Understanding microbial biomineralization at the molecular level: recent advances.

Microbial biomineralization is a phenomenon involving deposition of inorganic minerals inside or around microbial cells as a direct consequence of biogeochemical cycling. The microbial metabolic processes often create environmental conditions conducive for the precipitation of silicate, carbonate or phosphate, ferrate forms of ubiquitous inorganic ions. Till date the fundamental mechanisms underpinning two of the major types of microbial biomineralization such as, microbially controlled and microbially induced remains poorly understood. While microbially-controlled mineralization (MCM) depends entirely on the genetic makeup of the cell, microbially-induced mineralization (MIM) is dependent on factors such as cell morphology, cell surface structures and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). In recent years, the organic template-mediated nucleation of inorganic minerals has been considered as an underlying mechanism based on the principles of solid-state bioinorganic chemistry. The present review thus attempts to provide a comprehensive and critical overview on the recent progress in holistic understanding of both MCM and MIM, which involves, organic-inorganic biomolecular interactions that lead to template formation, biomineral nucleation and crystallization. Also, the operation of specific metabolic pathways and molecular operons in directing microbial biomineralization have been discussed. Unravelling these molecular mechanisms of biomineralization can help in the biomimetic synthesis of minerals for potential therapeutic applications, and facilitating the engineering of microorganisms for commercial production of biominerals.

Preparation of High-Performance Transparent Al2O3 Dielectric Films via Self-Exothermic Reaction Based on Solution Method and Applications.

As the competition intensifies in enhancing the integration and performance of integrated circuits, in accordance with the famous Moore's Law, higher performance and smaller size requirements are imposed on the dielectric layers in electronic devices. Compared to vacuum methods, the production cost of preparing dielectric layers via solution methods is lower, and the preparation cycle is shorter. This paper utilizes a low-temperature self-exothermic reaction based on the solution method to prepare high-performance Al2O3 dielectric thin films that are compatible with flexible substrates. In this paper, we first established two non-self-exothermic systems: one with pure aluminum nitrate and one with pure aluminum acetylacetonate. Additionally, we set up one self-exothermic system where aluminum nitrate and aluminum acetylacetonate were mixed in a 1:1 ratio. Tests revealed that the leakage current density and dielectric constant of the self-exothermic system devices were significantly optimized compared to the two non-self-exothermic system devices, indicating that the self-exothermic reaction can effectively improve the quality of the dielectric film. This paper further established two self-exothermic systems with aluminum nitrate and aluminum acetylacetonate mixed in 2:1 and 1:2 ratios, respectively, for comparison. The results indicate that as the proportion of aluminum nitrate increases, the overall dielectric performance of the devices improves. The best overall performance occurs when aluminum nitrate and aluminum acetylacetonate are mixed in a ratio of 2:1: The film surface is smooth without cracks; the surface roughness is 0.747 ± 0.045 nm; the visible light transmittance reaches up to 98%; on the basis of this film, MIM devices were fabricated, with tested leakage current density as low as 1.08 × 10-8 A/cm2 @1 MV and a relative dielectric constant as high as 8.61 ± 0.06, demonstrating excellent electrical performance.

Impact of surface-active ionic solutions on the structure and function of laccase from trametes versicolor: Insights from molecular dynamics simulations.

Many protein-ionic liquid investigations have examined laccase interactions. Laccases are a class of poly-copper oxidoreductases that retain significant biotechnological relevance owing to their notable oxidative capabilities and their application in the elimination of synthetic dyes, phenolic compounds, insecticides, and various other substances. This study investigates the impact of surface active ionic liquids (SAILs), namely, decyltrimethylammonium bromide [N10111][Br] and 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [C10mim][Cl] as cationic surfactant ionic liquids and cholinium decanoate [Chl][Dec], an anionic surfactant ionic liquid, on the structure and function of laccase from the fungus Trametes versicolor (TvL) by the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. In summary, this study showed that laccase solvent-accessible surface area increased in the ionic liquid [Chl][Dec] while it decreased in the other two ionic liquids. Interestingly, [Chl][Dec] ionic liquid components formed hydrogen bonds with laccase, while [N10111][Br] and [C10mim][Cl] components were unable to form hydrogen bonds with laccase. The quantity of hydrogen bonds formed between water molecules and the enzyme was also diminished in the presence of [Chl][Dec] in comparison to the other two ionic liquids. especially at a concentration of 250 mM. In 250 mM concentrations of [N10111][Br] and [C10mim][Cl], clusters of long-chain cations are likely to form near the copper T1 site. However, even at low [Chl][Dec] concentrations, long [Dec]- chains were observed to penetrate the enzyme near the copper T1 site, and at 250 mM [Chl][Dec], a large cluster of anions occupied the opening of the active site. The results of the analysis also show that the interaction between the [Dec]- anion and the enzyme is stronger than the interaction between [N10111]+ and [C10mim]+ with laccase; in addition, the [Dec]- anion, compared to [Br]- and [Cl]- has a much greater tendency to bind with the enzyme residues.

