This study designed an automatic sorting system that can separate haploid maize kernels from cross-breeding kernels that are marked with the Navajo label. This system comprises the seed feeding, image acquisition, sorting and system control units. The seed feeding unit distributes the maize kernels over the synchronous belt. The image acquisition unit acquires the images of maize kernels, as well as distinguishes the heterozygous from haploid kernels based on the color feature of the endosperm. The sorting unit contains mechanical arms and solenoid valves that can select the heterozygote kernels using air suction. Lastly, the system control unit is compatible with other units. Four maize varieties, namely, 958-CAU, 1050-37, LC0990-LN75 and LC0995-CAU, were provided by China Agricultural University, National Maize Improvement Center. These varieties were selected for the experiments conducted. The successful unloading rates of the system are 85.56%, 91.39%, 87.22% and 86.39%, respectively. (R[Formula: see text]G)[Formula: see text]G–B[Formula: see text]/B was employed to distinguish the pigmented endosperm area. The accuracy rates of identification for the heterozygous kernels are 92.91%, 95.04%, 88.82% and 92.65% for 958-CAU, 1050-37, LC0990-LN75 and LC0995-CAU, respectively.

Anwulignan (AN) is a monomer lignan from Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wits (Schisandra sphenanthera fructus, Schisandra sphenanthera). The protective effect of AN against the indomethacin (IND)-induced gastric injury to mice and the related mechanism of action was investigated in this study. The effect of AN was mainly assessed by observing the gastric tissue morphology, gastric ulcer index (GUI), ulcer inhibition rate (UIR), gastric juice volume (GJV) and pH value. Chemical colorimetry, immunofluorescence, ELISA, and Western blot were used to detect related factors in the gastric tissue. The results showed that AN reduced the GUI, increased the UIR, inhibited the GJV, and increased the gastric pH value. AN significantly increased cyclooxygenase-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and prostaglandin E2 expression levels in the gastric tissue, activated nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), increased heme oxygenase-1 expression, enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and decreased the malondialdehyde content. AN reduced the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-k gene binding (NF-kB) p65 and its nuclear translocation, the key protein of NF-kB signaling pathway in the gastric tissue, and the content of the pathway downstream signaling molecules, including interleukin-6, interleukin-1b, and tumor necrosis factor-a, to play an anti-inflammatory role. AN inhibited the downstream signals B-cell lymphoma 2associated x protein and cleaved caspase-3 in gastric tissue, and activated B-cell lymphoma 2, to play an antiapoptotic role, which were further verified by Hoechst staining. Therefore, AN has a significant protection against the gastric injury induced by IND in mice, and the mechanism may be concerned in its activation of Nrf2, inhibition of NF-kB signaling pathway, and antiapoptotic effect. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAnwulignan (AN) significantly reduced the indomethacininduced gastric injury in mice, and its antioxidation, antiinflammation, and antiapoptosis were considered to be involve in the effect, suggesting that AN should be a potential drug or food supplement for gastric injury induced by indomethacin.

A three-layers assembled cavity die and its technological measures were designed for cold extrusion forming for the bevel gear. Numerical simulation of the cold extrusion forming process was applied using Deform-3D software, load curve, velocity field, stress field and temperature field were analyzed, thus obtain the basic knowledge of the law of the bevel gear deformation. Subsequent targets for optimization were introduced, aiming to solve the remaining problems of the current cold extrusion forming. The accomplished work shows some significance in guiding how to design a die and its technological measures.