Resilience of infaunal ecosystems during the Early Triassic greenhouse Earth

The Permian-Triassic mass extinction severely depleted biodiversity, primarily observed in the body fossil of well-skeletonized animals. Understanding how whole ecosystems were affected and rebuilt following the crisis requires evidence from both skeletonized and soft-bodied animals; the best comprehensive information on soft-bodied animals comes from ichnofossils. We analyzed abundant trace fossils from 26 sections across the Permian-Triassic boundary in China and report key metrics of ichnodiversity, ichnodisparity, ecospace utilization, and ecosystem engineering. We find that infaunal ecologic structure was well established in the early Smithian. Decoupling of diversity between deposit feeders and suspension feeders in carbonate ramp-platform settings implies that an effect of trophic group amensalism could have delayed the recovery of nonmotile, suspension-feeding epifauna in the Early Triassic. This differential reaction of infaunal ecosystems to variable environmental controls thus played a substantial but heretofore little appreciated evolutionary and ecologic role in the overall recovery in the hot Early Triassic ocean

Research on Pseudo-Node Detection Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Networks

With the wide application of the wireless sensor network, the security of the sensor network is becoming increasingly important. In this paper, based on node ranging, a new intrusion node detection algorithm has been proposed for external pseudo-node detection in wireless sensor networks. The presence of the nodes under copying-attack and the pseudo-nodes in the network can be detected through inter-node ranging with appropriate use of various sensors of nodes themselves and comprehensive analysis of ranging results. Operating in a stand-alone or embedded manner, this method has remedied the defects in the traditional principle of attack detection. The simulation results show that the proposed method has excellent applicability in wireless sensor security detection

Parameter Optimization of Finger Clip Plate Garlic Seed-Metering Device

In order to improve the success rate of garlic sowing and the qualification rate of garlic seeds, a fingerboard-type garlic seed metering device was designed, and its parameters were optimized. First, the structure and working principles of seed-metering devices were studied. Subsequently, its critical component parameters were determined using theoretical calculations; then, discrete element method multi-body dynamics (DEM-MBD)-coupling simulation software was used to explore the seed-metering device process and analyze the effects of the opening angle of the clamping plate, the diameter of the seed scoop, and rotational speed of the seeding plate on the single-seed rate, missing rate, and reply rate of the device. Finally, a quadratic regression orthogonal rotation simulation experiment was conducted using the splint opening angle, scoop opening diameter, and rotation speed of the seeding plate as experimental factors, with the single-seed filling rate, qualified percentage, and missing rate as evaluation indicators. A three-factor, five-level orthogonal test was conducted to determine the mathematical regression model of experiment factors and evaluation indicators and to realize parameter optimization. A bench validation test was conducted using a 63° splint opening angle, a 24 mm seed-collecting scoop opening diameter, and 34 r/min seed-metering plate rotation speed. The average qualified rate, missing rate, and reply rate of single seeds were 91.86%, 2.71%, and 5.43%, respectively, which was consistent with the regression model results. This indicates that the method proposed in this paper achieved parameter optimization of a fingerboard garlic seed metering device

Laxative Effects of Yangyin Tongmi Capsule on a Model of Diphenoxylate-Induced Constipation in Mice

Constipation is characterized by reduced number of bowel movements, dry stools, and difficult defecation. Yangyin Tongmi capsule (YTC), a traditional Chinese formula, is used in the treatment of constipation, while the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Herein, this work attempted to prove the effects of YTC on constipation treatment and its possible mechanisms. KM mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10/group) and treated with double distilled water (Control), diphenoxylate (Model: 10 mg/kg), or diphenoxylate plus low-dose YTC (L-YTC: 0.6 g/kg) or high-dose YTC (H-YTC: 1.2 g/kg). The data indicated that YTC can significantly shorten the discharge time of the first black stool, improve intestinal propulsion rate, and increase the water content and quantity of feces in mice. ELISA suggested that YTC regulate the content of intestinal hormones and neurotransmitters, such as motilin (MTL), gastrin (GT), somatostatin (SST), substance P (SP), acetylcholine (Ach), and nitric oxide (NO). The expression levels of aquaporin 3 (AQP3) and aquaporin 8 (AQP8) in the colon were examined by immunohistochemistry. In the meantime, the expression levels of P2X2, C-kit, and stem cell factor (SCF) in the colon were examined by western blot analysis. The results of this study suggest that YTC has mitigative effects on diphenoxylate-induced constipation by regulating the content of intestinal hormones and neurotransmitters and regulating the expression of related proteins in the colon

Robust Ni/WC superhydrophobic surfaces by electrodeposition

Superhydrophobic, water repellent surfaces have attracted much attention but poor surface mechanical properties have limited their wider practical application. Robust surfaces based on nickel-tungsten carbide composite coatings have been electrodeposited. The surfaces showed superhydrophobicity after being modified by stearic acid. The maximum contact angle of water was 164.3 degrees with a sliding angle close to zero degree. By controlling deposition conditions, versatile coatings have been produced and the effects of morphology on wettability are discussed. Coating texture has been analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The surfaces showed excellent abrasion resistance and water-repellence