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To investigate the feasibility of a radiomics nomogram model for predicting malignant transformation in sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) based on radiomic signature and clinical risk factors. This single institutional retrospective review included a total of 143 patients with IP and 75 patients with IP with malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma (IP-SCC). All patients underwent surgical pathology and had preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) sinus studies between June 2014 and February 2022. Radiomics features were extracted from contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (CE-T1WI), T2-weighted images (T2WI), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were performed to select the features extracted from the sequences mentioned above. Independent clinical risk factors were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Radiomics nomogram was constructed by incorporating independent clinical risk factors and radiomics signature. Based on discrimination and calibration, the diagnostic performance of the nomogram was evaluated. Twelve radiomics features were selected to develop the radiomics model with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.987 and 0.989, respectively. Epistaxis (p= 0.011), T2 equal signal (p= 0.003), extranasal invasion (p< 0.001), and loss of convoluted cerebriform pattern (p= 0.002) were identified as independent clinical predictors. The radiomics nomogram model showed excellent calibration and discrimination (AUC: 0.993, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.985–1.00 and 0.990, 95% CI: 0.974–1.00) in the training and validation sets, respectively. The nomogram that the combined radiomics signature and clinical risk factors showed a satisfactory ability to predict IP-SCC. • Radiomics can accurately differentiate IP-SCC from IP. • A nomogram based on radiomics was developed to predict IP-SCC. • Radiomics nomogram model was superior to the clinical model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To analyse the natural course of infants with otitis media with effusion who failed universal newborn hearing screening and to explore the appropriate observation period. Methods: This retrospective cohort analysis included infants with otitis media with effusion who failed universal newborn hearing screening every 3 months for 12 months. Results: The average recovery time of the 155 infants was 7.08 ± 0.32 months after diagnosis. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that frequent reflux, maxillofacial deformities and initial hearing status were independent factors affecting recovery. Moreover, the cumulative recovery of most infants with mild hearing loss and infants with moderate hearing loss accompanied by frequent reflux was significantly higher at six months after diagnosis than at three months. Conclusion: For most infants with mild hearing loss, as well as those with moderate hearing loss accompanied by frequent reflux, the observation period can be extended to six months after diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to climate change, extreme high temperature weather is occurred frequently, which may cause a serious decline in crop yield. The growth status of maize seedlings directly affects the formation of later yield. However, there are insufficient understanding and studies on the maize seedling growth and physiological characteristics of leaves under high temperature stress at present. Hence, this experiment was designed to investigate the effects of heat stress on the plant biomass, photosynthetic characteristics, antioxidant enzyme activities and osmotic adjustment substances in the two maize varieties (heat-resistant variety ZD958 and heat-sensitive variety HSV20), with its clear the response mechanism of heat stress to the physiological metabolism changes at seedling stage. The results showed that the plant height increased, while the photosynthetic green leaf area, dry matter accumulation, root surface area and total root length significantly decreased under heat stress. High temperature treatment reduced the Pn, Gs, Tr, Fv/Fm, Fv/F0, qP and SPAD, and increased the Ci and NPQ. As heat stress time increased, the antioxidant enzyme activities first increased and then decreased, while the MDA content continued to increase. Additionally, the free proline content first increased and then decreased. Comparatively, we revealed that ZD958 has stronger antioxidant enzyme activities and osmotic regulation abilities, stable chlorophyll content, higher photosynthetic rate and maximal photochemical efficiency under heat stress, which may be the reasons why the root and shoot growth of seedlings has slighter changes and greater adaptability to heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The state-resolved capture cross sections for principal n and orbital angular momentum l play an important role in modeling soft X-ray emissions induced by charge exchange for many astrophysical environments. However, the empirical and semiclassical theories used to produce these data of n - and l -resolved state-selective capture have not been well tested. Using the cold target recoil ion momentum spectroscopy apparatus at Fudan University, we perform a series of measurements of Ar8+ ion charge exchange with He in the collision energy range from 1.4 to 20 keV uâˆ'1. We find that electrons are mainly captured in the n = 4 state of Ar7+ ions. This agrees with the prediction of the scaling law for n capture. Moreover, the relative cross sections are reported for 4 s-, 4 p-, 4 d-, and 4 f -resolved state-selective capture. The often used analytical l distributions in the astrophysical literature are evaluated by comparing to the measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to investigate low temperature magnetic dielectric behavior of CuFe1−xMnxO2 (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05). We also discussed the influence of different Mn3+-doped concentrations and analyzed the origin of magnetic dielectric coupling effect in CuFeO2. The obvious variation of dielectric constant with different magnetic fields and temperatures was observed. The critical magnetic fields and critical temperatures, where dielectric constant changed obviously, were closely related to ion-doped concentration. In the ferroelectric incommensurate (FEIC) phase, the dopant enhanced electric polarization by regulating magnetic order. Electric polarization was modified by external magnetic fields, which shows strong magnetoelectric coupling. Based on the special spin-frustrated configuration of the "Fe3+(Mn3+) scalene triangular" in CuFe1−xMnxO2 and the magnetostriction effect, a possible mechanism for the observed dielectric behavior was assumed. In the mechanism, the amplitudes, directions of oxygen ion shift, were mediated