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This study is aimed at investigating the mechanism by which a reactive material enhances the energy output of a composite charge consisting of an inner explosive, an intermediate non-detonating layer, and an outer explosive, which are widely used in tunable ammunition. Explosion experiments are conducted in two initiation modes. Using reactive Al/rubber significantly increases the fireball growth, shock wave velocity, and shock wave overpressure of the composite charge compared to using inert LiF/rubber. For simultaneous initiation, the increase is more obvious owing to the continuous exothermic reaction of the reactive layer. A composite charge with 40% (vol.) Al shows the highest difference in peak overpressure under the two initiation modes: 41.4%. A charge with 60% (vol.) Al ensures even lower shock wave and fireball velocities and peak overpressure than those of the 40% (vol.) Al charge, indicating that the excessive reactive Al content in the non-detonating layer inhibits the blast of the composite charge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, isosorbide dinonanoate (SDN), an environmentally sustainable plasticizer for polypropylene (PP), is successfully synthesized by virtue of esterification reaction using isosorbide and nonanoic acid with the reaction temperature of 120 °C, and the reaction time of 5 h. When the corporation of plasticizer SDN into PP matrix is the value of 15 phr, the impact strength of PP blends reaches 121 J/m, the dramatically increase of 384% compare to that of PP. DMA results shows that the glass transition temperature (Tg) of PP blends gradually decline with the increasing amount of SDN, indicating the efficient plasticization action of the SDN. It is suggested that SDN can be feasibly inserted into the non-polar matrix and then more evenly dispersed in matrix, herein, it will increase the distance between the polymer chains, improving the mobility of the molecular chains and the processing performance of the polymers. Furthermore, the plasticizing effect and environmental friendliness of SDN can be a potential replacement for o-phenyl plasticizers in the industry in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a sensitive interferometric technique for measuring the temperature derivative of the refractive index of liquids with an accuracy of 0.5% as illustrated by measurements with mixtures of liquid n-hexane and toluene. In addition the concentration dependence of the refractive index of these mixtures has been measured with refractometry. The experimentally observed temperature dependence of the refractive index appears to be consistent with a modification of the Lorentz–Lorenz relation proposed by Looyenga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the complex dynamic response of cylindrical metal shells under highstrain-rate loading, a mid-explosion recovery device is designed to recover cylindrical shells at an intermediary phase, chosen in this study to be the phase wherein cracks penetrate through the entire casing wall thickness. The surface dynamic processes of the expansion, fracture propagation, and rupture of a 40CrMnSiB steel cylindrical shell are measured with a high-speed framing camera for determining the appropriate inner diameter of the mid-explosion recovery device. The numerical simulation software Autodyn-3D is used to predict the influence of the device wall thickness and the maximum radial deformation of the device inner wall upon the outer fracture diameter of the casing. The casing at the desired phase is recovered by the device, and the outer diameter of the shell is found to increase by 1.77 times, while the radial deformation of the device is 5 mm. The crack distributions, the distance between the adjacent penetrating shear cracks, and the number of circumferential divisions are found to vary along the axis of the cylindrical casing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the initiation diameter and synchronicity error on the formation of fins and stable-flight velocity of an explosively formed projectile (EFP) with three-point initiation are investigated. The pressure and area of the Mach wave acting on the metal liner at different initiation diameters are calculated employing the Whitham method. LS-DYNA software is used to investigate the asymmetric collision of detonation waves resulting from three-point initiation synchronicity error, the distortion characteristics of the liner resulting from the composite detonation waves, and the performance parameters of the EFP with fins. Results indicate that deviations of the Y-shaped high-pressure zone and central ultrahigh-pressure zone from the liner center can be attributed to the error of three-point initiation, which leads to the irregular formation of EFP fins. It is noted that the area of the Mach wave decreases, but the pressure of the Mach wave and the final speed and length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio of the EFP increase, benefiting the formation of the EFP fins, as the initiation diameter increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of computer technology, numerical simulations of rock dynamics have been widely carried out. The accuracy of numerical simulations depends on the parameters of the constitutive model. In this paper, the parameters of a Johnson–Holmquist-II (JH-2) constitutive model for granite were determined. First, mechanical and penetration tests were carried out on granite specimens. The mechanical tests included a quasi-static compression test and Brazilian disc splitting test to obtain the basic mechanical parameters