Ionic Liquid 1-Octyl-3-Methylimidazolium (M8OI) Is Mono-Oxygenated by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 in Adult Human Liver.

Environmental sampling around a landfill site in the UK previously identified the methylimidazolium ionic liquid, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium (M8OI), in the soil. More recently, M8OI was shown to be detectable in sera from 5/20 PBC patients and 1/10 controls and to be oxidised on the alkyl chain in the human liver. The objective of this study was to examine the metabolism of M8OI in humans in more detail. In human hepatocytes, M8OI was mono-oxygenated to 1-(8-Hydroxyoctyl)-3-methyl-imidazolium (HO8IM) then further oxidised to 1-(7-carboxyheptyl)-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium (COOH7IM). The addition of ketoconazole-in contrast to a range of other cytochrome P450 inhibitors-blocked M8OI metabolism, suggesting primarily CYP3A-dependent mono-oxygenation of M8OI. Hepatocytes from one donor produced negligible and low levels of HO8IM and COOH7IM, respectively, on incubation with M8OI, when compared to hepatocytes from other donors. This donor had undetectable levels of CYP3A4 protein and low CYP3A enzyme activity. Transcript expression levels for other adult CYP3A isoforms-CYP3A5 and CYP3A43-suggest that a lack of CYP3A4 accounted primarily for this donor's low rate of M8OI oxidation. Insect cell (supersome) expression of various human CYPs identified CYP3A4 as the most active CYP mediating M8OI mono-oxygenation, followed by CYP3A5. HO8IM and COOH7IM were not toxic to human hepatocytes, in contrast to M8OI, and using a pooled preparation of human hepatocytes from five donors, ketoconazole potentiated M8OI toxicity. These data demonstrate that CYP3A initiates the mono-oxygenation and detoxification of M8OI in adult human livers and that CYP3A4 likely plays a major role in this process.

Single-molecule detection of SARS-CoV-2 N protein on multilayered plasmonic nanotraps with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

The spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has had an unprecedented impact, both by posing a serious risk to human health and by amplifying the burden on the global economy. The rapid identification of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been crucial to preventing and controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections. In this study, we propose a multilayered plasmonic nanotrap (MPNT) device for the rapid identification of single particles of SARS-CoV-2 virus in ultra-high sensitivity by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The MPNT device is composed of arrays of concentric cylindrical cavities with Ag/SiO2/Ag multilayers deposited on the top and at the bottom. By varying the diameter of the cylinders and the thickness of the multilayers, the resonant optical absorption and local electric field were optimized. The SERS enhancement factors of the proposed device are of the order of 108, which enable the rapid identification of SARS-CoV-2 N protein in concentrations as low as 1.25 × 10-15－12.5 × 10-15 g mL-1 within 1 min. The developed MPNT SERS device provides a label-free and rapid detection platform for SARS-CoV-2 virus. The general nature of the device makes it equally suitable to detect other infectious viruses.

Long-term exposure to ionic liquid [C8mim]Br induces the potential risk of anxiety and memory deterioration through disturbing neurotransmitter systems.