by both the applied magnetic field and Mn3+-doping level. Furthermore, the experimental results show that dielectric behavior of CuFe1−xMnxO2 has a close relationship with magnetic structure and geometry frustrated, which may open up a new vista for studies of magnetoelectric materials. Based on the experimental results, the effects of Mn3+ doped on magnetic dielectric and possible mechanism diagrams were assumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) increase the risk of metabolic abnormalities. However, the metabolic status of children suffering from NAFLD and exhibiting various subtypes of obesity is currently unclear. We aimed to explore the association between NAFLD and metabolic abnormalities in children with different weight statuses. We included 6086 participants aged 6–18 years from the China Child and Adolescent NAFLD Study (CCANS), all of whom had undergone ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging-proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF) to identify NAFLD and metabolic abnormalities, including hyperglycemia, high triglycerides (TG), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high total cholesterol, and hyperuricemia. Among the participants, there were 2408 children with obesity and NAFLD, 174 with NAFLD, 2396 with obesity, and 1108 without obesity and NAFLD. The odds ratios (ORs) of suffering from individual metabolic abnormalities were significantly greater in children with obesity and NAFLD than in children without obesity and NAFLD, with ORs ranging from 6.23 (95% CI: 4.56, 8.53) to 1.77 (95% CI: 1.06, 2.94). The ORs of metabolic abnormalities, except for low HDL-C, were greater in children with NAFLD alone than in children without obesity or NAFLD, with ORs ranging from 4.36 (95% CI: 2.77, 6.84) to 2.08 (95% CI: 1.14, 3.78). Notably, obesity and NAFLD had a multiplicative effect on overall metabolic abnormalities, high TG levels, and low HDL-C levels. Children with obesity and NAFLD could be at a significantly increased risk of metabolic abnormalities. Even for children without obesity, NAFLD appears to be associated with an increased risk of experiencing a worsened metabolic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase separation and dendritic growth characteristics of undercooled liquid Fe62.5Cu27.5Sn10 alloy have been investigated by glass fluxing and drop tube techniques. Three critical bulk undercoolings of microstructure evolution are experimentally determined as 7, 65, and 142 K. Equilibrium peritectic solidification proceeds in the small undercooling regime below 7K. Metastable liquid phase separation takes place if bulk undercooling increases above 65 K. Remarkable macroscopic phase separation is induced providing that bulk undercooling overtakes the third threshold of 142 K. With the continuous increase of bulk undercooling, the solidified microstructure initially appears as well-branched dendrites, then displays microscale segregation morphology, and finally evolves into macrosegregation patterns. If alloy undercooling is smaller than 142 K, the dendritic growth velocity of γFe phase varies with undercooling according to a power function relationship. Once bulk undercooling exceeds 142 K, its dendritic growth velocity increases exponentially with undercooling, which reaches 30.4 m/s at the maximum undercooling of 360K (0.21TL). As a comparative study, the liquid phase separation of Fe62.5Cu27.5Sn10 alloy droplets is also explored under the free fall condition. Theoretical calculations reveal that the thermal and solutal Marangoni migrations are the dynamic mechanisms responsible for the development of core-shell structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin is a multifunctional organ but, alongside every other organ system, is subject to both intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Whilst both ageing processes are associated with phenotypic changes in cutaneous cells, the major functional manifestations of ageing occur as a consequence of structural and compositional remodeling of normally long-lived dermal extracellular matrix proteins, flattened dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ), and weaker epidermal function. Many researchers revealed that dermal fibroblast which mainly synthesis the collagen and elastin in dermis, while the epidermal keratinocyte and DEJ are lesser described, especially for peptides. A new palmitoyl oligopeptide complex PTC, which consists of hydrolyzed collagen and oligopeptide, was identified in both keratinocyte and fibroblast, and finally verified in human skin. All data suggest PTC had a 3D theory against skin aging: from epidermal keratinocyte to dermal fibroblast, especially containing the structural proteins of DEJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin is a multifunctional organ but, alongside every other organ system, is subject to both intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Whilst both ageing processes are associated with phenotypic changes in cutaneous cells, the major functional manifestations of ageing occur as a consequence of structural and compositional remodeling of normally long-lived dermal extracellular matrix proteins, flattened dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ), and weaker epidermal function. Many researchers revealed that dermal fibroblast which mainly synthesis the collagen and elastin in dermis, while the epidermal keratinocyte and DEJ are lesser described, especially for peptides. A new palmitoyl oligopeptide complex PTC, which consists of hydrolyzed collagen and oligopeptide, was identified in both keratinocyte and fibroblast, and finally verified in human skin. All data suggest PTC had a 3D theory against skin aging: from epidermal keratinocyte to dermal fibroblast, especially containing the structural proteins of DEJ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment investigated the effects of different degrees of warming of the root zone on the antioxidant enzyme activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and photosynthetic physiological parameters of maize (Zea mays L.) seedling roots. Different genotypes of maize types SD609 (Stay-green Maize type) and SD902 (senescent type) were used as test materials in the test and the test set three root zone temperatures (24, 30, and 36°С). The results showed that properly increasing the root zone temperature could significantly promote the growth of maize seedlings, increase the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and actual photochemical efficiency (ΦPS) electron transfer rate (ETR), photochemical quenching coefficient (qP), increase leaf photosynthesis and transpiration rate. However, when the root zone temperature was too high, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) in the roots of maize seedlings would be significantly reduced, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) would be increased. This lead to excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen, which affects the functions of root system absorption, synthesis, transportation, etc., leading to reduced leaf enzyme activity, damaged to the PSII reaction center, and reduced photosynthetic rate. Among them, the Stay-green Maize type SD609 had a significantly smaller change than the aging type SD902. Under high temperature stress in the root zone, the relatively high antioxidant enzyme activity, better stability of the PSII reaction center, and photoprotection mechanisms of SD609 were the physiological basis for maintaining a stable photosynthetic rate and resisting high temperature in the root zone. PSII reaction center damage and relatively low non-photochemical quenching coefficient may be an important factor for non-stomatal limitation of SD902. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For addressing the present challenges in tandem catalysts, an artificial reactor capable of self-controlled tandem catalytic-ability was reported in this study. Inspired from the polymeric properties and divisional isolation for tandem processes in natural biological systems, this reactor was fabricated with polymeric bilayer architectures. The first layer was made of a reactive shape memory polymer that contained thermosensitive polymeric networks, acting as a molecular switch for the occurrence of the precedent hydrolysis of bis(4-nitrophenyl)carbonate. The second layer consisted of a molecularly-imprinted polymer and encapsulated Ag nanoparticles, allowing access to the succeeding reduction of the intermediate 4-nitrophenol. In a cooperative way, the polymeric bilayer architectures planted in this artificial reactor led to the formation of self-controlled tandem catalytic-ability. The suggested design for this artificial reactor shares a promising prospect with the struggling tandem catalysts, which leads to opportunities to develop controllable tandem processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivated by the multiferroic effects and quantum magnetization plateaus in the skew chain antiferromagnets T 2 V 2 O 7 (T = Ni, Co), we have conducted a detailed density function theoretical study on Co 2 V 2 O 7. The results show that the nearest-neighbor interchain interaction (J 3 / k B = − 35.57 K) is not much greater than the intrachain interactions (J 1 / k B = − 19.54 K and J 2 / k B = 27.55 K), showing the absence of interchain dimerization of the Co ions. This indicates that the "dimer+monomer" model used for Ni 2 V 2 O 7 [Cao et al., Phys. Rev. B 106, 184409 (2022)] is no longer applicable to Co 2 V 2 O 7. Finally, the exact diagonalization of spin Hamiltonian, including anisotropic exchanges, produces the experimentally observed 1/2 and 3/4 magnetization plateaus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have performed magnetization measurements of Gd5Ge4 with little or no ferromagnetic (FM) impurities under a pulsed magnetic field up to 40 T. The results reveal previously undetected transitions between 85 and 105 K, that is, a distinct second-order antiferromagnetic (AFM)-paramagnetic (PM) transition, followed by a first-order PM-ferromagnetic (FM) transition. The distinct variation of the slope of the M(H) curves is observed around the AFM-PM transition. Combining our high-field data and those reported earlier, a new magnetic field-temperature phase diagram, in which the AFM, PM, and FM states are well separated, is constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unusual magnetization process has been observed in Gd5Ge4 prepared with commercial Gd of 99.9 wt %. First, the zero-field-cooled M(H) curves below 25 K contain a significant low-field ferromagnetic (FM) component followed by an unusually broadened field-induced antiferromagnetic (AFM)-FM transition, which was not observed in previous reports no matter if the sample owns a residual FM component or not. Second, the M(H) curves at 4.2 K collected using pulsed magnetic fields reveal some unusual dynamics on the low-field FM state and the following AFM-FM transition. Thus, the present sample of Gd5Ge4 is a new example showing complexity of the influence from impurities of Gd upon the magnetization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly effective nicotine-degrading bacterial strain 1206 was isolated and identified as Pseudomonasfluorescens according to its morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. Strain P.fluorescens 1206 could utilize nicotine as the sole carbon and nitrogen source and degrade nicotine while growing in Luria-Bertani medium. This bacterium was able to remove about 33.8, 82.5 and 97.1% of nicotine with initial concentration of 1 g/L after 8, 16 and 24 h of incubation, respectively. This is the first report on the isolation and characterization of a strain of P. fluorescens with high-degrading nicotine ability. This finding may open the way to new biotechnological application of P. fluorescens to degradation of nicotine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Mild hypothermia reduces the damage caused by hypoxia and oxidative stress, but how this happens is not very clear. Mice were anesthetized and their core body temperature was maintained at 38 ± 0.5°C and 32 ± 0.5°C. The renal artery and renal veins were blocked for 35 minutes and reperfusion was performed. Twenty-four hours later, serum was obtained to detect the concentrations of creatinine. The expression of CIRP, TRX, Bcl-2, and Bax were detected in tissue samples using Western blot. Apoptosis was measured using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling and the apoptosis rates were calculated. SOD and MDA were detected to determine the extent of oxidative damage in different groups. The concentration of creatinine in the NC group was 2.11 ± 0.39 mg/dL. Compared to the IR group, the concentration of creatinine decreased in MH+IR group and showed a significant statistical difference (8.74 ± 1.38 mg/dL vs 15.36 ± 2.13 mg/dL, P <.01); the apoptosis rate also decreased with statistical significance (15.02 ± 1.45% vs 37.02 ± 5.70%, P <.01). Compared to the IR group, the expression of CIRP, TRX, and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio significantly increased in the MH+IR group. The SOD activity in the MH+IR group increased (26.90 ± 4.41 U/mgprot vs 16.85 ± 2.41 U/mgprot, P <.05) and the MDA level decreased (0.76 ± 0.18 nmol/mgprot vs 1.37 ± 0.32 nmol/mgprot, P <.05) compared to those of the IR group. Mild hypothermia protects mice kidneys from ischemia-reperfusion damage by reducing oxidative stress injury and apoptosis. Highlights • Mild hypothermia was used to protect against kidney IR injury in this study. • Mild hypothermia could reduce functional and morphologic changes in IR kidneys. • Mild hypothermia could alleviate apoptosis and oxidative stress injury in IR kidneys. • CIRP and TRX played an important role in the protective effects of mild hypothermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on fine particles of ferrimagnetic MgFe[sub2]O[sub4] which were synthesized through a sol-gel supercritical drying procedure. Sample preparation; Data on the hyperfine parameters and cation distribution; Magnetic relaxation and particle size.