and failure modes of granite under impact loading. Then, using the experimental results combined with the existing literature data, the parameters of the JH-2 constitutive model were determined through theoretical derivation. Finally, by comparing the numerical simulation results with the test results, the validity of the parameters was verified. These parameters can better simulate the mechanical response and failure modes of granite under different loads. The material model parameters can provide references for subsequent experiments and related numerical simulations. Highlights: The parameters of a Johnson–Holmquist-II (JH-2) constitutive model for granite were obtained. Various mechanical tests and penetration tests were performed on granite. The model parameters have a wide range of applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of the liner material density and elongation on the shape of dual mode penetrators is studied by using the LS-DYNA software. Characteristics of liners made of five types of materials (aluminum, pure iron, copper, tantalum, and tungsten) under the same conditions of the liner volume or liner mass are compared. It is established that it is better to choose liner materials with good dynamic elongation and moderate density, such as pure iron and copper, to form good dual mode penetrators, namely, the explosively formed penetrator (EFP) and the jetting projectile charge (JPC). Characteristics of penetrators formed from aluminum, steel 20, and copper are considered. The simulation results are in good agreement with x-ray imaging experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years low molecular weight alkylamines have been recognized to play an important role in particle formation and growth in the lower atmosphere. However, major uncertainties are associated with their atmospheric processes, sources and sinks, mostly due to the lack of ambient measurements and the difficulties in accurate quantification of alkylamines at trace level. In this study, we present the evaluation and optimization of two analytical approaches, i.e., gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ion chromatography (IC), for the determination of alkylamines in aerosol particles. Alkylamines were converted to carbamates through derivatization with isobutyl chloroformate for GCMS determination. A set of parameters affecting the analytical performances of the GC-MS approach, including reagent amount, reaction time and pH value, was evaluated and optimized. The accuracy is 84.3-99.1 %, and the limits of detection obtained are 1.8-3.9 pg (or 0.02-0.04 ngm-3). For the IC approach, a solid-phase extraction (SPE) column was used to separate alkylamines from interfering cations before IC analysis. 1-2% (v/v) of acetone (or 2-4% (v/v) of acetonitrile) was added to the eluent to improve the separation of alkylamines on the IC column. The limits of detection obtained are 2.1-15.9 ng (or 0.9-6.4 ngm-3), and the accuracy is 55.1-103.4 %. The lower accuracy can be attributed to evaporation losses of amines during the sample concentration procedure. Measurements of ambient aerosol particle samples collected in Hong Kong show that the GC-MS approach is superior to the IC approach for the quantification of primary and secondary alkylamines due to its lower detection limits and higher accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work we report on the ionization of a gaseous neon target by combining extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation from the Free Electron Laser in Hamburg with an intense synchronized optical laser. Applying energy-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy, the dependence of the electrons ejected from singly charged neon (Ne+) on the relative polarization of the XUV and optical laser fields was investigated. The electron spectra exhibit a strong dependence on the degree of the relative orientation of the linear polarization vectors. A quantitative analysis was undertaken using multichannel time-dependent perturbation theory in order to reproduce the magnitude of the ejected low kinetic energy electrons as a function of the relative polarization directions and explicitly taking into account the influence of the residual Ne2+ cores (1D,3P). It is concluded that the variation of the photoelectron spectrum with the deviation of XUV and optical field directions is mainly related to the different responses of the magnetic substates of the ejected electrons in their interaction with the laser field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle fibre traits are related with meat quality in meat animals. In this study, a whole-genome scan with 183 microsatellite markers covering the pig genome was performed to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for cross-sectional area, numerical percentage and relative area of type I, IIA and IIB myofibres, fibre number per square centimetre and total fibre number in the longissimus muscle by using 120 F2 animals in a White Duroc × Erhualian intercross. In total, 20 QTL were mapped on pig chromosomes (SSC) 1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16 and X, of which eight reached genome-wide significance levels and explained large proportions (6.53–34.63%) of phenotypic variance. Five QTL detected in this study confirmed the previous QTL reports and the others were detected for the first time. Chinese Erhualian alleles are generally associated with muscle fibre traits favourable for meat quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present two cases of persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA) associated with a