Microstructure and interaction in aluminum hydrides@polydopamine composites and interfacial improvement with GAP adhesive.

The reduction of interfacial interaction and the deterioration of processing properties of aluminum hydrides (AlH3) is the main challenges preventing its practical application. Here, a simple and effective core-shell structure aluminum hydrides@polydopamine (AlH3@PDA) complex was constructed through in-situ polymerization. The evolution of element states on the surface of AlH3 conducted by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated the successful introduction of PDA to form the core@shell structure, the thickness of the PDA coated layer increased with the increasing PDA dosage from 0.1 to 1.6% in mass fraction, and the maximum of thickness is 50 nm in TEM testing. Py GC/MS results proved that the increase of dopamine concentration leads to higher proportions of self-assemble units, whereas lower dopamine concentrations favor higher levels of chemical bonded components. Regarding whether PDA is a covalent polymer or a noncovalent aggregate of some species, the formation of intermediates, such as dopaminechrome and 5,6-dihydroxyindole played an important role to coordination interaction with AlH3 in FTIR, Raman, and UV-Vis spectra testing. Compared with pure AlH3, the formation of organic PDA coating improved AlH3 heat resistance. The adhesion work with GAP adhesive was also improved from 107.02 J/m2 of pure AlH3 to 111.13 mJ/m2 of AlH3@PDA-5 complex. This paper provides well support for further practical application of AlH3 in solid propellants.

Simulated nitrogen load promoted mineralization of N2P1 compounds and accumulation of N4S2 compounds in soil dissolved organic matter in a typical subtropical estuarine marsh.

Soil dissolved organic matter (DOM) is the most reactive pool in estuarine marshes, playing an important role in the biogeochemical processes of biogenetic elements. To investigate the impacts of enhanced nitrogen (N) load on DOM molecular composition and its interactions with microbes in typical Cyperus malaccensis mashes of the Min River estuary, a field N load experiment with four N levels (0, 37.50, 50 and 100 g exogenous N m-2 yr-1, respectively; applied monthly for a total of seven months) was performed. DOM molecular composition was characterized by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS), the microbial community compositions (MCC, including fungi and bacteria) were determined by high-throughput sequencing technique, and their relationships were presented by co-occurrence network analysis. The results indicated that enhanced N load had significant impacts on soil DOM molecular composition, with N/C and P/C of DOM decreasing but S/C increasing markedly. Meanwhile, enhanced N load decreased the percentages of N2P1 compounds (primarily lipids) but increased those of N4S2 compounds (mainly lignins and lipids). The relative abundances of lignins significantly increased with increasing N load levels, whereas the proportions of lipids decreased. The abundance of N2P1 and N4S2 compounds was primarily positively correlated with eutrophic and oligotrophic microorganisms, respectively. Therefore, mineralization of N2P1 compounds might act as a source to replenish inorganic P, while enrichment of N4S2 compounds may make great contribution to organic S accumulation. Overall, enhanced N load promoted P depletion and S enrichment via altering plant growth, litter decomposition and MCC.

Puerperal septic shock complicated with symmetrical peripheral gangrene: A case report.

RATIONALE: Puerperal sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by infection that can rapidly progress to multisystem infection and toxin-mediated shock. Symmetrical peripheral gangrene is defined as symmetrical distal ischemic damage in two or more sites in the absence of major vascular occlusive disease. The syndrome is devastating and rare. In this study, we introduce a case of puerperal septicemia complicated by symmetrical peripheral gangrene. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 23-year-old woman delivered a live female infant vaginally after cervical balloon dilatation at 39 weeks of gestation. Persistent hyperthermia developed on the first postpartum day. After experiencing ventricular fibrillation, acute liver failure, and acute pulmonary edema, she developed blackened extremities on the 5th postpartum day. DIAGNOSES: Puerperal septicemia complicated by symmetrical peripheral gangrene. INTERVENTIONS: Upon transfer to our hospital, the patient was enrolled in the intensive care unit and underwent anti-infective and amputation surgery. OUTCOMES: After the surgery, the patient recovered well and was successfully discharged from the hospital. LESSONS: Early detection and timely treatment is the best way to reduce the mortality and sequelae of puerperal sepsis. Physicians should be alert to the possibility of comorbid symmetrical peripheral gangrene when sepsis patients present with hepatic impairment.