The performance of Halbach magnetized brushless motors equipped with air-cored and iron-cored rotors is investigated theoretically and experimentally. It is shown that an optimal combination of magnet thickness and pole number exists for maximum air-gap flux density. By employing a rotor back iron, the air-gap field and hence the output torque can be enhanced significantly if the ratio of the radial thickness of the magnet to the pole pitch is small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We searched for the γ-ray signal from M33, one of the largest galaxies in the Local Group, using the Pass8 data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). No statistically significant γ-ray emission has been detected in the direction of M33, and we report a new upper limit of the high-energy (>100 MeV) photon flux of 2.3 × 10-9 ph cm-2 s-1, which is stricter than previous constraints and implies a cosmic ray density for M33 that is lower than that suggested previously. The current limit is still, however, in agreement with the correlation of star formation rate and γ-ray luminosity inferred from the Local group galaxies and a few nearby starburst galaxies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The active control of microstructure evolution is still a challenging factor for the development of advanced immiscible alloys. Here, we make an attempt to modulate the solidification pathways of undercooled CuFeSn alloy by glass fluxing and drop tube techniques. Through regulating the liquid undercooling, three types of microstructures, dendrite, dispersive structure and macrosegregation pattern, were formed under the normal gravity condition. Below the first critical undercooling of 15 K, the alloy melt displayed the normal peritectic solidification. At moderate undercoolings above 15 K, the metastable liquid phase separation took place and the solidified microstructure appeared as homogeneously dispersed structure. If undercooling further overtook the second threshold of 107 K, macrosegregation occurred and the bulk alloy separated into an Fe-rich zone and a Cu-rich zone. Under the free fall condition, the alloy droplets with the droplet diameter beyond 805 μm showed the equilibrium peritectic solidification. If the droplet diameter decreased below 805 μm, the metastable liquid phase separation was induced and the microstructural morphology of CuFeSn alloy droplet evolved from dendrite into dispersive structure. Furthermore, experimental and simulated results revealed that the temperature gradient had great influence on the size distribution of Fe-rich globules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial ischaemia reperfusion injury is the leading cause of death in patients with cardiovascular disease. Interventions such as ischaemic pre and postconditioning protect against myocardial ischaemia reperfusion injury. Certain anaesthesia drugs and opioids can produce the same effects, which led to an initial flurry of excitement given the extensive use of these drugs in surgery. The underlying mechanisms have since been extensively studied in experimental animal models but attempts to translate these findings to clinical settings have resulted in contradictory results. There are a number of reasons for this such as dose response, the intensity of the ischaemic stimulus applied, the duration of ischaemia and lost or diminished cardioprotection in common co-morbidities such as diabetes and senescence. This review focuses on current knowledge regarding myocardial ischaemia reperfusion injury and cardioprotective interventions both in experimental animal studies and in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Micro RNAs (mi RNAs) are known to be involved in normal brain functions and nervous system diseases. Some evidence have pointed to the dysregulation of mi RNAs in congenital intestinal atresia. In this study, we investigated the differential expression of mi RNAs and the posttranscriptional regulation of glial-derived neurotrophic factor ( GDNF) by endogenous mi RNA in congenital intestinal atresia. Methods Quantitative real-time PCR and a Western blot were performed to determine the regulation of mi RNA and GDNF in patients with congenital intestinal atresia. The results were verified in rat model of intestinal atresia and bone marrow derived stem cell BMSCs-derived into intestinal ganglion cells. The effects of mi RNA and GDNF on the cell proliferation and apoptosis of isolated intestinal ganglion cells were detected with an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium ( MTT) assay and a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, respectively. Key Results Only miR-211 was greatly up-regulated in the patients with congenital intestinal atresia. The other mi RNAs examined showed no change. Overexpression of miR-211 suppressed the differentiation of BMSCs into intestinal ganglion cells. In retinal ganglion cells ( RGC-5 cells), miR-211 regulated the expression of GDNF. The MTT and TUNEL assays revealed that miR-211 overexpression suppressed the cell proliferation of isolated intestinal ganglion cells and that GDNF overexpression reversed the effect of pre-miR-211 on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Conclusions & Inferences Our results indicate that overexpression of miR-211 suppresses the differentiation of BMSCs into intestinal ganglion cells by directly down-regulating the expression of GDNF. The findings elucidate the role of mi RNA in congenital intestinal atresia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan derivatives organic montmorillonite first prepared by stepwise assembly method, then which be used to prepare quaternised carboxymethyl chitosan of organic modified montmorillonite silver (QCOM-Ag) by complex impregnation; finally using X-ray diffraction analysis, SEM to characterise the structure and morphology of samples; antimicrobial properties of multiple samples tested by filter paper method and multiple dilution method. The results showed the synthesis of silver carboxymethyl chitosan quaternary complex solution intercalation by its intercalation into cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide organic modified montmorillonite layer, and the layer spacing of up to 0·998 nm. With the mass ratios of quaternised carboxymethyl chitosan to organic montmorillonite increased from 1:1 to 8:1 in QCOM nanocomposites, the results also showed that the characterisation of chitosan after the silver surface is rough, there is little particulate matter evenly dispersed in the surface