giant aneurysm originating at the opening of the PPTA on the internal carotid artery (ICA). In one case, opening of the PPTA occurred 4 months after balloon occlusion of the ICA, when a giant aneurysm located at the cavernous segment of the ICA was being treated. The PPTA was occluded successfully using a Guglielmi detachable coil (GDC). A vertebral artery approach was taken. This is the first report of the opening of a PPTA associated with contrast filling of the aneurysm after balloon occlusion of the parent artery. The possibility of contrast filling of the aneurysm via potential PPTA should therefore be considered in the event of an ICA aneurysm with parent artery occlusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylella fastidiosa, a xylem-limited bacterium, causes several economically important diseases in North, Central, and South America. These diseases are transmitted by sharpshooter insects, contaminated budwood, and natural root-grafts. X. fastidiosa extensively colonizes the xylem vessels of susceptible plants. Citrus fruit have a well-developed vascular system, which is continuous with the vascular system of the plant. Citrus seeds develop very prominent vascular bundles, which are attached through ovular and seed bundles to the xylem system of the fruit. Sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) fruit of cvs. Pera, Natal, and Valencia with characteristic symptoms of citrus variegated chlorosis disease were collected for analysis. X. fastidiosa was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in all main fruit vascular bundles, as well as in the seed and in dissected seed parts. No visual abnormalities were observed in seeds infected with the bacterium. However, the embryos of the infected seeds weighed 25% less than those of healthy seeds, and their germination rate was lower than uninfected seeds. There were about 2,500 cells of X. fastidiosa per infected seed of sweet orange, as quantified using real-time PCR techniques. The identification of X. fastidiosa in the infected seeds was confirmed by cloning and sequencing the specific amplification product, obtained by standard PCR with specific primers. X. fastidiosa was also detected in and recovered from seedlings by isolation in vitro. Our results show that X. fastidiosa can infect and colonize fruit tissues including the seed. We also have shown that X. fastidiosa can be transmitted from seeds to seedlings of sweet orange. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the presence of X. fastidiosa in seeds and its transmission to seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to overcome the inaccuracy and low accuracy of the evaluation results of the accident risk degree in the prone points extraction process of the road traffic accident, this paper proposes a new prone points extraction method of the road traffic accident based on the spatiotemporal kernel density of the network. This method builds the spatiotemporal model of the road traffic network, and simplifies the model according to the expression of the model feature data. The real probability density function of random variable is obtained by introducing the spatiotemporal kernel density estimation method of network, so as to evaluate the risk degree of accident prone point and complete the calculation of the risk degree limit value of accident prone point. According to the results of the calculation, the prone points extraction system of road traffic accident is established, and the prone points extraction of road traffic accident is realized based on the clustering results of accident risk degree. The experimental results show that compared with the three traditional prone point extraction methods of road traffic accident, the new prone point extraction method of road traffic accident greatly improves the accuracy of extraction, and the convergence effect of extraction error is better. The experimental results fully show that the proposed method has better application effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have performed light-scattering measurements in dilute and semidilute polymer solutions of polystyrene in toluene when subjected to stationary temperature gradients. Five solutions with concentrations below and one solution with a concentration above the overlap concentration were investigated. The experiments confirm the presence of long-range nonequilibrium concentration fluctuations which are proportional to (∇T)[sup 2]/k[sup 4], where ∇T is the applied temperature gradient and k is the wave number of the fluctuations. In addition, we demonstrate that the strength of the nonequilibrium concentration fluctuations, observed in the dilute and semidilute solution regime, agrees with theoretical values calculated from fluctuating hydrodynamics. Further theoretical and experimental work will be needed to understand nonequilibrium fluctuations in polymer solutions at higher concentrations. © 2000 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backward-angle meson electroproduction above the resonance region, which was previously ignored, is anticipated to offer unique access to the three quark plus sea component of the nucleon wave function. In this Letter, we present the first complete separation of the four electromagnetic structure functions above the resonance region in exclusive ω electroproduction off the proton, ep→e′pω, at central Q² values of 1.60, 2.45 GeV², at W=2.21 GeV. The results of our pioneering -u≈-umin study demonstrate the existence of a unanticipated backward-angle cross section peak and the feasibility of full L/T/LT/TT separations in this never explored kinematic