The only species of Calvisia (Phasmatodea, Necrosciinae) from China, with a new synonymy and additional descriptions.

Calvisia is a colorful winged stick insect genus consisting of 6 subgenera and 44 species widely distributed in temperate and tropical Asia. C. medogensis syn. nov. was discovered in Mdog, Xizang (Tibet), China and is so far the only species recorded from China. We here propose that C. medogensis syn. nov. is a synonym of C. fuscoalata after checking type specimens of both species. New materials studied are deposited in Yunnan Agricultural University, China (YNAU).

High-Energy Composite Fuels with Improved Combustion Efficiency by Using AlH3 Embedded with Al Particles.

Aluminum hydride (AlH3) has attracted much attention due to its potential to replace aluminum (Al) as a novel energetic material in solid propellants. In this research, ammonium perchlorate (AP) and perfluoropolyether (PFPE) as functionalized coatings and a combination of acoustic resonance and spray drying technology have been employed to prepare AlH3@Al@AP (AHAPs) and AlH3@Al@AP@PFPE (AHAPs-F) energetic composite particles. The formulations of composite propellants and modified AlH3 particles were designed and fabricated. Their thermal reactivity, reaction heat, density, vacuum stability, combustion performance, and condensed combustion products (CCPs) have been systematically investigated. The results show that the solid propellants containing AHAPs (SP13) and AHAPs-F (SP14) composites can significantly enhance the reactivity and energy output compared to conventional solid propellants with the mechanical mixture Al/AlH3 (SP12). In particular, the total heat releases of SP13 and SP14 are almost 1.2 and 1.7 times higher than those of conventional ones (SP12, 1442 J g-1), respectively. Among the AlH3-based propellants, SP14 propellants exhibit the highest reaction heat of 5887 J g-1, the most intensive flame radiation of 31.4 × 103, and the highest combustion wave temperature of 2495 °C. Moreover, the particle size distribution of CCPs from SP14 propellants is much narrower and smaller than that of SP12, resulting in higher combustion efficiency.

The genus Nandithrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), with a new species from Southern China.

Nandithrips niveae sp. n. is described from Southern China. This is the second species of Nandithrips, a genus that is remarkable among Thripinae with ocellar setae I and II absent, abdominal tergite VIII of female with posteromarginal comb absent medially, and sternite II of male with an oval pore plate. The body of this new species is sharply bicolored, in contrast to the uniformly golden yellow type species. Both species are known only from the flowers of plants in the family Urticaceae.

Stabilization of AlH3 Crystals by the Coating of Hydrophobic PFPE and Resulted Reactivity with Ammonium Perchlorate.

Aluminum hydride (AlH3) is a promising fuel component of solid propellant, but its stabilization is still challenging. Herein, surface functionalization of hydrophobic perfluoropolyether (PFPE) followed by ammonium perchlorate (AP) coating has been implemented. In particular, AlH3@PFPE@xAP (x = 10, 30, 50, or 64.21%) composites (AHFPs) were prepared by a spray-drying technique. The PFPE-functionalized AlH3 with a hydrophobic surface shows an increased water contact angle (WCA) from 51.87° to 113.54°. Compared with pure AlH3, the initial decomposition temperatures of AHFPs were increased by 17 °C, and the decomposition properties of AP in the AHFPs were also enhanced with significantly decreased peak temperature and fairly increased energy output. Moreover, the decomposition induction time of AHFPs-30% was improved by almost 1.82 times that of raw AlH3, which indicates that the coatings of PFPE and AP could improve the stability of AlH3. The maximum flame radiation intensity of AHFPs-30% was 21.6 × 103, which is almost 7.71 times that of pure AlH3 (2.8 × 103).

Evaluation of Effective Crosslinking Density for Pseudo-Semi Interpenetrating Polymer Networks Based on Polyether Glycols Mixture by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis.

