruction more automated and less dependent on intermediate pre-processing methods and their associated parameters. It is shown that the proposed LN-QSM method reduced errors in a numerical phantom simulation, improved accuracy in a gadolinium phantom experiment, and suppressed artefacts in nine subjects, as compared to two-step and other single-step QSM methods. Measurements of deep grey matter and skull susceptibilities from LN-QSM are consistent with established reconstruction methods.

Selenite Reduction and the Biogenesis of Selenium Nanoparticles by Alcaligenesfaecalis Se03 Isolated from the Gut of Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).

In this study, a bacterial strain exhibiting high selenite (Na2SeO3) tolerance and reduction capacity was isolated from the gut of Monochamus alternatus larvae and identified as Alcaligenes faecalis Se03. The isolate exhibited extreme tolerance to selenite (up to 120 mM) when grown aerobically. In the liquid culture medium, it was capable of reducing nearly 100% of 1.0 and 5.0 mM Na2SeO3 within 24 and 42 h, respectively, leading to the formation of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs). Electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis demonstrated that A. faecalis Se03 produced spherical electron-dense SeNPs with an average hydrodynamic diameter of 273.8 ± 16.9 nm, localized mainly in the extracellular space. In vitro selenite reduction activity and real-time PCR indicated that proteins such as sulfite reductase and thioredoxin reductase present in the cytoplasm were likely to be involved in selenite reduction and the SeNPs synthesis process in the presence of NADPH or NADH as electron donors. Finally, using Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry, protein and lipid residues were detected on the surface of the biogenic SeNPs. Based on these observations, A. faecalis Se03 has the potential to be an eco-friendly candidate for the bioremediation of selenium-contaminated soil/water and a bacterial catalyst for the biogenesis of SeNPs.

The effect of dissolved oxygen on the relaxation rates of blood plasma: Implications for hyperoxia calibrated BOLD.

PURPOSE: To determine the contribution of paramagnetic dissolved oxygen in blood plasma to blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) signal changes in hyperoxic calibrated BOLD studies. METHODS: Bovine blood plasma samples were prepared with partial pressures of oxygen (pO2 ) ranging from 110 to 600 mmHg. R1 , R2 , and R2* of the plasma with dissolved oxygen were measured using quantitative MRI sequences at 3 Tesla. Simulations were performed to predict the relative effects of dissolved oxygen and deoxyhemoglobin changes in hyperoxia calibrated BOLD. RESULTS: The relaxivities of dissolved oxygen in plasma were found to be r1,O2 =1.97 ± 0.09 ×10-4 s-1 mmHg-1 , r2,O2 =2.3 ± 0.7 ×10-4 s-1 mmHg-1 , and r2,O2* = 2.3 ± 0.7 ×10-4 s-1 mmHg-1 . Simulations predict that neither the transverse nor longitudinal relaxation rates of dissolved oxygen contribute significantly to the BOLD signal during hyperoxia. CONCLUSION: During hyperoxia, the increases in R2 and R2* of blood from dissolved oxygen in plasma are considerably less than the decreases in R2 and R2* from venous deoxyhemoglobin. R1 effects due to dissolved oxygen are also predicted to be negligible. As a result, dissolved oxygen in arteries should not contribute significantly to the hyperoxic calibrated BOLD signal. Magn Reson Med 76:1905-1911, 2016. © 2015 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.