1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C8mim]Br), one of the ionic liquids (ILs), has been used in various fields as an alternative green solvent of conventional organic solvents. Increased application and stabilization of imidazole ring structure lead to its release into the aquatic environment and long-term retention. Structure-activity relationship consideration suggested that ILs may be acetylcholinesterase inhibitors; however, neurotoxicity in vivo, especially the underlying mechanisms is rarely studied. In this study, the zebrafish were exposed to 2.5-10 mg/L [C8mim]Br for 28 days to comprehensively evaluate the neurotoxicity of ILs on adult zebrafish from the behavioral profiles and neurotransmitter systems for the first time. The results indicate that zebrafish exhibit suppressed spatial working memory and anxious behaviors. To assess the potential neurotoxic mechanisms underlying the behavioral responses of zebrafish, we measured the levels of neurotransmitters and precursors, key enzyme activities, and expression levels of relevant genes. Nissl staining showed significant neural cell death in zebrafish after 28-day [C8mim]Br exposure, with corresponding decreases in the levels of neurotransmitters (acetylcholine, glutamate, 5-hydroxytryptophan, gamma-aminobutyric acid, dopamine, and norepinephrine). Furthermore, these results were associated with mRNA expression levels of the disrupted neurotransmitter key genes (th, tph2, mao, slc6a3, ache, gad67). Overall, our study determined that [C8mim]Br caused potential mental disorders like anxiety and memory deterioration in zebrafish by impairing neurotransmitter systems, providing recommendations for the industrial production and application of [C8mim]Br.

Blocking miR396 activity by overexpression MIM396 improved switchgrass tiller number and biomass yield.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNA396 (miR396) plays an important role in the regulation of plant growth and development by repressing the expression level of its target growth-regulating factor (GRF) family genes. In our previous study, we found that overexpression of miR396 negatively regulated both tillering and biomass yield in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). We, therefore, speculated that blocking the expression of miR396 could enhance switchgrass tillering and biomass yield. Here, we produced transgenic switchgrass plants overexpressing a target mimicry form of miR396 (MIM396) in wild type (WT) and Os-MIR319b overexpressing switchgrass plant (with higher enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency, but reduced tillering), in which the expression of miR396 was blocked. The phenotype and biological yields of these plants were analyzed. RESULTS: Blocking miR396 to improve its target PvGRFs expression in switchgrass improved the tiller number and dry weight of transgenic plants. Further morphological analysis revealed that MIM396 plants increased the number of aerial branches and basal tillers compared to those of wild-type plants. The enzymatic efficiency of MIM396 plants was reduced; however, the total sugar production per plant was still significantly higher than that of wild-type plants due to the increase in biomass. In addition, blocking miR396 in a transgenic switchgrass plant overexpressing Os-MIR319b (TG21-Ms) significantly increased the PvGRF1/3/5 expression level and tiller number and biomass yield. The miR156-target gene PvSPL4, playing a negative role in aerial and basal buds outgrowth, showed significant downregulated in MIM396 and TG21-Ms. Those results indicate that miR396-PvGRFs, through disrupting the PvSPL4 expression, are involved in miR319-PvPCFs in regulating tiller number, at least partly. CONCLUSIONS: MIM396 could be used as a molecular tool to improving tiller number and biomass yield in switchgrass wild type and miR319b transgenic plants. This finding may be applied to other graminaceous plants to regulate plant biological yield.

Undifferentiated HepaRG cells show reduced sensitivity to the toxic effects of M8OI through a combination of CYP3A7-mediated oxidation and a reduced reliance on mitochondrial function.

The methylimidazolium ionic liquid M8OI (1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, also known as [C8mim]Cl) has been detected in the environment and may represent a hazard trigger for the autoimmune liver disease primary biliary cholangitis, based in part on studies using a rat liver progenitor cell. The effect of M8OI on an equivalent human liver progenitor (undifferentiated HepaRG cells; u-HepaRG) was therefore examined. u-HepaRG cells were less sensitive (>20-fold) to the toxic effects of M8OI. The relative insensitivity of u-HepaRG cells to M8OI was in part, associated with a detoxification by monooxygenation via CYP3A7 followed by further oxidation to a carboxylic acid. Expression of CYP3A7 - in contrast to the related adult hepatic CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 forms - was confirmed in u-HepaRG cells. However, blocking M8OI metabolism with ketoconazole only partly sensitized u-HepaRG cells. Despite similar proliferation rates, u-HepaRG cells consumed around 75% less oxygen than B-13 cells, reflective of reduced dependence on mitochondrial activity (Crabtree effect). Replacing glucose with galactose, resulted in an increase in u-HepaRG cell sensitivity to M8OI, near similar to that seen in B-13 cells. u-HepaRG cells therefore show reduced sensitivity to the toxic effects of M8OI through a combination of metabolic detoxification and their reduced reliance on mitochondrial function.

