Comparison of Aroma Compounds and Sensory Characteristics between Two Different Types of Rice-Based Baijiu.

Rice-based Baijiu has gained popularity in the Chinese market. Qingya-flavored Baijiu, a variant of Xiaoqu-fermented Baijiu, employs rice as its primary raw material, with an improved production process compared to traditional rice-flavored Baijiu. We comprehensively characterized and compared the aroma profiles of these two rice-based Baijiu types using static sensory experiments (QDA, quantitative descriptive analysis) and dynamic sensory experiments (TDS, temporal dominance of sensations). Qingya-flavored Baijiu exhibited pronounced plant, oily, and roasted aromas, while traditional rice-flavored Baijiu displayed more prominent fruity, floral, and sour notes. Utilizing GC-O-MS (gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry) and multi-method quantification, we qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed 61 key aroma compounds, identifying 22 compounds with significant aroma contributions based on odor activity values (OAVs). Statistical analyses, combining sensory and chemical results, were conducted to predict important aroma compounds responsible for the aroma differences between the two Baijiu types. Aroma Recombination and Omission experiments showed that seven compounds play key roles in the aroma of Qingya-flavored Baijiu, including (2E,4E)-Deca-2,4-dienal, linalool, apricolin, ethyl acetate, ethyl isobutyrate, ethyl caprylate, and ethyl isovalerate.

Soft Subspace Based Ensemble Clustering for Multivariate Time Series Data.

Recently, multivariate time series (MTS) clustering has gained lots of attention. However, state-of-the-art algorithms suffer from two major issues. First, few existing studies consider correlations and redundancies between variables of MTS data. Second, since different clusters usually exist in different intrinsic variables, how to efficiently enhance the performance by mining the intrinsic variables of a cluster is challenging work. To deal with these issues, we first propose a variable-weighted K-medoids clustering algorithm (VWKM) based on the importance of a variable for a cluster. In VWKM, the proposed variable weighting scheme could identify the important variables for a cluster, which can also provide knowledge and experience to related experts. Then, a Reverse nearest neighborhood-based density Peaks approach (RP) is proposed to handle the problem of initialization sensitivity of VWKM. Next, based on VWKM and the density peaks approach, an ensemble Clustering framework (SSEC) is advanced to further enhance the clustering performance. Experimental results on ten MTS datasets show that our method works well on MTS datasets and outperforms the state-of-the-art clustering ensemble approaches.

AP Shadow Net: A Remote Sensing Shadow Removal Network Based on Atmospheric Transport and Poisson's Equation.

Shadow is one of the fundamental indicators of remote sensing image which could cause loss or interference of the target data. As a result, the detection and removal of shadow has already been the hotspot of current study because of the complicated background information. In the following passage, a model combining the Atmospheric Transport Model (hereinafter abbreviated as ATM) with the Poisson Equation, AP ShadowNet, is proposed for the shadow detection and removal of remote sensing images by unsupervised learning. This network based on a preprocessing network based on ATM, A Net, and a network based on the Poisson Equation, P Net. Firstly, corresponding mapping between shadow and unshaded area is generated by the ATM. The brightened image will then enter the Confrontation identification in the P Net. Lastly, the reconstructed image is optimized on color consistency and edge transition by Poisson Equation. At present, most shadow removal models based on neural networks are significantly data-driven. Fortunately, by the model in this passage, the unsupervised shadow detection and removal could be released from the data source restrictions from the remote sensing images themselves. By verifying the shadow removal on our model, the result shows a satisfying effect from a both qualitative and quantitative angle. From a qualitative point of view, our results have a prominent effect on tone consistency and removal of detailed shadows. From the quantitative point of view, we adopt the non-reference evaluation indicators: gradient structure similarity (NRSS) and Natural Image Quality Evaluator (NIQE). Combining various evaluation factors such as reasoning speed and memory occupation, it shows that it is outstanding among other current algorithms.

The Optimal Error Estimate of the Fully Discrete Locally Stabilized Finite Volume Method for the Non-Stationary Navier-Stokes Problem.

This paper proves the optimal estimations of a low-order spatial-temporal fully discrete method for the non-stationary Navier-Stokes Problem. In this paper, the semi-implicit scheme based on Euler method is adopted for time discretization, while the special finite volume scheme is adopted for space discretization. Specifically, the spatial discretization adopts the traditional triangle P1-P0 trial function pair, combined with macro element form to ensure local stability. The theoretical analysis results show that under certain conditions, the full discretization proposed here has the characteristics of local stability, and we can indeed obtain the optimal theoretic and numerical order error estimation of velocity and pressure. This helps to enrich the corresponding theoretical results.