Pseudo-semi interpenetrating polymer networks (pseudo-semi IPNs) are a special example of topological isomerism in macromolecules, which have attracted significant attention in recent years with a high potential in a variety of engineering applications of polymeric materials. In this article, pseudo-semi IPNs were synthetized by sequential polymerization of thermoplastic polymers (TPEs) in the presence of thermosetting elastomer (TSEs) with contents of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt.% in a vacuum oven at 60 °C for about 72 h. In addition, this article describes a method for researching the elastic modulus, effective crosslinking density and physical crosslinking density of TSEs and pseudo-semi IPNs. The inherent interactions and entanglements of pseudo-semi IPNs were discussed by analyzing the changes in elastic modulus and effective crosslinking density at different temperatures. The results show that after the TPE was added to the TSE matrix as a plastic-reinforced material, the ductility increased from 89.6% to 491%, the effective crosslinking density was increased by 100% at high temperatures and the strength of the material matrix was significantly improved. Two physical events take place in our pseudo-semi IPNs as result of energy dissipation and polymeric chains mobility.

Effect of Mo Content on In-Situ Anisometric Grains Growth and Mechanical Properties of Mo2FeB2-Based Cermets.

Mo2FeB2-based cermets have wide applications in fields of wear resistance, corrosion resistance and heat resistance due to their simple preparation process, low-cost raw materials, and prominent mechanical properties. Herein, Mo2FeB2-based cermets with xMo (x = 43.5, 45.5, 47.5, 49.5, wt.%) were prepared by means of the vacuum liquid phase sintering technique. Investigations on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mo2FeB2-based cermets with Mo addition were performed. Experimental results show that, with Mo content increasing, the average particle size decreases gradually, revealing that the grain coarsening of Mo2FeB2-based cermets is controlled by interface reaction. In addition, Mo2FeB2 grains gradually transform from an elongated shape to a nearly equiaxed shape. The improvement of Mo2FeB2 hard phase on the morphology is mainly due to the inhibition of solution-precipitation reaction by increasing Mo. Furthermore, the relative density of cermets decreases due to the reduced Fe content. When Mo content is 47.5 wt.%, a relatively small grain size of Mo2FeB2 is obtained (about 2.03 µm). Moreover, with the increase in Mo content, hardness and transverse rupture strength (TRS) of Mo2FeB2-based cermets increase firstly and then decrease. Whereas, with increasing Mo content, the fracture toughness deteriorates gradually. When Mo content is 47.5 wt.%, the comprehensive mechanical properties of cermets are the best. The optimal raw material ratio for the preparation of Mo2FeB2-based cermets in this study is determined to be 47.5 wt.% Mo-6.0 wt.% B-Fe.

Aduncothrips newly recorded from China, with three new species and a new generic synonym (Thysanoptera: Aeolothripidae).

The previously monotypic genus Aduncothrips Ananthakrishnan from India is newly recorded from China with three new species: A. albus sp. n., A. huapingensis sp. n., A. kailiensis sp. n. The genus Desmidothrips Mound from Australia is synonymized with Aduncothrips, and the Japanese species A. japonicus (Masumoto Okajima) is newly recorded in China with first description of the male. A key to the seven known species of Aduncothrips is provided. Males in this genus, where known, have maxillary palps 3-segmented with segment II undivided, and tergite IX without claspers.

Spatial variation and ecological risk assessment for heavy metals in marsh sediments in Fuzhou reach of the Min River, Southeast China.

To explore the pollution levels, sources and risks of heavy metals in sediments in Fuzhou reach of the Min River, the sediments involving in seven marsh types were sampled. Results showed that the concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cd in sediments declined from freshwater segment to estuarine segment. Higher levels of Cu, Cr and Ni in sediments generally occurred in estuarine segment. The highest levels of Pb and Cd were observed in bush swamp, while those of Cr, Ni, Zn and Cu occurred in mudflat. Cr, Cu, Zn and Ni probably shared common source, while Pb and Cd originated from another source. Pb and Cd were identified as heavy metals of primary concerns and the former showed high potential toxicity and high contributions to ΣTUs. Next step, the metal pollutions in sediments might be more serious if effective measures were not taken to control the loading of pollutants.