Immunotoxicity of ionic liquid [C14mim]BF4 in rats.

Ionic liquid tetrafluoroborated-1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazole salt ([C14mim]BF4) immunotoxicity was investigated in rats using three exposure groups (12.5, 25, and 50 mg kg-1), one recovery group (50 mg kg-1), and a control group without any treatment. The findings demonstrated that, at low doses, [C14mim]BF4 could raise WBC, NEU, and MID and lysozyme levels as well as spleen T-lymphocyte stimulation index in rats, however at high doses, the aforementioned indices were dramatically lowered. As the dose was raised, the proportion of RBC and PLT in the blood as well as CD4+ and CD8+ in the spleen increased, but the quantity of immunoglobulin IgG, IgA, and IgM in the serum as well as the number of NK cells in the spleen considerably dropped. Even though there were varying degrees of improvement 30 days after ceasing exposure, all these changes were unable to return to normal, and the number of NK cells was further decreased. The study demonstrates that [C14mim]BF4 can damage the specific immunity and non-specific immunity of rats, and cause immune dysfunction.

Design and Simulation of Tunneling Diodes with 2D Insulators for Rectenna Switches.

Rectenna is the key component in radio-frequency circuits for receiving and converting electromagnetic waves into direct current. However, it is very challenging for the conventional semiconductor diode switches to rectify high-frequency signals for 6G telecommunication (>100 GHz), medical detection (>THz), and rectenna solar cells (optical frequencies). Such a major challenge can be resolved by replacing the conventional semiconductor diodes with tunneling diodes as the rectenna switches. In this work, metal-insulator-metal (MIM) tunneling diodes based on 2D insulating materials were designed, and their performance was evaluated using a comprehensive simulation approach which includes a density-function theory simulation of 2D insulator materials, the modeling of the electrical characteristics of tunneling diodes, and circuit simulation for rectifiers. It is found that novel 2D insulators such as monolayer TiO2 can be obtained by oxidizing sulfur-metal layered materials. The MIM diodes based on such insulators exhibit fast tunneling and excellent current rectifying properties. Such tunneling diodes effectively convert the received high-frequency electromagnetic waves into direct current.

Weld-free mounting of lamellae for electrical biasing operando TEM.

Recent advances in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based substrates and sample holders for in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are currently enabling exciting new opportunities for the nanoscale investigation of materials and devices. The ability to perform electrical testing while simultaneously capturing the wide spectrum of signals detectable in a TEM, including structural, chemical, and even electronic contrast, represents a significant milestone in the realm of nanoelectronics. In situ studies hold particular promise for the development of Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) devices for use in next-generation computing. However, achieving successful device operation in the TEM typically necessitates meticulous sample preparation involving focused ion beam (FIB) systems. Conducting contamination introduced during the FIB thinning process and subsequent attachment of the sample onto a MEMS-based chip remains a formidable challenge. This article delineates an improved FIB-based sample preparation methodology that results in good electrical connectivity and operational functionality across various MIM devices. To exemplify the efficacy of the sample preparation technique, we demonstrate preparation of a clean cross section extracted from a Au/Pt/BaSrTiO3/SrMoO3 tunable capacitor (varactor). The FIB-prepared TEM lamella mounted on a MEMS-based chip showed current levels in the tens of picoamperes range at 0.1 V. Furthermore, the electric response and current density of the TEM lamella device closely align with macro-scale devices. These samples exhibit comparable current densities to their macro-sized counterparts thus validating the sample preparation process and confirming device connectivity. The simultaneous operation and TEM characterization of electronic devices enabled by this process enables direct correlation between device structure and function, which could prove pivotal in the development of new MIM systems.

Internal Resistor Effect of Multilayer-Structured Synaptic Device for Low-Power Operation.

A synaptic device with a multilayer structure is proposed to reduce the operating power of neuromorphic computing systems while maintaining a high-density integration. A simple metal-insulator-metal (MIM)-structured multilayer synaptic device is developed using an 8-inch wafer-based and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication process. The three types of MIM-structured synaptic devices are compared to assess their effects on reducing the operating power. The obtained results exhibited low-power operation owing to the inserted layers acting as an internal resistor. The modulated operational conductance level and simple MIM structure demonstrate the feasibility of implementing both low-power operation and high-density integration in multilayer synaptic devices.