CSMVC: A Multiview Method for Multivariate Time-Series Clustering.

Multivariate time-series (MTS) clustering is a fundamental technique in data mining with a wide range of real-world applications. To date, though some approaches have been developed, they suffer from various drawbacks, such as high computational cost or loss of information. Most existing approaches are single-view methods without considering the benefits of mutual-support multiple views. Moreover, due to its data structure, MTS data cannot be handled well by most multiview clustering methods. Toward this end, we propose a consistent and specific non-negative matrix factorization-based multiview clustering (CSMVC) method for MTS clustering. The proposed method constructs a multilayer graph to represent the original MTS data and generates multiple views with a subspace technique. The obtained multiview data are processed through a novel non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) method, which can explore the view-consistent and view-specific information simultaneously. Furthermore, an alternating optimization scheme is proposed to solve the corresponding optimization problem. We conduct extensive experiments on 13 benchmark datasets and the results demonstrate the superiority of our proposed method against other state-of-the-art algorithms under a wide range of evaluation metrics.

Topology identification of fractional-order complex dynamical networks based on auxiliary-system approach.

Many practical systems can be well described by various fractional-order equations. This paper focuses on identifying the topology of the response layer of a drive-response fractional-order complex dynamical network using the auxiliary-system approach. Specifically, the response layer and the auxiliary layer receive the same input signals from the drive layer. By a designed adaptive control law, the unknown topology of the response layer is successfully identified. Moreover, the proposed method is effective even if the drive layer is made up of isolated nodes. The correctness of the theoretical results is demonstrated by numerical simulations.

Protective effect of sevoflurane on vascular endothelial glycocalyx in patients undergoing heart valve surgery: A randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The glycocalyx plays an important physiological role and may be damaged during cardiopulmonary bypass. Sevoflurane can protect the glycocalyx; however, its relevance in a clinical setting is unknown. OBJECTIVE: Glycocalyx degradation during cardiopulmonary bypass in patients was investigated. On the basis of the available experimental data, we hypothesised that sevoflurane-based anaesthesia would confer additional protection against cardiopulmonary bypass-induced glycocalyx damage. DESIGN: Randomised controlled study. SETTING: Clinical study at The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between June 2018 and March 2019. PATIENTS: Fifty-one patients. INTERVENTIONS: After intubation and mechanical ventilation, patients undergoing elective heart valve surgery were maintained under general anaesthesia with either propofol or sevoflurane during surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Glycocalyx markers (such as syndecan-1, heparan sulphate and hyaluronan), sheddases responsible for the degradation of the endothelial glycocalyx (such as matrix metalloproteinase-9 and cathepsin-B), urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and levels of lactic acid and myocardial enzymes were all measured. Postoperative mechanical ventilation time and length of stay in the cardiac care unit and hospital were also measured. Morbidity and mortality after 30 days and 1 year were evaluated. RESULTS: The vascular endothelial glycocalyx was damaged during cardiopulmonary bypass. The glycocalyx damage in the sevoflurane group was less extensive than that in the propofol group. The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio increased in both groups but was lower in the sevoflurane group. Enzymes including matrix metalloproteinase-9 and cathepsin-B were positively correlated with glycocalyx marker concentrations. After operation, the sevoflurane group showed lower levels of lactic acid and myocardial enzyme, as well as shorter duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation than the propofol group. CONCLUSION: Sevoflurane can decrease glycocalyx degradation in patients undergoing heart valve surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, chictr.org.cn, identifier: ChiCTR1800016367.

A novel effect of combining microorganisms and graphene oxide for solidifying simulated nuclides strontium.

Inspired by microbial diagenesis and mounding, microbial mineralization technology has been widely used in the treatment of heavy metal and radionuclide contamination. S. pasteurii can decompose urea as a source of energy to produce CO32- in the microbial mineralization system. Therefore, strontium-contaminated radioactive wastewater can be effectively treated by combining CO32- with surrounding strontium ions (Sr2+) to form strontium carbonate (SrCO3). Herein, we investigated how the concentration of graphene oxide (GO) and mineralization time influence the morphology of SrCO3 and the mineralization efficiency. GO was used as a crystal regulator to solidify the radionuclide strontium in the microbial mineralization system to obtain large-scale rock-like SrCO3 minerals. The results showed that GO can adsorb the surrounding Sr2+ with oxygen-containing functional groups on its surface to form SrCO3 complexes, directly influencing the morphology and consolidation percentage of SrCO3. Considering the leaching behaviour of nuclides, we further studied the stability of consolidated SrCO3 minerals. The results indicated that the presence of GO improved the stability of the mineralized samples obtained in the microbial mineralization system.