Variation in Tracheid Dimensions of Conifer Xylem Reveals Evidence of Adaptation to Environmental Conditions.

Globally distributed extant conifer species must adapt to various environmental conditions, which would be reflected in their xylem structure, especially in the tracheid characteristics of earlywood and latewood. With an anatomical trait dataset of 78 conifer species growing throughout China, an interspecific study within a phylogenetic context was conducted to quantify variance of tracheid dimensions and their response to climatic and soil conditions. There was a significant difference in tracheid diameter between earlywood and latewood while no significant difference was detected in tracheid wall thickness through a phylogenetically paired t-test. Through a phylogenetic principle component analysis, Pinaceae species were found to be strongly divergent in their tracheid structure in contrast to a conservative tracheid structure in species of Cupressaceae, Taxaceae, and Podocarpaceae. Tracheid wall thickness decreased from high to low latitudes in both earlywood and latewood, with tracheid diameter decreasing for latewood only. According to the most parsimonious phylogenetic general least square models, environment and phylogeny together could explain about 21∼56% of tracheid structure variance. Our results provide insights into the effects of climate and soil on the xylem structure of conifer species thus furthering our understanding of the trees' response to global change.

UHPLC-MS/MS Analysis of the Accumulation and Excretion of Steroidal Glycoalkaloids Consumed by Potato Tuber Moth (Phthorimaea operculella) Larvae under Different Feeding Treatments.

Food poisoning caused by potato glycoside alkaloids (SGA) remains a critical factor that affects potato production safety. The potato tuber moth (Phthorimaea operculella) is a notorious pest that displays good adaptability to SGA in potato tissues. Studies that explore the mechanisms underlying SGA homeostasis in potato tuber moth larvae are urgently needed. In this study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was applied to detect the dominant SGA substances α-solanine and α-chaconine in potato leaves and PTM larval tissues. From the highest to lowest SGA concentrations, the potato cultivars studied were ranked as follows: DS47, LS6, DS23 and QS9. To exclude the influence of nutrients within different potato varieties, different SGA containing (0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4%) the artificial diet treatment groups were added. DS47 and 0.3% SGA-containing artificial diets presented the best conditions for PTM growth, development and reproduction compared to other potato cultivars and artificial diet controls. The potato tuber moth larva tissues were dissected and the SGA content within different tissues were detected using an UHPLC machine. The results showed that α-chaconine was dispersed in the feces, midgut, hindgut, head and cuticle, and α-solanine was distributed only in the feces and midgut. Antibiotic-treated insects exhibited higher concentrations of SGA than the normal microbiome group. Furthermore, the SGA concentrations of 100 newly-hatched PTM larvae and puparia were detected, with both of them found to contain small amounts of SGA. The results showed that ecdysis and the excretion process were effective approaches used by the potato tuber moth to equilibrate internal SGA accumulation. The microorganism-decreased SGA concentrations were excited in their gut. SGA may transfer from adults to the next generation, and SGAs in PTM are inheritable. In this study, we demonstrated that the potato tuber moth possessed an effective method to preliminarily decrease high SGA accumulation in potato.

Five new species and two new records of Mycterothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) from Southern China.

Five new species of Mycterothrips are described from Southwestern China: M. bicolor sp.n. , M. cangshanensis sp.n., M. daweishanensis sp.n., M. hani sp.n. and M. photiniae sp.nov. . The Japanese species M. grandis and the European species M. latus are newly recorded in China. Variation in M. fasciatus is discussed, and an updated key to 18 Mycterothrips species from China is provided.

The genus Helionothrips (Thysanoptera, Panchaetothripinae) in China, with two new species and an identification key.

With 28 listed species Helionothrips Bagnall is the most species-rich genus within the subfamily Panchaetothripinae. Problems are discussed with several character states used for species discrimination: fore wing color; thoracic sculpture; sense cone length on antennal segment IV; male sternal pore plates. An identification key is provided to 15 species of Helionothrips known in China, including H. pallidus sp. n. and H. phragmitesi sp.n. from Southwestern China.