A next generation FVIII mimetic bispecific antibody, Mim8, the impact on non-factor VIII related haemostasis assays.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Mim8 is a next generation bispecific antibody developed for the treatment of haemophilia A (HA). Mim8 has an increased potency compared to first generation molecules. The impact on Mim8 on non-FVIII measuring haemostasis assays was assessed in plasma containing Mim8. METHODS: Congenital severe HA plasma was spiked with increasing concentrations of Mim8 (0-20 µg/mL). 28 routine and specialist haemostasis assays were used to measure activities. These included tests for prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen, thrombin, D-dimer, anti-Xa, heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), clotting factors II-XII, factor XIII, von Willebrand factor (VWF), thrombophilia and DRVVT. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Less than 10 % difference was calculated between plasma without Mim8 and plasma spiked to 15 µg/mL Mim8 in all assays except thrombin time (-10.5%), APTT-based factor IX, XI and XII, Werfen VWF:RCo (10.6%) and Siemens LA1 (-26.4%) and LA2 (-16.9%). At the expected therapeutic steady state levels of Mim8 (5-8 µg/mL), less than 10% difference was calculated for thrombin time and Werfen VWF:RCo. APTT-based assays of FIX, XI and XII are significantly elevated in the presence of Mim8 and should not be performed. A chromogenic FIX assay could be used to accurately measure FIX activity in the presence of Mim8. There was some interference in the DRVVT method we used so local assessment of other DRVVT methods is advised. Differences in all other tests would not be predicted to affect patient management.

The assessment of left ventricular volume and function in gated small animal 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging: a comparative study of three commercially available software tools.

BACKGROUND: Several software tools have been developed for gated PET imaging that use distinct algorithms to analyze tracer uptake, myocardial perfusion, and left ventricle volumes and function. Studies suggest that different software tools cannot be used interchangeably in humans. In this study, we sought to compare the left ventricular parameters in gated 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in mice by three commercially available software tools: PMOD, MIM, and QGS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Healthy mice underwent ECG-gated 18F-FDG imaging using a small-animal nanoPET/CT (Mediso) under isoflurane narcosis. Reconstructed gates PET images were subsequently analyzed in three different software tools, and cardiac volume and function (end-diastolic (EDV), end-systolic volumes (ESV), stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF)) were evaluated. While cardiac volumes correlated well between PMOD, MIM, and QGS, the left ventricular parameters and cardiac function differed in agreement using Bland-Altman analysis. EDV in PMOD vs. QGS: r = 0.85; p < 0.001, MIM vs. QGS: r = 0.92; p < 0.001, and MIM vs. PMOD: r = 0.88; p < 0.001, showed good correlations. Correlation was also found in ESV: PMOD vs. QGS: r = 0.48; p = 0.07, MIM vs QGS: r = 0.79; p < 0.001, and MIM vs. PMOD: r = 0.69; p < 0.01. SV showed good correlations in: PMOD vs. QGS: r = 0.73; p < 0.01, MIM vs. QGS: r = 0.86; p < 0.001, and MIM vs. PMOD: r = 0.92; p < 0.001. However, EF among correlated poorly: PMOD vs. QGS: r = -0.31; p = 0.26, MIM vs. QGS: r = 0.48; p = 0.07, and MIM vs. PMOD: r = 0.23; p = 0.41. Inter-class and intra-class correlation coefficient were > 0.9 underlining repeatability in using PMOD, MIM, and QGS for cardiac volume and function assessment. CONCLUSIONS: All three commercially available software tools are feasible in small animal cardiac volume assessment in gated 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging. However, due to software-related differences in agreement analysis for cardiac volumes and function, PMOD, MIM, and QGS cannot be used interchangeably in murine research.

Built-In Packaging for Two-Terminal Devices.

Conventional packaging and interconnection methods for two-terminal devices, e.g., diodes often involve expensive and bulky equipment, introduce parasitic effects and have reliability issues. In this study, we propose a built-in packaging method and evaluate its performance compared to probing and wire bonding methods. The built-in packaging approach offers a larger overlap area, improved contact resistance, and direct connection to testing equipment. The experimental results demonstrate a 12% increase in current, an 11% reduction in resistance, and improved performance of the diode. The proposed method is promising for enhancing sensing applications, wireless power transmission, energy harvesting, and solar rectennas. Overall, the built-in packaging method offers a simpler, cheaper, more compact and more reliable packaging solution, paving the way for more efficient and advanced technologies in these domains.