territory. At Q²=2.45 GeV², the observed dominance of σT over σL, is qualitatively consistent with the collinear QCD description in the near-backward regime, in which the scattering amplitude factorizes into a hard subprocess amplitude and baryon to meson transition distribution amplitudes: universal nonperturbative objects only accessible through backward-angle kinematics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optimized model is established to improve the accuracy and efficiency of lifetime estimation for LED-based light bars. A Weibull function is used to fit test data of remaining luminance under two groups of accelerated stresses, and a method for determining the optimal test time is put forward. The results show that the optimized model for lifetime prediction best reflects the characteristic of luminance degradation. Furthermore, the error of the accelerated lifetime first decreases and then increases, finally decreasing again, which confirms that the method for determining the optimal test time is feasible given the level of accuracy required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backward angle (u-channel) scattering provides complementary information for studies of hadron spectroscopy and structure, but has been less comprehensively studied than the corresponding forward angle case. As a result, the physics of u-channel scattering poses a range of new experimental and theoretical opportunities and questions. We summarize recent progress in measuring and understanding high energy reactions with baryon charge exchange in the u-channel, as discussed in the first Backward angle (u-channel) Physics Workshop. In particular, we discuss backward angle measurements and their theoretical description via both hadronic models and the collinear factorization approach, and discuss planned future measurements of u-channel physics. Finally, we propose outstanding questions and challenges for u-channel physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to improve the estimation of soil-derived uranium absorption in humans. For this purpose, an in vitro solubility assay was combined with a human study by using a specific edible soil low in uranium. The mean bioaccessibility of the soil-derived uranium, determined by the solubility assay in artificial gastrointestinal fluid, was found to be 7.7% with a standard deviation of 0.2%. The corresponding bioavailability of the soil-derived uranium in humans was assumed to be log-normal distributed with a geometric mean of 0.04% and a 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.0049% to 0.34%. Both results were used to calculate a factor, denoted as fAsol, which describes the relation between the bioaccessibility and the bioavailability of soil-derived uranium. The geometric mean offAsol was determined to be 0.53% with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 0.06% to 4.43%. Based on fAsol, it is possible to estimate more realistic values on the bioavailability of uranium for highly uranium-contaminated soils in humans by just performing the applied solubility assay. The results of this study can be further used to obtain more reliable results on the internal dose assessment of ingested highly uranium-contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a systematic study of the photoionization of noble gas atoms exposed simultaneously to ultrashort (20 fs) monochromatic (1-2% spectral width) extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation from the Free-electron Laser in Hamburg (FLASH) and to intense synchronized near-infrared (NIR) laser pulses with intensities up to about 1013Wcm-2. Already at modest intensities of the NIR dressing field, the XUV-induced photoionization lines are split into a sequence of peaks due to the emission or absorption of several additional infrared photons. We observed a plateau-shaped envelope of the resulting sequence of sidebands that broadens with increasing intensity of the NIR dressing field. All individual lines of the nonlinear two-color ionization process are Stark-shifted, reflecting the effective intensity of the NIR field. The intensity-dependent cutoff energies of the sideband plateau are in good agreement with a classical model. The detailed structure of the two-color spectra, including the formation of individual sidebands, the Stark shifts and the contributions beyond the classical cut-off, however, requires a fully quantum mechanical description, as is demonstrated with time-dependent quantum calculations in single-active electron approximation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS) Working Group 7 is a network on internal dosimetry that brings together researchers from more than 60 institutions in 21 countries. The work of the group is organised into task groups that focus on different aspects, such as development and implementation of biokinetic models (e.g. for diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid decorporation therapy), individual monitoring and the dose assessment process, Monte Carlo simulations for internal dosimetry, uncertainties in internal dosimetry, and internal microdosimetry. Several intercomparison exercises and training courses have been organised. The IDEAS guidelines, which describe - based on the International Commission on Radiological Protection's (ICRP) biokinetic models and dose coefficients - a structured approach to the assessment of internal doses from monitoring data, are maintained and updated by the group. In addition, Technical Recommendations for Monitoring Individuals for Occupational Intakes of Radionuclides have been elaborated on behalf of the European Commission, DG-ENER (TECHREC Project, 2014-2016, coordinated by EURADOS). Quality assurance of the ICRP biokinetic models by calculation of retention and excretion functions for different scenarios has been performed and feedback was provided to ICRP. An uncertainty study of the recent caesium biokinetic model quantified the overall uncertainties, and identified the sensitive parameters of the model. A report with guidance on the application of ICRP biokinetic models and dose coefficients is being drafted at present. These and other examples of the group's activities, which complement the work of ICRP, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bundled lipped channel-concrete composite wall is an innovative structural wall. This wall has a series of advantages, such as convenient construction and high bearing capacity. Seven full-scaled specimens were tested and subjected to cyclic lateral loads. ABAQUS, which is a finite-element software, was used to simulate the test process. Hysteretic curves and skeleton curves were obtained. This process proved that the simulation effect of finite element was good. A parametric analysis was conducted on this composite shear wall to determine the effect of the wall under different parameters, such as the axial load ratio, the shear span ratio and the intensity of steel and concrete. The formula for the bending capacity of normal section was deduced. The failure mode and factors that affect the shear capacity of the composite shear wall at a low shear span ratio were analyzed to obtain the composition of the shear capacity. Based on the superposition theory and statistical regression, the formula for the shear capacity of the inclined section was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose We explored the patterns of sentinel node metastasis and investigated the prognostic value of sentinel node necrosis (SNN) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods This retrospective study enrolled 252 patients at our institution who had metastatic lymph nodes from biopsy-confirmed NPC and who were treated with definitive radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy. All participants underwent MRI before treatment, and the resulting images were reviewed to evaluate lymph node status. The patients were divided into SNN and NON-SNN groups. Overall survival (OS), tumour-free survival (TFS), regional relapse--free survival (RRFS), and distant metastasis--free survival (DMFS) were calculated by the Kaplan--Meier method, and differences were compared using the log-rank test. Factors predictive of outcome were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. Results Of the 252 patients, 189 (75%) had retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis, and 189 (75%) had level IIA or IIB lymph node necrosis. The incidence of SNN was 43.4% (91 of 210 patients with lymph node metastasis or necrosis, or both). After a median follow-up of 54 months, the 5-year rates of OS, TFS, RRFS, and DMFS in the SNN and NON-SNN groups were, respectively, 79.4% and 95.3%, 73.5% and 93.3%, 80.4% and 96.6%, and 75.5% and 95.3% (all p < 0.01). Age greater than 40 years, SNN, T stage, and N stage were significant independent negative prognostic factors for OS, TFS, RRFS, AND DMFS. Conclusions Metastatic retropharyngeal lymph nodes and necrotic level ii nodes both seem to act as sentinels. Sentinel node necrosis is an negative prognostic factor in patients with NPC. Patients with SNN have a worse prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report results on two-colour above-threshold ionisation, where extreme ultraviolet pulses of femtosecond duration were synchronised to intense infrared laser pulses of picosecond duration, in order to study the laser-assisted photoelectric effect of atomic helium, neon, krypton and xenon which leads to the appearance of characteristic sidebands in the photoelectron spectra. The observed trends are found to be well described by a simple model based on the soft-photon approximation, at least for the relatively low optical intensities of up toemployed in these early experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The prescribing of clozapine in China is common because of its outstanding efficacy and low price. There have been many cases of clozapine overdose in China. However, studies about the pharmacokinetics after overdose in the Chinese have rarely been reported. Population pharmacokinetics (PopPK) can analyze sparse data, and it is appropriate to compute clozapine pharmacokinetics after overdose. Methods: There were 47 clozapine overdose cases. We constructed a single-compartment first-order elimination PopPK model. We also considered some covariates that can influence the pharmacokinetics parameters. Results: 21 cases were included in the analysis. When the reported toxic dosage was 3 740 mg, the elimination rate constant of the population was 0.0258(h - 1). The elimination half-life was 26.9 h. The coefficient of random variation was 17 %. Discussion: PopPK can solve the problem of sparse data after overdose. The area under the concentration-time curve after clozapine overdose exhibited the "two peaks phenomenon." The reported toxic dosage could impact clozapine elimination after overdose. Delayed absorption of clozapine is the best explanation for this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly selective molecularly imprinted nanocomposites MIPRhB-PPy/TiO2 were successfully prepared by surface molecular imprinting technique with rhodamine B (RhB) as template molecule. The prepared MIPRhB-PPy/TiO2 coated with a thin imprinted layer could respond to visible light. The