Correlation Between Wall Shear Stress and Acute Degradation of the Endothelial Glycocalyx During Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Wall shear stress (WSS) plays a key role in maintaining glycocalyx function, gene expression, and structure. Experimental studies have discussed the relationship between the shedding of the endothelial glycocalyx (EG) and WSS. However, rare literature about how WSS affects the EG during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was mentioned. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the WSS of carotid arteries and shedding of the EG during CPB in humans. The WSS level was calculated in accordance with an equation. The plasma concentrations of heparan sulfate, syndecan-1, and nitric oxide were measured to reflect shedding of the EG at six time points. A negative correlation was observed between the peak wall shear stress (PWSS) and syndecan-1 (R = - 0.5, p < 0.01) and heparan sulfate (R = - 0.461, p < 0.01) during CPB. The WSS is closely associated with the components of glycocalyx shedding during CPB. The WSS produced by non-pulsatile flow during CPB may contribute to the degradation of EG.

Correlation between acute degradation of the endothelial glycocalyx and microcirculation dysfunction during cardiopulmonary bypass in cardiac surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The association between the shedding of the endothelial glycocalyx (EG) and the pathogenesis of microcirculatory perfusion disturbances has been discussed in experimental studies. This discussion, however, has limited relevance in a clinical setting. We investigated EG shedding in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and its association with alterations in microvascular perfusion. METHODS: The plasma levels of syndecan-1, heparan sulfate, and hyaluronan were used as markers of glycocalyx degradation. Microcirculatory parameters included perfused vessel density (PVD) and De Backer Scores. Sidestream dark field imaging (SDF) was applied to visualize sublingual microcirculation during the preoperative resting state (T0), after sternum splitting, after aortic clamping, 5 min before aortal declamping, 1 h after CPB (T4), 4 h after CPB, 24 h after CPB (T6), and 48 h after CPB. RESULTS: Thirty patients undergoing cardiac surgery were recruited. The plasma levels of glycocalyx degradation markers increased after CPB. This increase indicated severe glycocalyx shedding at T4 relative to that at T0. By T6, the plasma levels of glycocalyx degradation markers had decreased to baseline levels in a stepwise manner. PVD and the De Backer Scores decreased at T4 and recovered at T6. Glycocalyx marker concentrations were correlated with microvascular alterations during cardiac surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Glycocalyx components are closely related to microcirculation perfusion disorders. Damage to the glycocalyx during surgery with CPB may play a key role in microcirculation perfusion dysfunction.

Photothermal Heating-Induced Localized Structural Disruption in a Poly-ε-caprolactone Nanocarrier System for Controlled Drug Delivery.

Drug delivery that enables spatial and temporal control is essential to optimal pharmacotherapy, among which photothermal heating has been widely used as a light-responsive drug release. However, the heating mechanism underlying the application has been rarely elaborated. Herein, we used a template-assisted approach to formulate a poly-ε-caprolactone nanocarrier system integrated with magnetic nanoparticles and gold nanorods for a controlled drug delivery. With the incorporated magnetic nanoparticles, the system included efficient cellular internalization via magnetic driving. Meanwhile, it demonstrated a near-infrared-light-responsive on/off drug release behavior by photothermal heating originated from the gold nanorods. The nanostructure of the carrier system was examined intact upon the photothermal heating. A further investigation on the release mechanism showed that the photothermal heating confined temperature elevation to the region around gold nanorods, which only induced a localized structural change of the polymer matrix that triggered the release of the vicinity cargo. The work introduces a feasibly formulated multifunctional drug delivery system, and also, it unveils the controlled release mechanism of the photothermal heating that only triggers a localized structural disruption of the carrier matrix.

Correlation Between Flow-Mediated Dilatation of the Brachial Artery and Serum Endothelial Biomarkers in the Evaluation of Acute Endothelial Injury After Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery and serum endothelial biomarkers and to discuss the feasibility of sonographic evaluation of acute endothelial injury during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery. METHODS: Sonography was applied to determine the percentage of change in the brachial artery size during flow-mediated dilatation. Meanwhile, the plasma concentrations of endothelial-derived biomarkers, such as endothelin 1, nitric oxide, and von Willebrand factor, were measured to monitor the changes in endothelial function. We analyzed the correlation between flow-mediated dilatation and biomarkers during the perioperative period of CPB in 27 patients. RESULTS: All of the biomarkers changed dramatically, especially during the CPB period. There was a negative correlation between flow-mediated dilatation and von Willebrand factor (P = .001; R = -0.31). CONCLUSIONS: A CPB event has a substantial impact on endothelial function, and sonographic assessment of the percentage of change in the brachial artery size during flow-mediated dilatation allows early detection of acute endothelial function injury in cardiac surgery.