thereof. SEM micrographs showed that Ag NP was mainly spherical, and few had square or bar form. Compared with carboxymethyl groups, quaternary ammonium groups are more beneficial to prepare Ag NP, and silver has been loaded onto QCOM. Inhibition experiments showed that this bacteriostatic ring-controlled, sustained intermediate Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus has a good antibacterial effect; minimal inhibitory concentration of QCOM-11-Ag antibacterial liquid for B. subtilis obtained by multiple experiments was 200 μg mL−1. The antibacterial effect of QCOM-11-Ag on B. subtilis is more obvious, yet minimal inhibitory concentrations of S. aureus and E. coli are 500 and 250 µg mL−1, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a kind of support structure for inflatable deployable reflector. The surface accuracy, which is crucially important to the performance of the reflector, is maintained by support ribs stretched by the tension system. To obtain sufficient surface accuracy, a reverse design algorithm is proposed to design the initial lower-edge shape of the support rib, which is verified by the current experiment. Also, the morphing characteristics of the support rib under different tensions are tested using the Vic-3D whole strain testing system. From the results of the experiments and simulations, some effective control strategies are presented to resist the local buckles of rib. The main approach is to introduce some transverse constraints that are perpendicular to the rib at the local buckling positions. Finally, by comparison between different strategies, an effective control strategy is confirmed to improve the structure accuracy and stability. The results are of great benefit to the design and shape control of inflatable antenna reflectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LaSrMnO (LSMO) films were grown on 0.7 wt% Nb-doped SrTiO (NSTO) single-crystal substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The crystal phase structure and surface morphology of the LSMO films were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction method and atomic force microscopy, respectively. The diode-like behavior was observed in the leakage currents of the LSMO/NSTO heterojunction, by which I- V curves were measured at room temperature. The leakage current of LSMO/NSTO heterojunction follows the space-charge-limited conduction (SCLC) model under lower forward bias. As the forward bias increases, the barrier at the LSMO/NSTO interface becomes narrower and lower, which allows electrons to go over/through the interface barrier by the conduction mechanisms of Schottky emission and interface-limited Fowler-Nordheim tunneling, respectively. Under the same backward bias, the leakage current still undergoes the Ohmic law region according to the SCLC model, which is due to the drift currents of holes in the LSMO films and electrons in the NSTO substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The probiotic Arthrobacter sp. CW9 isolated from guts of white shrimp ( Penaeus vannamei) was used to improve the survival rate, growth rate and immune status of white shrimp ( P. vannamei). Arthrobacter sp. CW9 was added to the saline rearing water at 0, 105, 106 and 107 CFU ml−1 once every 5 days during the 24-day breeding experiment. The probiotic group had significantly higher survival rates, mean shrimp weights, phenoloxidase activity, phagocytic activity and clearance efficiency compared with the control group ( P < 0·05). Therefore, Arthrobacter sp. CW9 has both probiotic and immunostimulatory properties. Significance and Impact of the Study This study demonstrates that Arthrobacter sp. CW9 has both probiotic and immunostimulatory properties. Such new strain therefore represents an alternative to the use of white shrimp ( Penaeus vannamei) culture. New bacterial having both probiotic and immunostimulatory properties are the major novelty of this study. The results are of industrial relevance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The galvanic corrosion behaviors of NiC filled conductive silicon rubber (CSR) with different resistivity coupled to magnesium alloys were investigated in 3.5% sodium chloride solution at different temperatures. Such investigations were carried out by means of electrochemical measurement, weight-loss determination, and surface characterization. The results indicated that the changes of CSRs' resistivity and the temperature of the electrolyte would affect the Tafel slope, cathodic corrosion current, and linear polarization resistance of the cathodic branch of the polarization curve. The lower the resistivity, the larger the average galvanic corrosion current density and the average galvanic corrosion rate of Mg alloys at the same temperature. The corrosion morphology revealed that the greater the corrosion current density, the more serious the corrosion on the surface of Mg alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: One of the important failure criteria of press operations in industry for forming simulations is the Forming Limit Diagram (FLD). The complex loading effects on FLD, in particular the localized necking phenomenon under stretch-bending condition, have not been fully investigated and well understood. In practical sheet metal applications, the deformation is invariably three dimensional with a combination of stretching and bending. For most sheet materials under these complex loading processes used in industry, strong Bauschinger effect is observed, and the material hardening behavior tends to be anisotropic. This study aims to understand and evaluate such anisotropic hardening effect on the forming limit prediction under stretch-bending condition. The extended through-thickness Marciniak–Kuczynski (M–K) analysis is incorporated with Yoshida–Uemori (YU) two-surface kinematic hardening constitutive model, which has a more accurate description of the reverse loading behavior than that of the conventional isotropic hardening model. The material parameters used in this paper for YU model are calibrated with the experimental data from uniaxial large-strain tension-compression cyclic test. Both the isotropic hardening and YU kinematic hardening models with Hill'48 yield surface are employed in the analysis for the purpose of comparison. The Forming Limit Average Stress Diagram (FLASD) under stretch-bending condition is proposed to extend the understanding of Forming Limit Stress Diagram (FLSD) from in-plane to out-of-plane deformations. The “bending-ratio-dependent” phenomenon in forming limit diagram is predicted and observed in both stress/strain space with the proposed method. It suggests that the individual stress/strain state cannot represent system behavior. Forming limits under stretch-bending is suggested as an occurrence of system instability, not individual material instability. The system behavior of sheet metal deformation