static and dynamic binding experiments revealed that MIPRhB-PPy/TiO2 possessed strong affinity, high adsorption capacity and fast adsorption rate for RhB. The selectivity experiments indicated that MIPRhB-PPy/TiO2 had excellent recognition selectivity for RhB. Selective photocatalytic degradation experiments indicated that the apparent rate constant (k) for the photodegradation of RhB over MIPRhB-PPy/TiO2 is 0.0158 min-1, being 3.6 times of that over non-imprinted nanocomposites NIP-PPy/TiO2 (0.0044 min-1). Compared with the NIP-PPy/TiO2, MIPRhB-PPy/TiO2 showed higher photocatalytic selectivity toward RhB under visible light, which was attributed the introduction of the imprinted cavities on the surface of MIPRhB-PPy/TiO2. Moreover, MIPRhB-PPy/TiO2 exhibited high reusability and stability. The results indicate that molecularly imprinted nanocomposites MIPRhB-PPy/TiO2 have a promising perspective in industrial wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical exercise could play a neuroprotective role in both human and animals. However, the involved signal pathways underlying the neuroprotective effect are still not well established. This study was to investigate the possible signal pathways involved in the neuroprotection of pre-ischemic treadmill training after ischemic stroke. Seventy-two SD rats were randomly assigned into three groups (n=24/group): sham surgery group, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) group and MCAO with exercise group. Following three weeks of treadmill training exercise, ischemic stroke was induced by occluding the middle cerebral artery (MCA) in rat for 2h, followed by reperfusion. Twenty-four hours after MCAO/reperfusion, 12 rats in each group were evaluated for neurological deficit scores and then sacrificed to measure the infarct volume (n=6) and cerebral edema (n=6). Six rats in each group were sacrificed to measure the expression level of glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1), protein kinase C-α (PKC-α), Akt, and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) (n=6). Two hundred and eighty minutes (4.67h) after occlusion, six rats in each group were decapitated to detect the mRNA expression level of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor subunit type 2B (NR2B) (n=6).The results demonstrated that pre-ischemic treadmill training exercise reduced brain infarct volume, cerebral edema and neurological deficits, also decreased the over expression of PKC-α and increased the expression level of GLT-1, Akt and PI3K after ischemic stroke (p<0.05). The over-expression of mGluR5 and NR2B mRNA was also inhibited by pre-ischemic exercise (p<0.05). In summary, exercise preconditioning ameliorated brain damage after ischemic stroke, which might be involved in two signal pathways: PKC-α-GLT-1-Glutamate and PI3K/Akt-GLT-1-Glutamate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Physical exercise decreased neuron damages in ischemic stroke. [•] Physical exercise ameliorated astrocyte dysfunction in ischemic stroke. [•] Physical exercise improved the function of pericytes in ischemic stroke. [•] Physical exercise alleviated extracellular matrix dysfunction in ischemic stroke. [•] Physical exercise strengthened cerebral blood vessels in ischemic stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic force microscopy (AFM), field-emission scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy are used to study morphological and compositional variations of metal-organic interfaces in organic bistable devices. The results show that bias voltage causes rougher interfaces with new protrusions, and the switching phenomena origins from the evolution of these protrusions under external electric field. In order to exclude other possible factors, three types of bistable devices are designed and examined. In addition, metal-coated AFM probes are utilized to simulate the switching process, which yields similar results and corroborates our conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paroxysmal dyskinesias ( PDs) are a group of episodic movement disorders with marked variability in clinical manifestation and potential association with epilepsy. PRRT2 has been identified as a causative gene for PDs, but the phenotypes and inheritance patterns of PRRT2 mutations need further clarification. In this study, 10 familial and 21 sporadic cases with PDs and PDs-related phenotypes were collected. Genomic DNA was screened for PRRT2 mutations by direct sequencing. Seven PRRT2 mutations were identified in nine (90.0%) familial cases and in six (28.6%) sporadic cases. Five mutations are novel: two missense mutations (c. 647C>G/p. Pro216Arg and c. 872C>T/p. Ala291Val) and three truncating mutations (c. 117delA/p. Val41TyrfsX49, c. 510dupT/p. Leu171SerfsX3 and c. 579dupA/p. Glu194 ArgfsX6). Autosomal dominant inheritance with incomplete penetrance was observed in most of the familial cases. In the sporadic cases, inheritance was heterogeneous including recessive inheritance with compound heterozygous mutations, inherited mutations with incomplete parental penetrance and de novo mutation. Variant phenotypes associated with PRRT2 mutations, found in 36.0% of the affected cases, included febrile convulsions, epilepsy, infantile non-convulsive seizures ( INCS) and nocturnal convulsions ( NC). All patients with INCS or NC, not reported previously, displayed abnormalities on electroencephalogram ( EEG). No EEG abnormalities were recorded in patients with classical infantile convulsions and paroxysmal choreoathetosis ( ICCA)/paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia ( PKD). Our study further confirms