Enhancement of cisplatin-induced colon cancer cells apoptosis by shikonin, a natural inducer of ROS in vitro and in vivo.

Cisplatin-based therapy is one of the most important chemotherapy treatments for cancers. However, its efficacy is greatly limited by drug resistance and undesirable side effects. Therefore, it is of great importance to develop effective chemosensitization agents to cisplatin. In the present study, we demonstrated the strategy to use shikonin, a natural product from the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, as a synergistic agent of cisplatin and elucidated their action mechanisms. The combination of shikonin and cisplatin exhibited synergistic anticancer efficacy and achieved greater selectivity between cancer cells and normal cells. By inducing intracellular oxidative stress, shikonin potentiated cisplatin-induced DNA damage, followed by increased activation of mitochondrial pathway. In addition, inhibition of ROS reversed the apoptosis induced by shikonin and cisplatin, and recovered the depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential, which revealed the vital role of ROS in the synergism. Moreover, HCT116 xenograft tumor growth in nude mice was more effectively inhibited by combined treatment with shikonin and cisplatin. Our findings suggest that the strategy to apply shikonin as a synergistic agent to cisplatin could be a highly efficient way to achieve anticancer synergism by inducing intracellular oxidative stress. Shikonin may be a promising candidate as a chemosensitizer to cisplatin-based therapy for cancer treatments.

Determination of colloidal gold nanoparticle surface areas, concentrations, and sizes through quantitative ligand adsorption.

Determination of the true surface areas, concentrations, and particle sizes of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is a challenging issue due to the nanoparticle morphological irregularity, surface roughness, and size distributions. A ligand adsorption-based technique for determining AuNP surface areas in solution is reported. Using a water-soluble, stable, and highly UV-vis active organothiol, 2-mercaptobenzimidazole (MBI), as the probe ligand, we demonstrated that the amount of ligand adsorbed is proportional to the AuNP surface area. The equivalent spherical AuNP sizes and concentrations were determined by combining the MBI adsorption measurement with Au(3+) quantification of aqua regia-digested AuNPs. The experimental results from the MBI adsorption method for a series of commercial colloidal AuNPs with nominal diameters of 10, 30, 50, and 90 nm were compared with those determined using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and localized surface plasmonic resonance methods. The ligand adsorption-based technique is highly reproducible and simple to implement. It only requires a UV-vis spectrophotometer for characterization of in-house-prepared AuNPs.

[Determination of three sweeteners in vinegars by solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry].

A solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (SPE-HPLC/ESI-MS/MS) method for the determination of 3 sweeteners (acesulfame (AK), sodium saccharin (SA), sodium cyclamate (SC)) in vinegars has been developed. The sample was diluted with acidic water, then purified and enriched with a weak anion exchange SPE column. The HPLC separation was performed on a Pursuit C18 column (150 mm x 2.0 mm, 3 microm) by gradient elution with 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate containing 0.1% (v/v) ammonia water and acetonitrile as the mobile phases. The analytes were detected by ESI--MS/MS in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode to satisfy qualitative and quantitative detections. Good linearities (r2 > 0.99) were obtained over the range of 0.01 - 0.50 mg/L. The limits of quantification (LOQs) for SA, AK and SC were 10, 5 and 5 microg/kg, respectively. The average recoveries ranged from 72.1% to 96.8% at the spiked levels of 0.01 and 0.1 mg/L with the relative standard deviations (RSDs) less than 15%. This method is accurate, highly sensitive for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the 3 sweeteners in vinegars.

Darboux transformation for a generalized Hirota-Satsuma coupled Korteweg-de Vries equation.

A Darboux transformation for the generalized Hirota-Satsuma coupled Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation is derived with the aid of the gauge transformation between the corresponding 4x4 matrix spectral problems with three potentials, by which some explicit solutions of the generalized Hirota-Satsuma coupled KdV equation are constructed. As a reduction, a Darboux transformation of the complex coupled KdV equation and its explicit solutions are obtained.