is reinforced as critical to the understanding of necking instability in stretch bending processes. The analysis shows that the Bauschinger effect provides positive effect in delaying the necking instability, predicting higher formability for sheet metals under stretch-bending. The insight obtained in this paper provides further understanding of the localized necking phenomenon under stretch-bending condition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] For the first time, smilagenin was shown to improve motor behavior in aged rats. [•] Administration of smilagenin resulted in a significant dopaminergic neuroprotection. [•] Smilagenin elevated GDNF levels in both the striatum and midbrain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the forming limit diagram (FLD) was introduced by Keeler, etc., five decades ago, it has been intensively studied by researchers and engineers. Most work has focused on the in-plane deformation which is considered as the dominant mode of the majority forming processes. However the effect of out-of-plane deformation becomes important in the accurate prediction of formability when thick sheet metals and/or smaller forming radii are encountered. Recent research on the stretch-bending induced FLD (BFLD) has been inconclusive. Some studies indicated that the bending effect will enhance a sheet metal's formability while others suggested otherwise. In this paper, we present an in-depth study of the through-thickness bending effect on the forming limits. The Marciniak-Kuczynski (M-K) analysis is extended to include bending, and models based on both flow theory and deformation theory of plasticity are proposed. The study is limited to the right-handside of FLD where the bending is along the major stretch direction. The radial return method is adopted as the framework to integrate constitutive equations. The results show that the bending process decreases the sheet metal formability with the flow-theory based model, while the opposite is true if the deformation theory based analysis is adopted. A detailed examination of the deformation histories from those two models reveals that the loading-unloading-reverse loading process during stretch-bending holds the key to the understanding of the conflicting results. The insight gained from the proposed FLD prediction model in this paper provides a new understanding of how the bending process affects the FLD, which can be used to predict and explain the localized necking phenomenon under the stretch-bending condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forming limit diagrams (FLD) have been widely used as a powerful tool for predicting sheet metal forming failure in the industry. The common assumption for forming limits is that the deformation is limited to in-plane loading and through-thickness bending effects are negligible. In practical sheet metal applications, however, a sheet metal blank normally undergoes a combination of stretching, bending, and unbending, so the deformation is invariably three-dimensional. To understand the localized necking phenomenon under this condition, a new extended Marciniak-Kuczynski (M-K) model is proposed in this paper, which combines the FLD theoretical model with finite element analysis to predict the forming limits after a sheet metal undergoes under continuous-bending-under-tension (CBT) loading. In this hybrid approach, a finite element model is constructed to simulate the CBT process. The deformation variables after the sheet metal reaches steady state are then extracted from the simulation. They are carried over as the initial condition of the extended M-K analysis for forming limit predictions. The obtained results from proposed model are compared with experimental data from Yoshida et al. (2005, "Fracture Limits of Sheet Metals Under Stretch Bending," Int. J. Mech. Sci., 47(12), pp. 1885-1986) under plane strain deformation mode and the Hutchinson and Neale's (1978(a), "Sheet Necking--II: Time-Independent Behavior," Mech. Sheet Metal Forming, pp. 127-150) M-K model under in-plane deformation assumption. Several cases are studied, and the results under the CBT loading condition show that the forming limits of post-die-entry material largely depends on the strain, stress, and hardening distributions through the thickness direction. Reduced forming limits are observed for small die radius case. Furthermore, the proposed M-K analysis provides a new understanding of the FLD after this complex bending-unbending-stretching loading condition, which also can be used to evaluate the real process design of sheet metal stamping, especially when the ratio of die entry radii to the metal thickness becomes small. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employing the nanoparticle-based planar laser scattering (NPLS), supersonic flow over a delta-winged vortex generator on a flat plate was experimentally investigated in a supersonic quiet wind tunnel at Ma = 2.68. The fine structures of the flow field, shock waves, separation vortices, wake, and boundary layer transition were observed in the NPLS images. According to the time-correlation of the NPLS images and the measurement results of particle image velocimetry, the structural model of the flow field was improved further, and coherent wake structures were observed, which is of significance theoretically and in engineering application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Measurement of bi-materials interface bonding strength is crucial for the design and application of structures with two or more materials since bi-material interface debonding is one of the major modes of failures for these structures. However, accurate determination of the interface bonding strength is not an easy task due to the discontinuity of material properties at the interface. There may exist a stress singularity at the edges of bi-material interface, where the debonding usually initiates from. A new specimen design that can eliminate the stress singularity is proposed. In practical applications, the interface failure often occurs under the actions of combined interface normal and shear stresses. Therefore, a biaxial normal-shear bonding strength envelope is required for practical applications. This paper presents a new experimental method integrated with finite element analysis and an iterative algorithm to determine the interface strength envelope between aluminum and epoxy polymer materials, in which the former is considered as an elastic isotropic material and the latter as a linear viscoelastic material. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