that PRRT2 mutations are the most common cause of familial PDs, displaying both dominant and recessive inheritance. Epilepsy may occasionally occur in ICCA/ PKD patients with PRRT2 mutations. Variant phenotypes INCS or NC differ from classical ICCA/ PKD clinically and electroencephalographically. They have some similarities with, but not identical to epilepsy, possibly represent an overlap between ICCA/ PKD and epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of an intense optical laser on the electronic relaxation of the 3d-5p resonance in atomic Kr has been studied experimentally and theoretically. The resonance profile undergoes a strong modification, observed as a shift and a broadening of the excitation spectrum, as a function of the optical intensity. The theoretical treatment of the process demonstrates the importance of strongly time-dependent dynamics as the origin of the observed phenomena resulting in the ponderomotive shift of the resonance position as well as a competition between resonant and normal Auger decay. The ionization of the excited 5p electron by the optical laser provides the possibility to change the ratio between singly and doubly charged final states by controlling the relaxation of the resonant core hole state via resonant or normal Auger decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which aims to develop aptamer-fluorescence in situ hybridization to detect Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa. The specificity of the aptamer probe was tested against P. aeruginosa and other gram-negative and enrichment of selection pools was monitored by flow cytometric analysis in the study. Results reveal that P. aeruginosa binding aptamers with good binding affinity were enriched based on the gradual increase of the fluorescence intensity on P. aeruginosa.

With 3 figures and 5 tables In this study, we extended in silico mapping for single trait to analyse data from multiple environments by calculating intraclass correlations and to mapping pleiotropic QTL for multiple traits by defining new statistic to measure the correlation between multiple traits and the marker. Data sets include phenotypes of eight agronomic traits obtained from six different ecologic environments and years, and genotypic information from 477 polymorphic markers on 14 ancestral lines in the pedigree of ‘Suinong14’. With in silico mapping, a total of 39 markers distributed on 14 linkage groups are detected as QTL responsible for eight agronomic traits and 10 QTL are identified as having pleiotropic effects. Tracing transmission of functional QTL in the pedigree indicated that certain QTL, such as Sat_036 on linkage group D1a, Satt182 on linkage group L, and Satt726 on linkage group B2 may be responsible for the contribution of exotic germplasm to the improved cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a general method for the complete analysis of the recoil frame photoelectron angular distribution (RFPAD) in n-photon dissociative ionization of small polyatomic molecules, resulting from (n − 1) bound-to-bound transitions plus one-photon ionization of a neutral excited state of the target. This method relies on the decomposition of the RFPAD in terms of the recoil frame azimuthal harmonics (RFAHs) which are the components of its Fourier expansion in ϕe, where χ and θe are the polar angles referring to the polarization axis P and the photoelectron momentum k relative to the ion fragment recoil direction, respectively, and ϕe is the azimuth of k relative to P. The RFAH expansion method is illustrated by a detailed experimental and theoretical study of one-colour multiphoton dissociative and non-dissociative ionization of the NO2 molecule of C2v symmetry induced by 400 nm fs laser pulses, which involve electronic and nuclear dynamics within the pulse duration of the order of 70 fs. The reaction mechanism proposed to account for five-photon dissociative ionization of NO2 involves the role of [R*(6a1)−1] Rydberg states populated by three-photon absorption, subsequently ionized by a fourth photon into the NO2+ (X1Σg+, v1,v2,v3) manifold involving autoionization of [R*(4b2)−1] Rydberg states, and linear versus bent geometry selective dissociation of NO2+ (X1Σg+, v1,v2,v3) by a fifth photon. The reported calculations provide a coherent picture of the experimental findings although all features are not yet well reproduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to machine and measure nanostructures on the micro ball surface, a modified atomic force microscope (AFM) combining a commercial AFM system with a home built precision air bearing spindle is established. Based on this system, motions of both the AFM scanner and the air bearing spindle are controlled to machine nanostructures on the micro ball based on the AFM tip-based nano mechanical machining approach. The eccentric error between the axis of the micro ball and the axis of the spindle is reduced to 3-4 μm by the provided fine adjusting method. A 1000 nano lines array, 36 square pits structure, 10 square pits structure, and a zig-zag structure on the circumference of the micro ball with the diameter of 1.5 mm are machined successfully. The measurement results achieved by the same system reveal that the profiles and mode-power spectra curves of the micro ball are influenced by the artificially machined nanostructures significantly according to their distributions. This work is an useful attempt for modifying the micro ball profile and manufacture of the spherical modulation targets to study the experimental performance of the micro ball in implosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]