Potential for cardiac toxicity with methylimidazolium ionic liquids.

Methylimidazolium ionic liquids (MILs) are solvent chemicals used in industry. Recent work suggests that MILs are beginning to contaminate the environment and lead to exposure in the general population. In this study, the potential for MILs to cause cardiac toxicity has been examined. The effects of 5 chloride MIL salts possessing increasing alkyl chain lengths (2 C, EMI; 4 C, BMI; 6 C; HMI, 8 C, M8OI; 10 C, DMI) on rat neonatal cardiomyocyte beat rate, beat amplitude and cell survival were initially examined. Increasing alkyl chain length resulted in increasing adverse effects, with effects seen at 10-5 M at all endpoints with M8OI and DMI, the lowest concentration tested. A limited sub-acute toxicity study in rats identified potential cardiotoxic effects with longer chain MILs (HMI, M8OI and DMI) based on clinical chemistry. A 5 month oral/drinking water study with these MILs confirmed cardiotoxicity based on histopathology and clinical chemistry endpoints. Since previous studies in mice did not identify the heart as a target organ, the likely cause of the species difference was investigated. qRT-PCR and Western blotting identified a marked higher expression of p-glycoprotein-3 (also known as ABCB4 or MDR2) and the breast cancer related protein transporter BCRP (also known as ABCG2) in mouse, compared to rat heart. Addition of the BCRP inhibitor Ko143 - but not the p-glycoproteins inhibitor cyclosporin A - increased mouse cardiomyocyte HL-1 cell sensitivity to longer chain MILs to a limited extent. MILs therefore have a potential for cardiotoxicity in rats. Mice may be less sensitive to cardiotoxicity from MILs due in part, to increased excretion via higher levels of cardiac BCRP expression and/or function. MILs alone, therefore may represent a hazard in man in the future, particularly if use levels increase. The impact that MILs exposure has on sensitivity to cardiotoxic drugs, heart disease and other chronic diseases is unknown.

Genome-wide identification and analysis of TCP family genes in Medicago sativa reveal their critical roles in Na+/K+ homeostasis.

BACKGROUND: Medicago sativa is the most important forage world widely, and is characterized by high quality and large biomass. While abiotic factors such as salt stress can negatively impact the growth and productivity of alfalfa. Maintaining Na+/K+ homeostasis in the cytoplasm helps reduce cell damage and nutritional deprivation, which increases a salt-tolerance of plant. Teosinte Branched1/ Cycloidea/ Proliferating cell factors (TCP) family genes, a group of plant-specific transcription factors (TFs), involved in regulating plant growth and development and abiotic stresses. Recent studies have shown TCPs control the Na+/K+ concentration of plants during salt stress. In order to improve alfalfa salt tolerance, it is important to identify alfalfa TCP genes and investigate if and how they regulate alfalfa Na+/K+ homeostasis. RESULTS: Seventy-one MsTCPs including 23 non-redundant TCP genes were identified in the database of alfalfa genome (C.V XinJiangDaYe), they were classified into class I PCF (37 members) and class II: CIN (28 members) and CYC/TB1 (9 members). Their distribution on chromosome were unequally. MsTCPs belonging to PCF were expressed specifically in different organs without regularity, which belonging to CIN class were mainly expressed in mature leaves. MsTCPs belongs to CYC/TB1 clade had the highest expression level at meristem. Cis-elements in the promoter of MsTCPs were also predicted, the results indicated that most of the MsTCPs will be induced by phytohormone and stress treatments, especially by ABA-related stimulus including salinity stress. We found 20 out of 23 MsTCPs were up-regulated in 200 mM NaCl treatment, and MsTCP3/14/15/18 were significantly induced by 10 µM KCl, a K+ deficiency treatment. Fourteen non-redundant MsTCPs contained miR319 target site, 11 of them were upregulated in MIM319 transgenic alfalfa, and among them four (MsTCP3/4/10A/B) genes were directly degraded by miR319. MIM319 transgene alfalfa plants showed a salt sensitive phenotype, which caused by a lower content of potassium in alfalfa at least partly. The expression of potassium transported related genes showed significantly higher expression in MIM319 plants. CONCLUSIONS: We systematically analyzes the MsTCP gene family at a genome-wide level and reported that miR319-TCPs model played a function in K+ up-taking and/ or transportation especially in salt stress. The study provide valuable information for future study of TCP genes in alfalfa and supplies candidate genes for salt-tolerance alfalfa molecular-assisted breeding.