SUMMARY Nonmuscle myosin IIA (myosin IIA) is a force-producing protein involved in the process of cell migration. Its expression has been considered as a bad prognostic indicator in stage I lung adenocarcinoma. However, the expression and clinical significance of myosin IIA in esophageal cancer has not been explored. In this study, we investigate the expression level of myosin IIA in 50 esophageal squamous cancer and 30 adjacent normal esophageal tissues by immunohistochemical staining and correlated its expression with clinicopathological features. Myosin IIA was expressed in all esophageal squamous cancer tissues (100%) and 8 of 30 adjacent normal tissues (26.7%, P= 0.000). In cancer tissues, elevated myosin IIA expression level was significantly correlated with increasing metastatic lymph nodes, poorer cancer differentiation, and advanced tumor stage. Further univariate analysis suggested that strong myosin IIA expression was associated with a significantly shorter overall survival ( P= 0.021). In addition, MYH9 SiRNA was transfected into esophageal squamous cancer cell line (KYSE-510) to study the role of myosin IIA in cell migration. SiRNA-mediated depletion of myosin IIA in KYSE-510 cells significantly increased cell-matrix adhesion and attenuated cell migration ability ( P= 0.000). In conclusion, these findings indicate that overexpression of myosin IIA may contribute to the progression and poor prognosis of esophageal squamous cancer, and this effect may be associated with increased cancer cell migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of the occurrence of Dirofilaria immitis, Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis and Anaplasma phagocytophium in dogs was undertaken in the People's Republic of China between October 2008 and October 2009. A total of 600 blood samples were taken from dogs in four cities in China: 300 in Beijing, 150 in Shenzhen, 30 in Shanghai and 120 in Zhengzhou. All samples were tested for the heartworm antigen and antibodies of canine B. burgdorferi, E. canis and A. phagocytophium by using the canine SNAP® 4Dx® test kit. The occurrence of D. immitis, B. burgdorferi, E. canis and A. phagocytophium was 1.17% (7/600), 0.17% (1/600), 2.17% (13/600) and 0.5% (3/600), respectively. In Shenzhen city 2% (3/150), 8.67% (13/150) and 2% (3/150) of samples were positive for D. immitis, E. canis and A. phagocytophium, respectively. The occurrence of heartworm antigen was 0.33% (1/300) in Beijing, 2.00% (3/150) in Shenzhen, 3.33% (1/30) in Shanghai and 1.67% (2/120) in Zhengzhou. We found E. canis and A. phagocytophium only at one site, Shenzhen, while the only occurrence of B. burgdorferi was at Beijing. In conclusion, the dog population in China is at potential risk for D. immitis, B. burgdorferi, E. canis and A. phagocytophium infection, the risk being especially high in southern China. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the secondary chamber of ducted rocket, there exists a relative speed between boron particles and air stream. Hence, the ignition laws under static conditions cannot be simply applied to represent the actual ignition process of boron particles, and it is required to study the effect of forced convective on the ignition of boron particles. Preheating of boron particles in gas generator makes it possible to utilize the velocity difference between gas and particles in secondary chamber for removal of the liquid oxide layer with the aid of Stoke's forces. An ignition model of boron particles is formulated for the oxide layer removal by considering that it results from a boundary layer stripping mechanism. The shearing action exerted by the high-speed flow causes a boundary layer to be formed in the surface of the liquid oxide layer, and the stripping away of this layer accounts for the accelerated ignition of boron particles. Compared with the King model, as the ignition model of boron particles is formulated for the oxide layer removal by considering that it results from a boundary layer stripping mechanism, the oxide layer thickness thins at all times during the particle ignition and lower the ignition time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Several lines of clinical evidence support the idea that fragile X syndrome (FXS) may involve a dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function [ J Dev Behav Pediatr 21:278–282; Psychoneuroendocrinology 27:855–872]. We had tested this idea in a mouse model of FXS (Fmr1 KO) and found that the hormonal response to acute stress was similar to that of wild-type (WT) mice [ Psychoneuroendocrinology 33:883–889]. We report here responses to chronic stress (CS) in Fmr1 KO mice. Following restraint for 120 min/d, 10 consecutive days, we assessed dendrite and spine morphology in basolateral amygdala (BLA). We also monitored behavior in an elevated plus maze (EPM) and the hormonal response to this novel spatial environment. After CS, mice of both genotypes underwent adrenal hypertrophy, but effects were greater in WT mice. Behavior in the EPM indicated that only WT mice had the expected increase in anxiety following CS. Serum corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels were both increased following the spatial novelty of EPM, and there were no differences between genotypes in the hormonal responses. BLA dendritic branching increased proximal to the soma in WT, but in Fmr1 KO mice branching was unaffected close to the soma and slightly decreased at one point distal to the soma. Similarly, spine density on apical and basal dendrites increased in WT but decreased in Fmr1 KO mice. Spine length on apical and basal dendrites increased in WT but was unaffected in Fmr1 KO mice. These differences in behavioral response and effects on neuron morphology in BLA suggest a diminished adaptive response of Fmr1 KO mice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Outbreaks of influenza cause considerable public health concerns and pose a potential threat of a global pandemic. In this paper, we describe some of our recent work on modeling of influenza virus with an IBM Blue Gene® supercomputer. The goal is to predict which mutations [on the viral glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA)] are likely to occur in the next flu season, which mutations might escape antibody (Ab) neutralization, and which mutations might cause its receptor binding specificity to switch (e.g., from avian to human). We have analyzed more than 4,000 influenza A/H3N2 HA sequences from 1968 to 2010 to model the evolutionary path using a weighted mutual information method, which allows us to build a site transition network to predict antigenic drifts. We then used large-scale free energy perturbation calculations to study the mutation-induced effects on the antigen-Ab and antigen-receptor bindings. For example, we found that a single mutation T131I on H3N2 HA can decrease the HA-Ab binding affinity by 5.2 ± 0.9 kcal/mol, in excellent agreement with recent experimental results. We also found that a double mutation, i.e., V135S and A138S, could potentially switch the H5N1 HA binding specificity from avian to human, thus allowing the virus to gain a foothold in the human population. Detailed analyses