Rhamphothrips genus-group in China, with description of two new species and two new records (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

Amalothrips bifurcus sp.n. is described from Southwestern China as the third species of Amalothrips, characterized by the forked sense cone on antennal segments IIIIV. Rhamphothrips yunnanensis sp.n. is described as the second known species of Rhamphothrips in which the male has laterally on the mesosternum one thorn-like seta and one stout shaded seta. Two species, Amalothrips noorazlani Ng and Parexothrips palumai Mound, are newly recorded from China.

The impact of leuprolide acetate-loaded calcium phosphate silicate cement to bone regeneration under osteoporotic conditions.

Osteoporosis is detrimental to the health of skeletal structure and significantly increases the risks of bone fracture. Moreover, bone regeneration is adversely impaired by increased osteoclastic activities as a result of osteoporosis. In this study, we developed a novel formulation of injectable bone cement based on calcium phosphate silicate cement (CPSC) and leuprolide acetate (LA). Several combinations of LA-CPSC bone cement were characterized and, it is found that LA could increase the setting time and compressive strength of CPSC in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, thein vitroresults revealed that LA-CPSC was biocompatible and able to encourage the osteoblast proliferation via the mTOR signalling pathway. Furthermore, the LA-CPSC was implanted in the osteoporotic rats to evaluate its effectiveness to repair bone fractures under the osteoporotic conditions. The biomarker study and micro-CT analyses indicated that LA-CPSC could effectively reduce the osteoclast activities and promote the bone regeneration. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that LA-CPSC injectable bone cement should be a viable solution to repair bone fractures under the osteoporotic conditions.

Species of Astrothrips from China, with one new species and a list of plant associations (Thysanoptera, Panchaetothripinae).

Seven species of the Panchaetothripinae genus Astrothrips are recorded from China, and an illustrated key provided for their identification. One new species is described, A. glanduculus sp.n., and the following three species are newly recorded from China, A. asiaticus, A. globiceps, and A. tumiceps. The male of A. aucubae is described for the first time, and plants from which Astrothrips have been taken are listed.

Filicopsothrips genus recorded from China, with description of a new species (Thysanoptera: Thripidae).

Dendrothripinae is a small sub-family in Thripidae which has a characteristically sinuate metathoracic endofurca reaching into the mesothorax. This structure is associated with the large muscles that are involved in jumping, and a similar metathoracic furca occurs in some Panchaetothripinae members as well as Trachynotothrips in the Thripinae (Mound 1999; Masumoto Okajima 2005). There are 12 extant genera and more than 100 species of Dendrothripinae, almost all feeding on leaves (ThripsWiki 2020). A few species are considered as pests, like Dendrothrips minowai and Pseudodendrothrips mori that damage the tea plant and mulberry respectively. An identification key to world genera of Dendrothripinae (except Projectothripoides) is available (Mound Tree 2016), and 14 species representing six genera are recorded in Japan (Masumoto Okajima 2017). Mirab-balou et al. (2011) provided a list of thrips in China including 15 Dendrothripinae species representing three genera: Asprothrips, Dendrothrips, and Pseudodendrothrips. Subsequently, three new species of Asprothrips have been described from this country (Tong et al. 2016, Wang Tong 2017) and two other genera, Edissa and Ensiferothrips, were found in Southern China (Zhang et al. 2018). Just recently, Wang et al. (2019) provided a key to 10 Dendrothrips species from China, including one new species. Therefore, five genera and 26 species of Dendrothripinae are recorded in China up to now (Zhang et al. 2018).

Phylogenetic analysis of the Taeniothrips genus-group, with revision of the species of Ctenothrips and Vulgatothrips (Thysanoptera, Thripinae).

The pattern of relationships within the Taeniothrips genus-group was examined using a morphological phylogenetic analysis. Genera comprising this group are discussed together with some character states used in the analysis. Taeniothrips genus-group is recovered as monophyletic, but Taeniothrips appears to be polyphyletic. Ctenothrips is here interpreted as sister-group to Vulgatothrips, with Ctenothrips smilax and C. dissimilis transferred to Vulgatothrips, and C. niger synonymized with C. smilax. Diagnoses of Ctenothrips and Vulgatothrips are presented with illustrated keys to distinguish these genera and their included species, and eight species are newly synonymised in Ctenothrips.