MIM-Graph: A multi-sensor network approach for fault diagnosis of HSR Bogie bearings at the IoT edge via mutual information maximization.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is crucial in developing next-generation high-speed railways (HSRs). HSR IoT enables intelligent diagnosis of trains using multi-sensor data, which is critical for maintaining high speeds and ensuring passenger safety. Graph neural network (GNN)-based methods have gained popularity in HSR IoT research due to the ability to represent the sensor network as intuitive graphs. However, labeling monitoring data in the HSR scenario takes time and effort. To address this challenge, we propose a semi-supervised graph-level representation learning approach called MIM-Graph, which uses mutual information maximization to learn from a large amount of unlabeled data. First, the multi-sensor data is converted into association graphs based on their spatial topology. The unsupervised encoder is trained using global-local mutual maximization. The teacher-student framework transfers knowledge from the unsupervised encoder learned to the supervised encoder, which is trained using a small amount of labeled data. As a result, the supervised encoder learns distinguishable representations for intelligent diagnosis of HSR. We evaluate the proposed method using CWRU dataset and data from HSR Bogie test platform, and the experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of MIM-Graph.

Analysis of the water-soluble vitamins based on MIM waveguide structure and Fano resonance.

Fano resonance (FR) is extremely sensitive to extremely small changes in the surrounding environment. We first propose an optical nano-refractive index sensor based on Fano resonance, which is applied to the identification of water-soluble vitamins B1, B5 and B6 and the measurement of the concentration of vitamin B1. The sensor can be used to rapidly identify pure vitamins B1, B5, and B6 at a concentration of 1 g/50 mL at 25 °C based on the relationship between the wavelength shift in the FR line spectrum and the refractive index. This work shows that the sensitivity of the sensor can reach 1327.5 nm/RIU, the sensor can be used to rapidly identify vitamins B1, B5, and B6 through changes in refractive index under certain conditions. Moreover, rapid calculation of vitamin B1 solution concentration is achieved based on the relationship between different concentrations of vitamin B1 solution and their corresponding refractive indexes and wavelength shifts in their FR line spectrums, which is an important step for the application of the designed MIM waveguide structures to the fields of biology, chemistry, and medicine.

The planar anodic Al2O3-ZrO2 nanocomposite capacitor dielectrics for advanced passive device integration.

The need for integrated passive devices (IPDs) emerges from the increasing consumer demand for electronic product miniaturization. Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors are vital components of IPD systems. Developing new materials and technologies is essential for advancing capacitor characteristics and co-integrating with other electronic passives. Here we present an innovative electrochemical technology joined with the sputter-deposition of Al and Zr layers to synthesize novel planar nanocomposite metal-oxide dielectrics consisting of ZrO2 nanorods self-embedded into the nanoporous Al2O3 matrix such that its pores are entirely filled with zirconium oxide. The technology is utilized in MIM capacitors characterized by modern surface and interface analysis techniques and electrical measurements. In the 95-480 nm thickness range, the best-achieved MIM device characteristics are the one-layer capacitance density of 112 nF·cm-2, the loss tangent of 4·10-3 at frequencies up to 1 MHz, the leakage current density of 40 pA·cm-2, the breakdown field strength of up to 10 MV·cm-1, the energy density of 100 J·cm-3, the quadratic voltage coefficient of capacitance of 4 ppm·V-2, and the temperature coefficient of capacitance of 480 ppm·K-1 at 293-423 K at 1 MHz. The outstanding performance, stability, and tunable capacitors' characteristics allow for their application in low-pass filters, coupling/decoupling/bypass circuits, RC oscillators, energy-storage devices, ultrafast charge/discharge units, or high-precision analog-to-digital converters. The capacitor technology based on the non-porous planar anodic-oxide dielectrics complements the electrochemical conception of IPDs that combined, until now, the anodized aluminum interconnection, microresistors, and microinductors, all co-related in one system for use in portable electronic devices.