also reveal a molecular picture of the influenza virus Ab and receptor binding mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precipitation behaviors of TaC in reduced activation steels are investigated by the means of experimental and theoretical model. A continuous model based on the Langer-Schwartz theory for nucleation, growth, and coarsening was developed for both homogeneous and heterogeneous precipitation. Applying this model, an extensive data set (the precipitation size and density) including experimental and reported results has been well described. The effects of the thermodynamics parameters on the microstructure were discussed. TaC showed a low coarsening rate during tempering as the solubility of tantalum in the ferrite matrix is quite small with a value of 10 at 1023 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructure and mechanical properties of 30Si2CrNi4MoNb ultrahigh strength steel were investigated after austenitising over a range of temperature between 1133 and 1483 K. The experimental results show that the isotropy of impact toughness and mechanical properties were greatly improved due to the disappearance of undissolved aligned second phase when the austenitising temperature was over 1233 K. When the austenitising temperature was over 1383 K, martensite lath and packet abnormally grew up due to dissolution of spheroidal Nb rich carbonitrides; both the platelet size and morphology of martensite were changed, which has an effect on the mechanical properties of the samples. It was noticed that the finer self-tempered carbides, which strengthened martensitic matrix, appeared after austenitising temperature over 1283 K. The strength profiles show a marked plateau for the samples austenitised from 1283 to 1433 K; however, the strength was deteriorated due to coarsening of these self-tempered carbides at 1483 K. It was confirmed that calcium treatment can help improve the isotropy of mechanical properties by modifying sulphide inclusion morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new sesquiterpene lactones, 1beta-sulfate-5alpha, 6betaH-eudesma-3-en-12, 6alpha-olide (1) and 1beta-(p-hydroxyphenyl acetyl)-15-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-5alpha, 6betaH-eudesma-3-en-12, 6alpha-olide (2) were isolated from Sonchus arvensis L. (Asteraceae), together with eight known compounds. Their structures were elucidated through spectroscopic and chemical methods. They were evaluated for antibacterial activity. Among them, compounds 1 and 7 exhibited antibacterial activity against oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 with MIC values of 15.6 and 62.5 microg/ml, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparing with the ordinary conducting wires, HTS wires have primary advantages of low loss and high current carrying capacity (as much as 100 times more than that of ordinary conducting wires). HTS wires, as a new type material, now are being widely applied to a great variety of areas. The R&D and fabrication of the Bi-2223 HTS wires at Innova Superconductor Technology Co., Ltd (InnoST) are introduced, including the main research results of cutting down the manufacture cost, improving the performance of the HTS wires and developing the diversified HTS wires. Meanwhile some HTS magnets and HTS current leads that we have produced over the past few years are introduced, such as 1.5 T Ag-sheathed Bi-2223 magnet and 15 kA HTS current lead, which is used in TOKAMAK system, and so on. The welding joint resistance of Bi-2223 wire is also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetization properties of (Tb0.2Pr0.8)(Fe0.4Co0.6)1.9− xC x ( $x=0$ –0.5) were investigated in a pulsed high magnetic field. Obvious unsymmetry magnetic hysteresis loops were observed, in which the magnetization measured in the second(negative) magnetic field route was larger than that measured in the first(positive) one. Meanwhile, the unsymmetry of the hysteresis loops was C doping levels, magnetic fields and temperatures dependent. The experimental results suggest that the unusual hysteresis phenomenon result mainly from the collapse of the pinning center and the formation of ferromagnetic(FM) pseudo-domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple sequence repeat (SSR), or microsatellite markers, are codominant, abundant and hypervariable molecular markers from eukaryotic genomes that are being widely used in genetic mapping, phylogenetic studies, and marker-assisted selection. Currently, the number of SSR markers available from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) genomic libraries is limited. This study was conducted to identify additional SSR markers in the alfalfa genome and to evaluate their ability to separate the nine historically recognized progenitors of North American cultivated alfalfa (African, Chilean, Falcata, Flemish, Indian, Ladak, Peruvian, Turkistan, and Varia), as well as seven additional accessions of M. sativa ssp. sativa, falcata, and coerulea and the model legume M. truncatula. Genomic DNA from the autotetraploid alfalfa germplasm W10 was used to develop 81 primer pairs, which amplified SSRs containing AC, AT, CT, CTT, GAT, and GGT motifs. The majority (96%) of the primer pairs were functional and 61(78.2%) detected 2 to 11 polymorphic fragments among the accessions. A dendrogram was constructed using cluster analysis from these data, representing three main clusters: (i) diploid ssp. falcata; (ii) M. truncatula; and (iii) all remaining entries. Additional separation of some accessions [M. truncatula ('Jemalong'), Ladak ('Ladak'), Fall dormancy 11 (UC-1465), Indian (Sirsa Type 9), Flemish ('Dupuit'), Peruvian ('Hairy Peruvian'), and African 2 ('Moapa')] was obtained through multiple correspondence analysis. These genomic alfalfa SSRs have excellent utility for polymorphic assessment with potential application for phylogenetic and genetic mapping studies of alfalfa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cases of xylitol poisoning in dogs are increasing as a result of ingestion of xylitol-containing products. Eighteen adult, clinically normal Pekingese dogs were orally dosed with 1 or 4 g/kg xylitol in aqueous solution. Blood samples were collected before and after dosing. Plasma insulin concentrations of both treated groups rose sharply from 20 min after xylitol dosing, peaking at 40 min. Hypoglycemia followed the increase in insulin concentration, with blood glucose values started to decrease 30 min after dosing. Other plasma biochemistry changes associated with xylitol administration were increased alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities, hypophosphatemia, hypokalemia, and hypercalcemia. Plasma sodium and chloride concentrations remained normal. This study established a biochemical basis for diagnosis and treatment of xylitol poisoning in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]